Polygonum marinense

Polygonum marinense is a rare North American species of flowering plants in the buckwheat family known by the common name Marin knotweed. It is endemic to California, where it is known from just a few locations north and east of San Francisco Bay.[1]

Polygonum marinense
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Polygonum
Species:
P. marinense
Binomial name
Polygonum marinense
T.R.Mert. & P.H.Raven 1965

The taxonomy of the plant is uncertain. It has been suggested that the species may be native to the Mediterranean, and that the California specimens may actually be introduced.[2][3] If, however, it is a true Bay Area endemic, the plant is rare and threatened by habitat destruction and disturbance.[4] It is a resident of salt marsh and other wet coastal habitat.

Polygonum marinense is an annual herb producing a ribbed, reddish stem growing prostrate or erect to a maximum height near 40 centimeters (16 inches). The narrow oval or lance-shaped leaves are alternately arranged along the slender stem. Each reddish leaf has a funnel-shaped stipule that wraps around the leaf base to form an ochrea. Flowers occur in the leaf axils. They are greenish with white or pink-tinged edges.[2]

References
  1. Calflora taxon report, University of California, Polygonum marinense T. Mert. & Raven, Marin knotweed
  2. Flora of North America, Polygonum marinense T. R. Mertens & P. H. Raven, 1965. Marin knotweed
  3. Mertens, Thomas Robert & Raven, Peter Hamilton. 1965. Madroño 18(3): 87–88
  4. California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Profile


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