Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

2. POLYGONUM Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 359. 1753, nom. cons.

蓼属 liao shu

Li Anjen (李安仁 Li An-ren); Alisa E. Grabovskaya-Borodina, Suk-pyo Hong, John McNeill, Hideaki Ohba, Chong-wook Park

Herbs, rarely subshrubs, or small shrubs, rarely dioecious. Stems erect, prostrate, or ascending, usually with conspicuously
swollen nodes, glabrous or pubescent, rarely prickly. Leaves simple, alternate, subsessile; leaf blade variously shaped, margin entire;
ocrea tubular, membranous, margin entire or lacerate, apex truncate or oblique. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, racemose, spicate,
capitate, or paniculate, sometimes flowers fascicled or solitary in axils of leaves. Pedicel often articulate. Flowers bisexual, rarely
unisexual; bracts and bracteoles membranous. Perianth persistent, 5(or 4)-parted. Stamens 7 or 8, rarely 4. Styles 2 or 3, deciduous,
mostly elongate. Achenes trigonous or biconvex, rarely biconcave.
About 230 species: worldwide, mostly in N temperate regions; 113 species (23 endemic) in China.

Treatments of Polygonum and related genera (subfamily Polygonoideae), e.g., those by Haraldson (Symb. Bot. Upsal. 22(2): 1–95. 1978) and
Ronse Decraene & Akeroyd (Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 98: 321–371. 1988), have segregated species of Polygonum in the broad sense adopted here into two
separate tribes, Polygoneae and Persicarieae. As represented in China, the former is restricted to P. sect. Polygonum, i.e., species 1–16 below
(Polygonum s.str.), along with various other genera, e.g., Fagopyrum (incl. Pteroxygonum) by Haraldson, and Fallopia (incl. Reynoutria) by Ronse
Decraene & Akeroyd. The remainder of Polygonum in the broad sense (species 17–113 below) is generally assigned to Persicaria (or a varying
number of segregate genera, such as Aconogonon and Bistorta) which, with Antenoron and Koenigia (and Fagopyrum, incl. Pteroxygonum by Ronse
Decraene & Akeroyd), comprises the tribe Persicarieae. Of the six sections of Polygonum recognized here, the first, P. sect. Polygonum, represents
Polygonum in the narrow sense, and the remaining five either fall within a broadly defined genus, Persicaria, or are variously recognized as distinct
genera, e.g., Aconogonon and Bistorta by Haraldson. As circumscribed in earlier work (e.g., Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. 14(1), 1856), P. sect.
Cephalophilon included a number of species now treated as belonging to the genus Koenigia; Ronse Decraene & Akeroyd (op. cit.) treated the residue
of P. sect. Cephalophilon and P. sect. Echinocaulon as components of an expanded Persicaria sect. Persicaria.

1a. Flowers in axillary fascicles, if in spikes then with leaves; petioles articulate at base; ocrea membranous, 2-cleft or
lacerate; filaments dilated at base (1. P. sect. Polygonum).
2a. Subshrub or small shrub.
3a. Subshrub.
4a. Stems prostrate or ascending; leaves linear, green, apex spinose ............................................................. 1. P. paronychioides
4b. Stems erect; leaves elliptic or oblong, gray-green, apex not spinose ............................................................. 3. P. schischkinii
3b. Small shrub.
5a. Leaves orbicular or broadly elliptic, 1–1.3 cm wide; achenes densely granular puncticulate, slightly
shiny ........................................................................................................................................................ 2. P. intramongolicum
5b. Leaves oblong or elliptic, 3–4 mm wide; achenes smooth, shiny ......................................................................... 4. P. popovii
2b. Annual or perennial herb.
6a. Perennial herb; roots ligneous; petioles 2–5 mm .................................................................................................. 5. P. cognatum
6b. Annual herb; roots not ligneous; petioles very short or nearly absent.
7a. Leaves linear or subulate.
8a. Stems slender, glabrous; perianth membranous, cleft to 3/4; achenes biconvex, smooth, shiny ............. 13. P. molliiforme
8b. Stems not slender, scabrous or papillate; perianth herbaceous, cleft to 1/3 or 1/2; achenes trigonous,
punctate, slightly shiny.
9a. Perianth cleft to 1/3; achenes densely punctate; flowers 1 or 2 ........................................................ 10. P. polycnemoides
9b. Perianth cleft to 1/2; achenes slightly punctate; flower solitary ............................................................... 15. P. acerosum
7b. Leaves lanceolate, oblanceolate, elliptic, or oblong.
10a. Stems erect; inflorescence spicate, terminal.
11a. Leaves caducous; achenes smooth, shiny ......................................................................................... 12. P. argyrocoleon
11b. Leaves not caducous; achenes densely punctate, slightly shiny .............................................................. 11. P. patulum
10b. Stems prostrate, procumbent, ascending, or erect; flowers 1–7, in axillary fascicles.
12a. Pedicels articulate at middle; achenes smooth, shiny ................................................................................ 9. P. plebeium
12b. Pedicels articulate at apex; achenes densely punctate or granular-striate, opaque or slightly shiny.
13a. Achenes densely granular-striate, opaque.
14a. Perianth cleft to 2/3–3/4; achenes included or slightly exceeding persistent perianth ....................... 6. P. aviculare
14b. Perianth cleft to 1/2; achenes included in persistent perianth ......................................................... 8. P. arenastrum
13b. Achenes densely minutely punctate, slightly shiny.
15a. Plant gray-green; ocrea silvery, with inconspicuous veins; achenes included in persistent
perianth ............................................................................................................................................. 14. P. acetosum
15b. Plant green; ocrea: lower part brownish, upper part white, membranous, with conspicuous veins;
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

achenes exceeding persistent perianth.

16a. Ocrea 5–9-veined; leaf blade adaxially with conspicuous midvein and lateral veins .................... 16. P. rigidum
16b. Ocrea 3- or 4-veined; leaf blade adaxially with conspicuous midvein and inconspicuous
lateral veins .................................................................................................................................... 7. P. humifusum
1b. Inflorescence spicate, capitate, or paniculate; ocrea neither 2-cleft nor lacerate; petiole not articulate; filaments
not dilated at base.
17a. Stems and petioles with retrorse prickles (6. P. sect. Echinocaulon).
18a. Ocrea expanding into green herbaceous wings at apex.
19a. Leaf blade triangular-peltate; perianth accrescent and fleshy in fruit ...................................................... 100. P. perfoliatum
19b. Leaf blade not triangular-peltate, perianth not accrescent nor fleshy in fruit.
20a. Leaves triangular or narrowly triangular.
21a. Apex of ocrea with green reniform-orbicular wings; peduncles shortly glandular hairy .................. 104. P. senticosum
21b. Apex of ocrea with green lanceolate-auriculate wings; peduncles not glandular hairy .......................... 105. P. darrisii
20b. Leaves hastate or narrowly hastate.
22a. Leaves narrowly hastate, both surfaces densely stellate hairy; wings of ocrea with dentate
margin ............................................................................................................................................... 101. P. maackianum
22b. Leaves hastate, both surfaces sparsely bristly, sometimes rarely stellate hairy; wings of ocrea
with entire or crenate margin.
23a. Perianth 5-parted; achenes trigonous ................................................................................................ 102. P. thunbergii
23b. Perianth 4-parted; achenes biconvex ............................................................................................. 103. P. biconvexum
18b. Ocrea not expanding into wings at apex.
24a. Apex of ocrea oblique, shortly ciliate or not ciliate.
25a. Apex of ocrea shortly ciliate; peduncles with glandular hairs; bracts funnel-shaped.
26a. Leaves lanceolate or narrowly oblong, base sagittate; apex acute; perianth 4-parted ................. 106. P. praetermissum
26b. Leaves ovate-elliptic, base hastate or cordate, apex acuminate; perianth 5-parted ........................ 107. P. dissitiflorum
25b. Apex of ocrea not ciliate; peduncles with or without glandular hairs; bracts elliptic.
27a. Leaves basally sagittate; styles 3, connate to below middle; achenes ovoid, trigonous ..................... 108. P. sagittatum
27b. Leaves basally cuneate, truncate, or subhastate; styles 2, free, achenes nearly orbicular,
biconvex ............................................................................................................................................ 109. P. dichotomum
24b. Apex of ocrea truncate, long ciliate.
28a. Leaves basally cuneate; spikes interrupted at base; bracts funnel-shaped; peduncles densely
glandular hairy ....................................................................................................................................... 110. P. bungeanum
28b. Leaves basally not cuneate; spikes not interrupted; bracts elliptic or ovate; peduncles densely
pubescent and sparsely glandular hairy.
29a. Leaves ovate or oblong-ovate; inflorescence spicate, several spikes aggregated, becoming
panicle-like .......................................................................................................................................... 111. P. muricatum
29b. Leaves lanceolate or elliptic; inflorescence spicate, not aggregated nor panicle-like.
30a. Leaves basally weakly cordate, truncate, or subsagittate; base of ocrea with dense retrorse
prickles; pedicels 1–2 mm, glabrous ................................................................................................. 112. P. strigosum
30b. Leaves basally sagittate or subhastate; base of ocrea without retrorse prickles; pedicels
4–6 mm, with glandular hairs ............................................................................................... 113. P. hastatosagittatum
17b. Stems and petioles without retrorse prickles.
31a. Inflorescence spicate.
32a. Stems branched, without basal leaves, sometimes with slender horizontal rhizomes; apex of ocrea
truncate, usually ciliate; annual or perennial herb (2. P. sect. Persicaria).
33a. Perennial herb.
34a. Amphibious plant; leaves of aquatic plants oblong, basally subcordate; those of terrestrial plants
lanceolate, basally rounded .................................................................................................................. 17. P. amphibium
34b. Terrestrial plant; leaves lanceolate, basally cuneate, rarely subrounded.
35a. Leaf blade sericeous on both surfaces; cilia of ocrea 4–6 mm.
36a. Leaves narrowly cuneate at base; achenes orbicular, biconvex; styles 2, free ................................ 18. P. pulchrum
36b. Leaves cuneate at base; achenes ellipsoid, trigonous; styles 3, connate below middle .............. 19. P. huananense
35b. Leaf blade appressed hispidulous or pubescent on both surfaces; cilia of ocrea 1–2 cm.
37a. Cilia of ocrea 1–1.2 cm; stems glabrous, sometimes sparsely hispidulous; leaf blade sparsely appressed
hispidulous on both surfaces; achenes 2.5–3 mm ........................................................................... 20. P. japonicum
37b. Cilia of ocrea 1.5–2 cm; stems pubescent; leaf blade pubescent on both surfaces; achenes
1.5–2 mm .......................................................................................................................................... 21. P. barbatum
33b. Annual herb.
38a. Plant glabrous throughout ......................................................................................................................... 22. P. glabrum
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

38b. Plant not glabrous throughout.

39a. Peduncles glandular hairy or glandular.
40a. Peduncles glandular hairy.
41a. Peduncles, stems, and branches densely glandular hairy and hirsute; achenes trigonous ............ 23. P. viscosum
41b. Peduncles sparsely glandular hairy or glabrous; stems and branches sparsely pubescent or
glabrescent; achenes biconvex, rarely trigonous ......................................................................... 24. P. persicaria
40b. Peduncles glandular.
42a. Peduncles sparsely viscid-glandular; perianth 5(or 4)-parted; achenes ovoid, trigonous .......... 25. P. viscoferum
42b. Peduncles glandular; perianth 4(or 5)-parted; achenes broadly ovoid, biconcave ................ 26. P. lapathifolium
39b. Peduncles not glandular hairy and glandular.
43a. Apex of ocrea usually with green leaflike wing; leaf blade 5–12 cm wide ..................................... 27. P. orientale
43b. Apex of ocrea without wing; leaf blade 0.3–4 cm wide.
44a. Leaves dark blue-green when dry.
45a. Leaves ovate or broadly elliptic, apex obtuse or slightly acute; achenes broadly ovoid,
trigonous .................................................................................................................................... 28. P. tinctorium
45b. Leaves elliptic-ovate or broadly lanceolate, apex acute; achenes ovoid, biconvex ................ 29. P. assamicum
44b. Leaves not dark blue-green when dry.
46a. Perianth punctate.
47a. Leaves ovate, 1–2.5 cm; tepals 4–5 mm ........................................................................... 30. P. paralimicola
47b. Leaves lanceolate, 4–10 cm; tepals 2–3 mm.
48a. Stems glabrous; perianth white or pink above; leaves with peppery taste ....................... 31. P. hydropiper
48b. Stems sparsely hispidulous; perianth red above; leaves without peppery taste ................ 32. P. pubescens
46b. Perianth not punctate.
49a. Spikes dense, not interrupted.
50a. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, 4–8 mm wide; achenes biconvex, 1–1.5 mm ............... 37. P. kawagoeanum
50b. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 10–25 mm wide; achenes trigonous,
2.5–3 mm.
51a. Stems erect; leaves 6–10 cm, base cuneate; pedicels 7–8 mm ....................................... 38. P. jucundum
51b. Stems stoloniferous, rooting from nodes; leaves 2–4 cm, base broadly cuneate;
pedicels 5–6 mm ................................................................................................................. 39. P. limicola
49b. Spikes lax, slender, interrupted.
52a. Cilia of ocrea 6–8 mm, achenes trigonous.
53a. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or ovate, apex caudate-acuminate, base broadly cuneate ......... 33. P. posumbu
53b. Leaves lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, apex acute or acuminate, base cuneate or
rounded .......................................................................................................................... 34. P. longisetum
52b. Cilia of ocrea 0.5–5 mm; achenes biconvex, rarely trigonous.
54a. Spikes to 10 cm, pendulous, interrupted; cilia of ocrea 3–5 mm ....................................... 35. P. taquetii
54b. Spikes 3–5 cm, erect, interrupted below; cilia of ocrea 0.5–3 mm ................................... 36. P. foliosum
32b. Stems simple, rarely branched, with basal leaves; rhizomes ligneous, large, usually curved; apex of ocrea
oblique, not ciliate; perennial herb, subshrub, or small shrub (3. P. sect. Bistorta).
55a. Subshrub or small shrub.
56a. Subshrub; leaves oblanceolate or lanceolate; spikes dense, 1–1.5 cm in diam.; tepals obovate .................. 59. P. affine
56b. Small shrub; leaves elliptic or lanceolate; spikes lax, 0.5–0.8 cm in diam.; tepals elliptic.
57a. Leaves elliptic, 1–2 cm; tepals narrowly elliptic; stamens exserted ............................................ 60. P. vacciniifolium
57b. Leaves lanceolate, 3–15 cm; tepals broadly elliptic; stamens included ................................................... 61. P. emodi
55b. Perennial herb.
58a. Inflorescence lower part with bulbils.
59a. Basal leaves ovate or narrowly ovate; cauline leaves: upper ones sessile, clasping ....................... 40. P. suffultoides
59b. Basal leaves oblong, ovate-lanceolate or linear; cauline leaves not clasping .................................... 41. P. viviparum
58b. Inflorescence without bulbils.
60a. Basal leaves basally decurrent along petiole, forming wings or slightly decurrent.
61a. Basal leaves narrowly ovate or orbicular-ovate, 3–7 cm wide.
62a. Basal leaves narrowly ovate, apex acute; cauline leaves clasping ............................................... 42. P. pacificum
62b. Basal leaves orbicular-ovate, apex obtuse; cauline leaves not clasping .................................... 43. P. honanense
61b. Basal leaves neither narrowly ovate nor orbicular-ovate, 1–3(–5) cm wide.
63a. Rhizomes horizontal, not curved; ocrea brown throughout, cleft to base ............................ 44. P. sinomontanum
63b. Rhizomes curved; ocrea: lower part green, upper part brown, cleft to middle.
64a. Cauline leaves: upper ones clasping.
65a. Leaves glabrous on both surfaces; basal leaves basally cuneate; cauline leaves auriculate;
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

spikes 4–8 cm, ca. 1 cm in diam. .................................................................................... 45. P. manshuriense

65b. Leaves densely gray-white pubescent abaxially; basal leaves basally rounded or
subcordate; cauline leaves not auriculate; spikes 2–3 cm, 1–1.5 cm in diam. ...................... 46. P. ochotense
64b. Cauline leaves: upper ones not clasping.
66a. Leaves subleathery; perianth purple-red, tepals 4–5 mm; styles 3, connate to below .............. 47. P. milletii
66b. Leaves papery; perianth pinkish or white, tepals 2–3.5 mm; styles 3, free.
67a. Spikes 2–3 cm, 1.5–2 in diam.; tepals 3–3.5 mm ............................................................... 48. P. ellipticum
67b. Spikes 4–8 cm, 0.8–1.2 in diam.; tepals 2–3 mm.
68a. Basal leaves narrowly oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 1–2 cm wide ......................... 49. P. alopecuroides
68b. Basal leaves broadly lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 2–5 cm wide ..................................... 50. P. bistorta
60b. Basal leaves basally not decurrent.
69a. Stems simple or branched; basal leaves ovate.
70a. Rhizomes usually torulose; stems slender; leaf margin not revolute, apex acuminate or
acute ................................................................................................................................................ 51. P. suffultum
70b. Rhizomes horizontal, not torulose; stems robust; leaf margin slightly revolute, apex long
acuminate ................................................................................................................................. 52. P. amplexicaule
69b. Stems simple; basal leaves not ovate.
71a. Rhizomes horizontal; spikes lax, nutant; pedicels 10–12 mm, articulate at middle ...................... 53. P. griffithii
71b. Rhizomes curved; spikes erect; pedicels 3–6 mm, articulate at apex.
72a. Basal leaves oblong or lanceolate; perianth pinkish or white, tepals 2–3 mm.
73a. Spikes 1.5–2.5 cm, 1–1.5 cm in diam.; basal leaves oblong, lanceolate, or linear-
lanceolate; anthers black-purple ..................................................................................... 54. P. macrophyllum
73b. Spikes 4–6 cm, 0.8–12 cm in diam.; basal leaves narrowly oblong or lanceolate;
anthers red-brown ................................................................................................................. 55. P. paleaceum
72b. Basal leaves elliptic, ovate-elliptic, or ovate-lanceolate; perianth red or purple-red,
tepals 3–5 mm.
74a. Leaf blade yellow-brown tomentose abaxially ................................................................ 56. P. subscaposum
74b. Leaf blade glabrous or sparsely pubescent.
75a. Basal leaves elliptic, veins purple-red; styles 3, connate to below middle ......... 57. P. purpureonervosum
75b. Basal leaves ovate-elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, veins green; styles 3, free ....................... 58. P. coriaceum
31b. Inflorescence capitate or paniculate.
76a. Inflorescence capitate (4. P. sect. Cephalophilon).
77a. Perennial herb.
78a. Leaves palmate ........................................................................................................................................ 62. P. palmatum
78b. Leaves not palmate.
79a. Ocrea glabrous, 1.5–3 cm, apex oblique; perianth accrescent in fruit, fleshy ...................................... 63. P. chinense
79b. Ocrea glandular hairy or pilose, less than 1.2 cm, apex truncate; perianth not accrescent in fruit,
not fleshy.
80a. Stems creeping or prostrate.
81a. Stems ligneous at base, tufted; leaves ovate or elliptic; petioles 2–3 mm; ocrea glandular
hairy ............................................................................................................................................... 64. P. capitatum
81b. Stems not ligneous at base, not tufted; leaves cordate or ovate-cordate; petioles 1–2 cm;
ocrea pilose ................................................................................................................................. 65. P. strindbergii
80b. Stems erect or decumbent.
82a. Leaves pinnatifid ........................................................................................................................ 66. P. runcinatum
82b. Leaves entire.
83a. Leaves not decurrent at base; petioles not winged ...................................................................... 69. P. wallichii
83b. Leaves decurrent at base; petioles winged.
84a. Leaves ovate-oblong, apex long acuminate .......................................................................... 67. P. umbrosum
84b. Leaves broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, apex acuminate .......................................... 68. P. microcephalum
77b. Annual herb.
85a. Stems prostrate, tufted; leaves narrowly lanceolate or lanceolate ................................................... 70. P. criopolitanum
85b. Stems erect or decumbent; leaves ovate or lanceolate-ovate.
86a. Leaves sparsely long glandular hairy on both surfaces ............................................................................ 71. P. humile
86b. Leaves pilose, strigose, or glabrous on both surfaces.
87a. Peduncles with glandular hairs; petioles winged.
88a. Leaves sparsely pellucid yellow glandular punctate; petioles winged; bracts glabrous .............. 72. P. nepalense
88b. Leaves not glandular punctate; petioles narrowly winged; bracts sparsely glandular hairy .......... 73. P. glaciale
87b. Peduncles without glandular hairs; petioles not winged.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

89a. Perianth 4-parted.

90a. Leaves obovate or elliptic, 3–6 mm, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely pilose abaxially ............. 77. P. fertile
90b. Leaves ovate, 1–1.5 cm, both surfaces pilose .................................................................... 78. P. sparsipilosum
89b. Perianth 5-parted.
91a. Leaves ovate, 4–8 mm, glabrous, base cordate; petioles short or nearly absent ................... 74. P. delicatulum
91b. Leaves ovate or lanceolate-ovate, 1–3 cm, strigose or pilose, base cuneate or subtruncate;
petioles 3–10 mm.
92a. Leaves strigose on both surfaces; stamens 3 or 4 ..................................................................... 75. P. filicaule
92b. Leaves pilose or glabrescent on both surfaces; stamens 8 ................................................ 76. P. cyanandrum
76b. Inflorescence paniculate (5. P. sect. Aconogonon).
93a. Subshrub.
94a. Perianth accrescent and fleshy in fruit, tepals elliptic; leaves elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, base
cuneate ............................................................................................................................................................ 79. P. molle
94b. Perianth not accrescent nor fleshy in fruit, tepals obovate; leaves not elliptic nor elliptic-lanceolate, base
rounded, cordate, or truncate, but cuneate in P. tibeticum.
95a. Branches forked; leaves subsessile, ovate, base rounded or subcordate ........................................... 80. P. tortuosum
95b. Branches not forked; leaves petiolate, lanceolate, elliptic, or oblong, base hastate-cordate,
subtruncate, or cuneate.
96a. Panicle spreading; leaves broadly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, or narrowly lanceolate or
narrowly oblong, 6–17 cm, base hastate-cordate or subtruncate ............................................... 81. P. polystachyum
96b. Panicle not spreading; leaves elliptic or obovate-oblong, 3–5 cm, base cuneate ............................. 82. P. tibeticum
93b. Perennial herb.
97a. Stems creeping, forming tufts; leaves orbicular or reniform.
98a. Leaves 0.3–0.5 cm in diam., base rounded; tepals elliptic; achenes broadly ovoid,
biconvex ................................................................................................................................. 83. P. nummulariifolium
98b. Leaves 1–4 cm in diam.; base cordate; tepals obovate; achenes ellipsoid, trigonous ........................... 84. P. forrestii
97b. Stems erect; leaves not orbicular or reniform.
99a. Stems simple, with basal leaves; flowers unisexual and plants dioecious ............................................. 85. P. hookeri
99b. Stems branched, without basal leaves; flowers bisexual.
100a. Leaves ovate.
101a. Perianth red; pedicels articulate at middle .............................................................................. 86. P. songaricum
101b. Perianth white; pedicels articulate at apex or not articulate.
102a. Pedicels 3–4 mm, not articulate or ?articulate; achenes equaling persistent perianth ........... 87. P. coriarium
102b. Pedicels 1–2 mm, articulate at apex; achenes distinctly exceeding persistent perianth.
103a. Leaves basally cuneate, petioles short or nearly absent; achenes usually erect ............ 88. P. platyphyllum
103b. Leaves basally rounded, petioles 2–4 cm; achenes pendulous ............................................. 89. P. limosum
100b. Leaves elliptic or lanceolate to linear, or oblong, but narrowly ovate to broadly ovate in P.
campanulatum.
104a. Leaves basally usually hastate ..................................................................................................... 90. P. sibiricum
104b. Leaves basally not hastate.
105a. Tepals obovate, 3–4 mm wide.
106a. Leaf blade usually constricted below, base truncate or cuneate; bracts 1–1.5 cm;
pedicels pubescent .............................................................................................................. 96. P. pinetorum
106b. Leaf blade not constricted below, base broadly cuneate; bracts 2–3 mm; pedicels
glabrous.
107a. Pedicels articulate at apex; styles ca. 2 mm ............................................................. 97. P. campanulatum
107b. Pedicels not articulate at apex; styles ca. 0.5 mm.
108a. Leaf blade abaxially densely grayish tomentose ..................................................... 98. P. lichiangense
108b. Leaf blade abaxially pilose ....................................................................................... 99. P. cathayanum
105b. Tepals elliptic, 2–3 mm.
109a. Achenes distinctly exceeding persistent perianth.
110a.Stems branched from above middle, usually sparsely hirsute; branches not divaricate;
leaves ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, base broadly cuneate ............................................... 94. P. alpinum
110b.Stems branched from base, glabrous; branches divaricate; leaves lanceolate or oblong,
base cuneate or narrowly cuneate ................................................................................... 95. P. divaricatum
109b. Achenes included in persistent perianth.
111a. Leaves linear, 2–4 mm wide, margin conspicuously revolute .................................. 91. P. angustifolium
111b. Leaves lanceolate 5–15 mm wide, margin not revolute.
112a. Leaves lanceolate or linear lanceolate, 5–8 mm, base narrowly cuneate ..................... 92. P. ocreatum
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

112b. Leaves lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 8–15 mm wide, base broadly cuneate .......... 93. P. ajanense

1. Polygonum sect. Polygonum

萹蓄组 bian xu zu
Herbs or low shrubs. Petioles articulate at base; ocrea often laciniate. Flowers axillary, solitary or in small clusters, sometimes
forming lax leafy spikes. Perianth (4- or)5-parted, not enlarged in fruit. Stamens 5–8, reduced in number in outer whorl; filaments,
especially the inner, strongly dilated at base.
Between 50 and 80 species: worldwide; 16 species (one endemic) in China.

1. Polygonum paronychioides C. A. Meyer ex Hohenacker, Fu and Zhao (in Fl. Intramongol. 2: 57. 1978) previously publish-
Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 11: 356. 1838. ed this nomen novum; however, it was invalid under Art. 33.3 of the St.
Louis Code because they did not give a full and direct reference to the
线叶萹蓄 xian ye bian xu place of publication of the replaced synonym.

Polygonum englerianum H. Gross; P. himalayense H. 3. Polygonum schischkinii Ivanova ex Borodina, Rast.

Gross. Tsentral. Azii 9: 104. 1989.
Subshrubs prostrate or ascending, 5–15 cm tall, papillate. 新疆萹蓄 xin jiang bian xu
Petiole short, articulate; leaf blade green, linear, 8–15 × 0.7–1.5 Polygonum glareosum Schischkin, Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot.
mm, both surfaces scabrous, midvein conspicuous, base nar- Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk SSSR 7: 121. 1938, not Philippi
rowly cuneate, margin revolute, apex spinose; ocrea broadly (1895).
lanceolate, 5–8 mm, thinly membranous, hyaline, margin lacer-
Subshrubs erect, 20–30 cm tall, branched from base.
ate, apex acute. Flower solitary, axillary; bracts lanceolate,
Branches curved, angulate, glabrous. Petiole 1–2 mm, articulate
longer than perianth. Pedicel very short. Perianth pinkish, 5-
at base; leaf blade gray-green, elliptic or oblong, ×0.8–1.5 cm
cleft to 1/2; tepals unequal, outer 2 narrowly lanceolate, ca. 2
× 3–6 mm, leathery, both surfaces glabrous, abaxially with
mm, apex acuminate, inner 3 elliptic, short, apex obtuse. Sta-
prominent midvein, base cuneate, margin revolute, apex acute
mens 8; filaments dilated at base. Achenes included in persis-
or obtuse; ocrea: lower part brown, herbaceous, upper part
tent perianth, shiny, narrowly ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 2 mm,
white, membranous, 2-lobed. Inflorescence racemose, 4–7 cm;
smooth. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.
bracts green, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel ca. 1.5 mm.
Gravelly mountain slopes; ca. 3500 m. W Xizang (Zanda) [Af- Perianth green, margin pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals nar-
ghanistan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turk- rowly ovate, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8; filaments unequal. Styles 3;
menistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia]. stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-
2. Polygonum intramongolicum Borodina, Rast. Tsentral. brown, shiny, narrowly ovoid, trigonous, 3–3.5 mm. Fl. Jun–
Azii 9: 102. 1989. Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.
Gravelly areas, saline places; 600–1500 m. Xinjiang [Mongolia].
圆叶萹蓄 yuan ye bian xu
4. Polygonum popovii Borodina, Rast. Tsentral. Azii 9: 104.
Atraphaxis tortuosa Losinskaja, Izv. Glavn. Bot. Sada 1989.
SSSR 26: 6. 1927; Polygonum tortuosum (Losinskaja) Lovelius
(1975), not D. Don (1825). 库车萹蓄 ku che bian xu
Shrubs erect, 20–50 cm tall, branched. Bark brownish,
Shrubs erect, 40–50 cm tall, much branched. Bark gray-
longitudinally exfoliating; branchlets papillate. Leaves alter-
brown, exfoliating; branches curved; branchlets densely papil-
nate, usually fasciculate; petiole 1–2 mm, papillate, articulate;
late. Petiole short, base articulate; leaf blade gray-green abaxi- leaf blade green, oblong or elliptic, 0.7–1.5 cm × 3–4 mm,
ally, green adaxially, orbicular or broadly elliptic, 1–1.5 × 1–1.3 leathery, abaxially minutely papillate along midvein, adaxially
cm, subleathery, abaxially with prominent midvein and con- glabrous, with conspicuous midvein on both surfaces, base cu-
spicuous lateral veins, adaxially with conspicuous midvein, neate, margin revolute, apex obtuse; ocrea: lower part brown-
base broadly cuneate or rounded, margin crisped, apex obtuse; ish, herbaceous, upper part white, membranous, lacerate. Inflo-
ocrea brown, oblique, membranous, apex acute. Inflorescence rescence terminal, racemose; bracts 1(or 2)-flowered. Pedicel
terminal, racemose, lax, 3–5 cm; bracts brown, funnel-shaped, 1.5–2 mm, apex articulate. Perianth green, margin pinkish, 5-
membranous, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicel 3–4 mm, articulate parted, membranous; tepals elliptic, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8; fila-
at middle. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals obovate, ments dilated at base. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes black-
ca. 4 mm, veined, apex obtuse. Stamens 8, included; filaments brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 2–3 mm, smooth. Fl. Jun–Jul,
dilated at base. Styles 3, connate to below middle; stigmas 3, fr. Jul–Aug.
capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-brown, ● Dry mountain slopes; 1000–2600 m. Xinjiang (Tian Shan).
slightly shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 3.5–4 mm, densely
granular puncticulate. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug. 5. Polygonum cognatum Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 91. 1826.

Dry mountain slopes, hilly regions; 1000–2300 m. Nei Mongol 岩萹蓄 yan bian xu
[Mongolia]. Polygonum myriophyllum H. Gross; P. rupestre Karelin &
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Kirilov. 6b. Polygonum aviculare var. fusco-ochreatum (Komarov)

A. J. Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 25(1): 9. 1998.
Herbs perennial. Root ligneous, stout, ca. 1.5 cm in diam.
Stems prostrate, 8–15 cm, branched from base, angulate, mi- 褐鞘萹蓄 he qiao bian xu
nutely papillate along angles. Petiole 2–5 mm, base articulate;
Polygonum fusco-ochreatum Komarov, Fl. URSS 5: 719.
leaf blade elliptic, 1–2 cm × 5–13 mm, both surfaces glabrous,
1936; P. argenteum Skvortsov; P. fusco-ochreatum f. stans
abaxially with prominent midvein, adaxially with conspicuous
(Kitagawa) C. F. Fang; P. stans Kitagawa.
midvein; ocrea silvery, thinly membranous, hyaline, veined,
apex lacerate. Flowers 1–5, in axillary fascicles; bracts ca. as Ocrea brown throughout.
long as lower leaves, membranous, apex acuminate. Pedicel 1–
Near fields, roadsides; sea level to 900 m. Heilongjiang, Jilin,
3 mm. Perianth green, margin pinkish or white, 5-cleft to 1/2; Liaoning [Russia (Far East)].
tepals ovate, 1.5–2 mm, becoming hard in fruit. Stamens 8, in-
cluded; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. 7. Polygonum humifusum Merk ex C. Koch, Linnaea 22: 205.
Achenes included in persistent perianth, black, shiny, ovoid, 1849.
trigonous, 2.5–3 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep. 普通萹蓄 pu tong bian xu
Gravelly mountain slopes, dry riverbeds; 1400–4600 m. Nei Polygonum humifusum f. yamatutae (Kitagawa) C. F.
Mongol, Xinjiang [Kazakhstan, Kyrgzystan, Mongolia, Russia (Si-
Fang; P. mandshuricum Skvortsov; P. yamatutae Kitagawa.
beria), Tajikistan].
Herbs annual. Stems prostrate or ascending, 20–30 cm tall.
6. Polygonum aviculare Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 362. 1753.
Petiole very short, articulate at base; leaf blade elliptic or ob-
萹蓄 bian xu lanceolate, 1–1.5 cm × 3–5 mm, abaxially with slightly promi-
Herbs annual. Stems prostrate, ascending, or erect, 10–40 nent midvein and conspicuous lateral veins, adaxially with con-
cm tall, much branched from base. Petiole short or nearly ab- spicuous midvein and inconspicuous lateral veins, base narrow-
sent, articulate at base; leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly ellip- ly cuneate, apex slightly obtuse or acute; ocrea: lower part
tic, 1–4 cm × 3–12 mm, both surfaces glabrous, midvein and brownish, upper part white, membranous, 3- or 4-veined. Flow-
lateral veins conspicuous, base cuneate, margin entire, apex ers 2–5, in axillary fascicles. Perianth green, margin white or
acute or nearly obtuse; ocrea: lower part brown, upper part pinkish, 5-parted to 2/3; tepals oblong, 1.5–2 mm. Achenes
white or throughout brown, membranous, veined, apex lacerate. exceeding persistent perianth, dark brown, slightly shiny, nar-
Flowers 1–5; axillary; bracts thinly membranous. Pedicel slen- rowly ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, densely minutely punctate,
der, articulate at apex. Perianth green, margin white or pinkish, apex acute. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep.
5-cleft to 2/3–3/4; tepals elliptic, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8; fila-
Near fields, roadsides, in sand by riversides; sea level to 400 m.
ments dilated at base. Styles 3, free, short; stigmas capitate.
Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning [Mongolia, Russia; North America].
Achenes included or slightly exceeding persistent perianth,
black-brown, opaque, ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3 mm, minutely 8. Polygonum arenastrum Boreau, Fl. Centre France, ed. 3, 2:
granular striate. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug. 2n = 40, 60. 559. 1857.
Near fields, roadsides, waste places; sea level to 4200 m. Anhui, 伏地萹蓄 fu di bian xu
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hei-
longjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Polygonum planum Skvortsov; P. polyneuron Franchet &
Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Savatier; P. prostratum Skvortsov (1943), not R. Brown (1810),
Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [widely distributed in N nor Roxburgh ex D. Don (1825).
temperate zone; widely naturalized in S temperate zone].
Herbs annual. Stems procumbent or ascending, 15–30 cm
1a. Ocrea: lower part brown, upper part tall, branched from base. Petiole short, articulate at base; leaf
white ........................................................ 6a. var. aviculare blade elliptic or oblanceolate, 0.5–2 cm × 2–5 mm, both sur-
1b. Ocrea brown throughout ............. 6b. var. fusco-ochreatum faces with conspicuous veins, base narrowly cuneate, margin
entire, apex usually obtuse; ocrea white, 2–3 mm, membranous,
6a. Polygonum aviculare var. aviculare
5–7-veined, lacerate. Flowers 3–5, in axillary fascicles; bracts
萹蓄(原变种) bian xu (yuan bian zhong) narrowly ovate, apex acute. Pedicel articulate at apex. Perianth
green, 5-cleft to 1/2, veined, margin white; tepals oblong.
Polygonum aviculare var. heterophyllum Munshi & Javeid; Stamens 8; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3, very short; stig-
P. aviculare var. vegetum Ledebour; P. heterophyllum Lind- mas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, dark
man, nom. illeg. superfl.; P. monspeliense Thiebaut ex Persoon. brown, opaque, narrowly ovoid, trigonous, rarely biconvex, 2–
Ocrea: lower part brown, upper part white. 2.5 mm, densely minutely granular striate. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–
Sep. 2n = 40, 60.
Near fields, roadsides, waste places; sea level to 4200 m. Anhui,
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hei- In sand at riversides, grasslands; 100–300 m. Heilongjiang [Japan,
longjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Korea, Mongolia, Russia; Europe, North America; widely introduced
Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tai- elsewhere including Australia].
wan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [widely distributed in N tem- 9. Polygonum plebeium R. Brown, Prodr. 420. 1810.
perate zone; widely naturalized in S temperate zone].
铁马鞭 tie ma bian
This variety is used medicinally.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Polygonum aviculare Linnaeus var. minutiflorum Fran- branched; branchlets spreading. Leaves persistent; petiole short
chet; P. changii Kitagawa; P. humifusum Pallas ex Ledebour or nearly absent; leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate,
var. mandshuricum Skvortsov; P. parviflorum Y. L. Chang & abaxially with slightly prominent midvein and conspicuous
S. H. Li (1959), not Schott (1818), nor Gromov (1917); P. lateral veins, adaxially with conspicuous midvein and lateral
plebeium subsp. changii (Kitagawa) V. N. Voroschilov. veins, base narrow, apex acute; ocrea: lower part brown, upper
Herbs annual. Stems prostrate, 10–40 cm tall, much part white, tubular, 7–8 mm, membranous, 6- or 7-veined, usu-
branched from base, usually internodes shorter than leaves. ally lacerate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, interrupted. Pedi-
Petiole very short or nearly absent; leaf blade narrowly elliptic cel 1.5–2 mm, slender. Perianth green, margin pinkish, 5-part-
or oblanceolate, 5–15 × 2–4 mm, both surfaces with con- ed; tepals elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm. Stamens 8; filaments dilated at
spicuous midvein and inconspicuous lateral veins, base nar- base. Styles 3, short; stigmas capitate. Achenes equaling or
rowly cuneate, margin entire, apex obtuse or acute; ocrea white, slightly exceeding persistent perianth, brown, slightly shiny,
2.5–3 mm, membranous, apex lacerate. Flowers 3–6, in axillary ovoid, trigonous, 2–3 mm, densely punctate. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr.
fascicles; bracts membranous. Pedicels shorter than bracts, Aug–Sep.
articulate at middle. Perianth green, margin white or pinkish, 5- Ditches, wet areas; 400–1800 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakh-
parted; tepals narrowly elliptic, 1–1.5 mm, abaxially with stan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan; SW Asia, Europe].
prominent veins. Stamens 5; filaments included, slightly dilated
at base. Styles 3, rarely 2, very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes 12. Polygonum argyrocoleon Steudel ex Kuntze, Linnaea 20:
included in persistent perianth, black-brown, shiny, broadly 17. 1847.
ovoid, trigonous or biconvex, 1.5–2 mm, smooth. Fl. May– 帚萹蓄 zhou bian xu
Aug, fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 20.
Herbs annual. Stems erect, 50–80 cm tall, glabrous, angu-
Near fields and roads, wet areas; sea level to 2200 m. Anhui,
late, much branched; branches ascending, fastigiate, nodes in-
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hei-
flated, internodes 3–5 cm. Leaves caducous; petiole short,
longjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei
Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tai-
articulate at base; leaf blade usually caducous, lanceolate or
wan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, linear-lanceolate, 1.5–4 cm × 6–8 mm, both surfaces with
Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Russia (Far East), Thailand; N Africa, conspicuous veins, base narrowly cuneate, apex acute; ocrea
Australia, ?introduced in Europe]. lower part brown, upper part white, tubular, membranous, 6–8-
veined, lacerate at apex. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, inter-
10. Polygonum polycnemoides Jaubert & Spach, Ill. Pl. rupted. Pedicel slender, articulate at apex. Perianth green, mar-
Orient. 2: 30. 1844. gin pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 2 mm.
针叶萹蓄 zhen ye bian xu Stamens 7 or 8; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3; stigmas capi-
tate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, shiny,
Herbs annual. Stems prostrate or suberect, 5–20 cm tall,
ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, smooth. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.
scabrous, internodes shorter than leaves. Petiole very short or
nearly absent; leaf blade linear or subulate-linear, 5–13 × 1–1.5 Marshy areas, streamsides; 200–2500 m. Gansu, Nei Mongol,
mm, midvein slightly prominent abaxially, conspicuous adax- Qinghai, Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,
ially, lateral veins inconspicuous on both surfaces, base narrow- Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia].
ly cuneate, margin entire, apex acute; ocrea white, narrowly 13. Polygonum molliiforme Boissier, Diagn. Pl. Orient., ser. 1,
ovate, connate at base, thinly membranous, margin sparsely 7: 84. 1846.
lacerate, apex 2-lobed. Flowers 1 or 2, axillary. Perianth green,
margin white or pinkish, 5-cleft to 1/3, herbaceous, minutely 丝茎萹蓄 si jing bian xu
papillate; tepals elliptic, 0.5–1 mm. Stamens 8, included; Herbs annual. Stems erect, usually purple-red, 5–10 cm
anthers purple-red. Styles 3, very short; stigmas capitate. tall, slender, 3–5 mm in diam., glabrous, internodes 1–1.5 cm.
Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-brown, slightly Petiole short; leaf blade spreading or curved, linear or subulate,
shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 1.5–2 mm, densely punctate. Fl. Jun– 7–15 × 0.5–1 mm, both surfaces with conspicuous midvein,
Jul, fr. Jul–Aug. base articulate, apex mucronulate; ocrea silvery, narrowly
Dry slopes, rocky deserts, gravelly grasslands; 600–2200 m. ovate, thinly membranous, pellucid, base connate, margin entire
Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, or slightly denticulate, apex acute. Flower solitary, axillary.
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW Asia, Europe]. Pedicel short. Perianth white, 5-cleft to 3/4, membranous; tepals
11. Polygonum patulum Marschall von Bieberstein, Fl. Taur.- elliptic, 2–3 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 5, sometimes fertile
Caucas. 1: 304. 1808. ones 2 or 3; filaments dilated at base; anthers black. Styles 2,
very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes equaling or slightly ex-
展枝萹蓄 zhan zhi bian xu ceeding persistent perianth, shiny, ovoid, biconvex, ca. 2 mm,
smooth, apex acute. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.
Polygonum bellardii Allioni var. gracilius Ledebour; P.
gracilius (Ledebour) Klokov; P. patulum var. gracilius (Lede- In sand at riversides, dry mountain slopes; 300–500 m. Xinjiang
bour) Rouy; P. patulum var. patulum f. gracilius (Ledebour) I. [Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; SW
Grint; P. salinum Baranov & Skvortsov. Asia].

Herbs annual. Stems erect, 20–80 cm tall, usually much 14. Polygonum acetosum Marschall von Bieberstein, Fl.
Taur.-Caucas. 1: 304. 1808.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

灰绿萹蓄 hui lü bian xu Herbs annual. Stems prostrate or ascending, gray-green,

10–30 cm tall, much branched from base. Petiole very short or
nearly absent, articulate at base; leaf blade gray-green, oblong-
linear, 1–2.5 cm × 3–5 mm, midvein abaxially slightly promi-
nent, adaxially conspicuous, lateral veins inconspicuous on both
surfaces, base narrowly cuneate, margin minutely papillate,
apex acute; ocrea silvery, ovate-lanceolate, 4–5 mm, membra-
nous, with inconspicuous veins, base connate. Flowers 3–7 in
axillary fascicles. Pedicel 1–3 mm, apex articulate. Perianth
gray-green, margin white, 5-parted, veined; tepals oblong, 1.5–
2 mm. Stamens 7 or 8; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3; stig-
mas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown,
slightly shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, densely
minutely punctate. Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jun–Jul.
Fields, near ditches; 500–2000 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakh-
stan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan].
15. Polygonum acerosum Ledebour ex Meisner in Candolle,
Prodr. 14(1): 92. 1856.
松叶萹蓄 song ye bian xu
Herbs annual. Stems ascending, often pinkish, 15–25 cm
tall, papillate, branched from base. Leaves sessile; leaf blade
green, linear or linear-lanceolate, 8–20 × 2–3 mm, nearly
fleshy, abaxially midvein prominent, adaxially midvein con-
spicuous, lateral veins inconspicuous on both surfaces, base
narrowly cuneate, margin entire, slightly revolute, apex acute,
with mucro; ocrea silvery, ovate-lanceolate, 4–5 mm, mem-
branous, base connate, apex lacerate. Flower solitary, axillary.
Pedicel very short, articulate at apex. Perianth 5-cleft to 1/2,
herbaceous, minutely papillate, margin white; tepals elliptic, 1–
1.5 mm. Stamens 7 or 8. Styles 3, very short. Achenes included
in persistent perianth, dark brown, slightly shiny, ovoid,
trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, puncticulate. Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jun–Jul.
Riverbanks, moist valleys; 500–1500 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan].
16. Polygonum rigidum Skvortsov in Baranov & Skvortsov,
Diagn. Pl. Nov. Mandsh. 5. 1943.
尖果萹蓄 jian guo bian xu
Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 30–50 cm tall,
much branched, angulate. Petiole short, articulate at base; leaf
blade elliptic or oblong, 1–3 cm × 3–7 mm, both surfaces with
conspicuous veins, base cuneate, margin entire, apex obtuse or
subacute; ocrea: lower part brown, upper part white, 5–9-
veined, lacerate. Flowers 2–7 in axillary fascicles. Pedicel 1.5–2
mm, apex articulate. Perianth green, margin white or pinkish, 5-
parted to 2/3; tepals oblong, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8; filaments
dilated at base. Styles 3, short. Achenes exserted from persistent
perianth, brown, slightly shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3.5 mm,
densely minutely punctate, apex long acute. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr.
Jul–Sep. 2n = ca. 60.
Near fields, roadsides, shaded grassy places in valleys; 400–2500
m. Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi,
Shanxi [Mongolia, Russia].

2. Polygonum sect. Persicaria (Miller) Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 43, 66. 1826.
春蓼组 chun liao zu
Persicaria Miller, Gard. Dict. Abr., ed. 4, [1054]. 1754.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Plants without prickles. Leaves generally narrowly elliptical to ovate, not hastate or sagittate. Inflorescence spicate, spikes
usually several. Tepals fused for about 1/3 their length. Nectaries free, globular. Styles 1, bifid or trifid.
About 100 species: cosmopolitan; 23 species (four endemic) in China.
In members of Polygonum sect. Aconogonon, P. sect. Bistorta, P. sect. Cephalophilon, P. sect. Echinocaulon, and P. sect. Persicaria (often
recognized as belonging to the genus Persicaria) the inflorescence is many flowered, the petioles lack articulation, the ocrea is variously entire, ciliate,
or pectinate, but not laciniate, the perianth is 4- or 5-parted, the tepals have 3-fid venation, the stamens are 4–8, with reduction in number occurring in
the inner whorl, and the filaments are not dilated at the base, but are associated with nipple-like nectaries.

17. Polygonum amphibium Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 361. 1753. stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black,
shiny, orbicular, biconvex, 3–4 mm in diam. Fl. Sep–Oct, fr.
两栖蓼 liang qi liao
Oct–Nov.
Persicaria amphibia (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray; P. amphibia
In shallow water of swamps, marshy areas; 100–300 m.
var. terrestris (Leysser) Munshi & Javeid; P. amurensis Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan [India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar,
(Korshinsky) Nieuwland; P. muhlenbergii (Meisner) Small; Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand; ?Africa, Australia].
Polygonum amphibium var. amurense Korshinsky; P. am-
phibium var. muhlenbergii Meisner; P. amphibium var. natans 19. Polygonum huananense A. J. Li, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin
Michaux; P. amphibium var. terrestre Leysser; P. amphibium 15: 413. 1995.
var. vestitum Hemsley. 华南蓼 hua nan liao
Herbs perennial, amphibious. Rhizomes horizontal. Aqua- Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 100–150 cm tall, robust,
tic plants: stems floating, glabrous, rooting at nodes; leaves simple, sometimes branched above, densely villous. Petiole 5–
long petiolate, floating; leaf blade oblong or elliptic, 5–12 × 10 mm, villous; leaf blade broadly lanceolate, 10–20 × 2–4.5
2.5–4 cm, glabrous, base subcordate, margin entire, not ciliate, cm, both surfaces sparsely sericeous, base cuneate, margin
apex obtuse or slightly acute; ocrea tubular, thinly membra- shortly ciliate, apex long acuminate; ocrea tubular, 1.5–3 cm,
nous, apex truncate, not ciliate. Terrestrial plants: stems erect, membranous, apex truncate, cilia 4–5 mm. Inflorescence ter-
40–60 cm tall, simple or branched at base. Petiole 3–5 mm; leaf minal, of panicled spikes, erect; bracts broadly ovate, villous,
blade lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 6–14 × 1.5–2 cm, both margin long ciliate, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels longer than
surfaces appressed-hispidulous, base rounded, margin entire,
bracts, stout, articulate at apex. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals
ciliate, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 1.5–2 cm, membranous,
elliptic, ca. 3 mm. Stamens exserted. Styles 3, connate below
sparsely hirsute, apex truncate, shortly ciliate. Inflorescence ter-
middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent peri-
minal or axillary, spicate, 2–4 cm; bracts broadly funnel-
anth, black-brown, slightly shiny, ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 3
shaped. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals oblong, 3–4
mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
mm. Stamens usually 5, included. Styles 2, exserted, connate to
middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent peri- ● Lake edges, streamsides; ca. 100 m. Guangdong.
anth, black, shiny, orbicular, biconvex, 2.5–3 mm in diam. Fl. 20. Polygonum japonicum Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. 14(1):
Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 66, 96. 112. 1856.
In ponds, riverbanks, wet fields, waste areas; sea level to 3700 m.
Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, 蚕茧蓼 can jian liao
Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shan-
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes horizontal. Stems erect, 50–
dong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Very widely distri-
buted: Bhutan, NW India, Japan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyz- 100 cm tall, glabrous, sometimes sparsely hispidulous. Petiole
stan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; short or nearly absent; leaf blade lanceolate, 7–15 × 1–2 cm,
Asia, Europe, North America]. thinly leathery, densely minutely punctate, both surfaces
sparsely appressed hispidulous, base cuneate, margin entire,
18. Polygonum pulchrum Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 530.
hispidulous, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, 1.5–2 cm, mem-
1826.
branous, appressed hirsute, apex truncate, cilia 1–1.2 cm. Inflo-
丽蓼 li liao rescences terminal, spicate, usually numerous, 6–12 cm; bracts
Persicaria attenuata subsp. pulchra (Blume) K. L. Wil- green, funnel-shaped, ciliate, each 3–6-flowered. Flowers di-
son; P. pulchra (Blume) Soják; Polygonum tomentosum Willd- morphic. Pedicel 2.5–4 mm. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-
enow (1799), not Schrank (1789). parted, minutely punctate; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 8,
exserted. Styles 2 or 3, connate below middle, included or
Plants perennial, rhizomatous. Stems erect, sometimes stamens included and styles exserted on separate plant; stigmas
prostrate below, 80–100 cm tall, robust, simple, pilose or gla- capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black, shiny
brescent. Petiole 1–2 cm; leaf blade broadly lanceolate, 10–15 × or opaque, ovoid, trigonous or biconvex, 2.5–3 mm.
1.5–3 cm, both surfaces densely sericeous, base narrowly cune-
ate, margin entire, ciliate, apex long acuminate; ocrea tubular, Marshy areas, ditches, streamsides, riverbanks; sea level to 1700
1.5–2 cm, membranous, densely pubescent, apex truncate, cilia m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei,
Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang,
4–6 mm. Inflorescence terminal, of panicled spikes, erect, 3–6
Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].
cm; bracts ovate, adpressed hispidulous, each 3- or 4-flowered.
Pedicels longer than bracts. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals 1a. Perianth 3–4 mm, not glandular dotted;
elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, included. Styles 2, free; achenes shiny ...................................... 20a. var. japonicum
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

1b. Perianth 5–6 mm, glandular dotted; Persicaria glabra (Willdenow) M. Gomez; Polygonum
achenes opaque ................................ 20b. var. conspicuum densiflorum Meisner; P. portoricense Bertoloni ex Endlicher.
20a. Polygonum japonicum var. japonicum Herbs annual, glabrous throughout. Stems erect, 70–100
cm tall, dilated at nodes, rarely branched. Petiole 8–10 mm,
蚕茧蓼(原变种) can jian liao (yuan bian zhong)
robust; leaf blade lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 8–18 × 1.5–3
Persicaria japonica (Meisner) H. Gross ex Nakai; ?Poly- cm, base narrowly cuneate, margin entire, not ciliate, apex nar-
gonum macranthum Meisner; P. martini H. Léveillé & Vaniot; rowly acuminate; ocrea tubular, 1–3 cm, membranous, veins
P. myosurus Franchet. numerous. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, 4–12 cm, usually
Flowers small. Perianth 3–4 mm, not glandular dotted. with several dense spikes aggregated and panicle-like; bracts
Achenes shiny. funnel-shaped, not ciliate, usually each 3- or 4-flowered. Pedi-
cel large, longer than bracts, articulate at apex. Perianth white
Marshy areas, ditches, streamsides; sea level to 1700 m. Anhui, or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 3–4 mm, veins slender,
Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, furcate at apex, not curved downward. Stamens 6–8. Styles 2,
Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhe-
connate to below middle. Achenes included in persistent peri-
jiang [Japan, Korea].
anth, black-brown, shiny, ovoid, biconvex, 2.5–3 mm. Fl. Jun–
20b. Polygonum japonicum var. conspicuum Nakai, J. Coll. Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.
Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 23: 10. 1908. Riverbanks, streamsides, marshy areas; sea level to 100 m. Fujian,
显花蓼 xian hua liao Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Taiwan [Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam;
Persicaria conspicua (Nakai) Nakai ex T. Mori; P. sterilis Africa, Australia, North and South America, Pacific Islands].
(Nakai) Nakai & Ohki; Polygonum conspicuum (Nakai) Nakai;
23. Polygonum viscosum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don,
P. japonicum var. micranthum Nakai; P. japonicum var.
micranthum Nakai f. brevistylum Nakai; P. sterile Nakai; P. Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 71. 1825.
sterile var. brevistylum (Nakai) Nakai. 香蓼 xiang liao
Flowers large. Perianth 5–6 mm, glandular dotted. Persicaria kuekenthalii H. Léveillé; P. viscosa (Buchanan-
Achenes opaque. Hamilton ex D. Don) H. Gross ex Nakai; Polygonum
Streamsides, riverbanks; sea level to 1500 m. Anhui, Fujian, kuekenthalii H. Léveillé; P. viscosum var. minus J. D. Hooker.
Jiangsu, Taiwan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea]. Herbs annual, odoriferous. Stems erect or ascending, 50–
21. Polygonum barbatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 362. 1753, 90 cm tall, much branched, densely hirsute and glandular hairy.
nom. cons. Petiole short or nearly absent; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate or
elliptical-lanceolate, 5–15 × 2–4 cm, both surfaces hispid,
毛蓼 mao liao
densely so along veins, margin entire, densely shortly ciliate;
Persicaria barbata (Linnaeus) H. Hara; P. omerostroma ocrea tubular, 1–1.2 cm, membranous, densely glandular hairy
(Ohki) Sasaki; Polygonum kotoshoense Ohki; P. omerostro- and hirsute, apex truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence terminal
mum Ohki. or axillary, spicate, 2–4 cm, usually several spikes aggregated
and panicle-like; peduncles densely hirsute and glandular hairy;
Herbs perennial, rhizomatous. Stems erect, 40–90 cm tall,
bracts funnel-shaped, hirsute and glandular hairy, margin
robust, pubescent, simple or branched above. Petiole 5–8 mm,
sparsely long ciliate, each 3–5-flowered. Pedicels longer than
densely hispidulous; leaf blade lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate,
bracts. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 3 mm. Sta-
7–15 × 1.5–4 cm, both surfaces pubescent, base cuneate,
mens 8, included. Styles 3, connate to below middle. Achenes
margin ciliate, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, 1.5–2 cm, mem-
included in persistent perianth, black-brown, shiny, broadly
branous, densely hispidulous, apex truncate, cilia 1.5–2 cm.
ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.
Inflorescence terminal, spicate, erect, 4–8 cm, several spikes
aggregated and panicle-like, rarely solitary; bracts funnel- Roadsides, grasslands, by ditches; sea level to 1900 m. Anhui,
shaped, glabrous, margin ciliate, each 3–5-flowered. Pedicel Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei,
Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan,
short. Perianth white or greenish, 5-parted, elliptic, 1.5–2 mm.
Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Russia (Far East)].
Stamens 5–8, included. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes
included in persistent perianth, black, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 24. Polygonum persicaria Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 361. 1753.
1.5–2 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct. 2n = 60.
蓼 liao
Streamsides, wet areas; water sides; sea level to 1300 m. Fujian,
Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Si- Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 40–80 cm tall,
chuan, Taiwan, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, branched or simple, sparsely pubescent or glabrescent. Petiole
Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet- 5–8 mm, appressed hispidulous; leaf blade lanceolate or elliptic,
nam]. often with a dark triangular spot at middle, both surfaces ap-
pressed hispidulous, densely so along midvein, base narrowly
22. Polygonum glabrum Willdenow, Sp. Pl. 2: 447. 1799.
cuneate, margin largely ciliate, apex acute or acuminate; ocrea
光蓼 guang liao tubular, 1–2 cm, membranous, sparsely pubescent, apex trun-
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

cate, cilia 0.4–3 mm. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, lax, 4–7 cm, interrupted at base, several spikes aggregated and
2–6 cm, usually several spikes aggregated and panicle-like; panicle-like; peduncle glabrous, sparsely viscid-glandular;
peduncle glandular hairy or glabrous; bracts funnel-shaped, bracts green, funnel-shaped, glabrous but ciliate, each 3–5-
ciliate, each 5–7-flowered. Pedicel 2.5–3 mm. Perianth reddish flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts. Perianth greenish, 5(or
or deep purple, usually 5-parted; tepals oblong, 2.5–3 mm, 4)-parted; tepals elliptic, 1–1.5 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, included.
distinctly veined. Stamens 6 or 7. Styles 2, rarely 3, connate to Styles 3, connate to below middle. Achenes included in per-
below middle. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black- sistent perianth, black-brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 1.5
brown, shiny or opaque, suborbicular or broadly ovoid, mm, smooth. Fl. Jul–Sep. fr. Aug–Oct. 2n = 24.
biconvex, rarely trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, smooth. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr.
Moist valleys, mountain slopes; 500–1800 m. Anhui, Fujian,
Jul–Sep. 2n = 22, 42.
Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi,
Streamsides, wet areas, field margins; 100–1800 m. Anhui, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan,
Fujian, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Korea, Russia (Far East)].
Hunan, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaan-
xi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, ?Yunnan, Zhejiang This species shows considerable variation in leaf shape and pu-
[Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, bescence. Plants with linear-lanceolate leaves and more or less glabrous
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; Africa, Europe, North America]. stems and abaxial leaf surfaces are often recognized as a distinct variety,
Polygonum viscoferum var. robustum Makino (Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 17:
1a. Achenes shiny; ocrea long ciliate, cilia
116. 1903; P. viscoferum subsp. robustum (Makino) Kitamura).
1–3 mm ................................................ 24a. var. persicaria
1b. Achenes opaque; ocrea shortly ciliate, 26. Polygonum lapathifolium Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 360. 1753.
cilia 0.4–1 mm ........................................ 24b. var. opacum
马蓼 ma liao
24a. Polygonum persicaria var. persicaria
Herbs annual. Stems erect, 40–90 cm tall, branched,
蓼(原变种) liao (yuan bian zhong) glabrous, subglabrous, or lanose, swollen at nodes. Petiole 2–5
Persicaria dolichopoda (Ohki) Sasaki; P. maculata mm, appressed hispidulous; leaf blade with large blackish spot
(Rafinesque) A. Löve & D. Löve; P. maculosa S. F. Gray, nom. adaxially, lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 5–15 × 1–3 cm,
cons. prop.; P. vulgaris Webb & Moquin-Tandon; Polygonum abaxially nearly glabrous or densely lanose, adaxially nearly
dolichopodum K. Ohki; P. persicaria f. humile S. X. Li & Y. L. glabrous, sometimes densely lanose on both surfaces, base
Chang; P. persicaria f. latifolium S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang; P. cuneate, margin ciliate, apex acuminate or acute; ocrea brown-
shuchengense Z. Z. Zhou. ish, tubular, 1.5–3 cm, membranous, glabrous, apex truncate,
not ciliate or rarely shortly ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or
Achenes shiny. Ocrea long ciliate, cilia 1–3 mm. 2n = 22.
axillary, spicate, erect or nodding, 3–8 cm, densely flowered,
Streamsides, wet areas; 100–1800 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, several spikes aggregated and panicle-like; peduncles glandu-
Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, lar; bracts funnel-shaped, margin sparsely shortly ciliate.
Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong,
Perianth pink or white, 4(or 5)-parted; tepals 2.5–3 mm, veins
Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, ?Yunnan, Zhejiang [Indonesia,
strongly forked, curved downward near apex. Stamens usually
Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmeni-
stan, Uzbekistan; Africa, Europe, North America]. 6. Styles 2, connate at base. Achenes included in persistent
perianth, black-brown, shiny, broadly ovoid, biconcave, 2–3
24b. Polygonum persicaria var. opacum (Samuelsson) A. J. mm. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jun–Oct. 2n = 22.
Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 25(1): 23. 1998.
Roadsides, along ditches, field margins, watersides; sea level to
暗果蓼 an guo liao 3900 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan,
Polygonum opacum Samuelsson, Lingnan. Sci. J. 14: 299. Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,
1935; Persicaria opaca (Samuelsson) Koidzumi. Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi,
Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bangladesh,
Achenes opaque. Ocrea shortly ciliate, cilia 0.4–1 mm. Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Ma-
● Streamsides, field margins; 100–200 m. Fujian, Zhejiang. laysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines,
Russia (Siberia), Sikkim, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbeki-
25. Polygonum viscoferum Makino, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 17: stan, Vietnam; N Africa, Australia, Europe, North America].
115. 1903.
1a. Plants glabrous or subglabrous ....... 26a. var. lapathifolium
粘蓼 nian liao 1b. Plants lanose.
Persicaria excurrens (Steward) Koidzumi; P. viscofera 2a. Leaf blade densely lanose
(Makino) H. Gross ex Nakai; Polygonum excurrens Steward; P. abaxially ................................... 26b. var. salicifolium
makinoi Nakai. 2b. Leaf blade and stem densely
lanose .............................................. 26c. var. lanatum
Herbs annual. Stems 30–70 cm tall, usually branched
above, pubescent. Petiole very short or nearly absent; leaf blade 26a. Polygonum lapathifolium var. lapathifolium
lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, both surfaces hispid, densely 马蓼(原变种) ma liao (yuan bian zhong)
so along midvein, long ciliate at margin, base rounded or cune-
ate, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, 6–12 mm, membranous, Persicaria lapathifolia (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray; P. nodosa
long hispid, apex ?truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence spicate, (Persoon) Opiz; P. vaniotiana H. Léveillé; Polygonum koma-
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

rovii H. Léveillé; P. lapathifolium subsp. nodosum (Persoon) orientale var. pilosum (Roxburgh ex Meisner) Meisner; P.
Weinmann; P. lapathifolium var. xanthophyllum H. W. Kung; pilosum Roxburgh ex Meisner; P. torquatum Bruijn.
P. nodosum Persoon; P. pyramidale H. Léveillé; P. vanio-
Herbs annual. Stems erect, 1–2 m tall, robust, much
tianum (H. Léveillé) H. Léveillé. branched above, densely spreading villous. Petiole 2–10 cm,
Plants glabrous or subglabrous. 2n = 22, 24. spreading villous; leaf blade broadly ovate, broadly elliptic, or
Roadsides, along ditches; sea level to 3900 m. Anhui, Fujian,
ovate-lanceolate, 10–20 × 5–12 cm, both surfaces densely
Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, pubescent, along veins densely villous, base rounded or subcor-
Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, date, slightly decurrent, margin densely ciliate, apex acuminate;
Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xin- ocrea tubular, 1–2 cm, membranous, villous, margin truncate,
jiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, long ciliate, usually with green leaflike wing. Inflorescence
Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New terminal or axillary, spicate, slightly pendulous, 3–7 cm, several
Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, spikes aggregated and panicle-like; bracts green, broadly fun-
Uzbekistan, Vietnam; N Africa, Australia, Europe, North America]. nel-shaped, 3–5 mm, pubescent, margin long ciliate, each 3–5-
26b. Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium Sibthorp, Fl. flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts. Flowers dimorphic. Peri-
Oxon. 129. 1794. anth pink or white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 3–4 mm. Stamens 7,
exserted. Styles 2, connate to below middle, included or sta-
绵毛马蓼 mian mao ma liao mens included and styles exserted on separate plant; stigmas
Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. pallida (Withering) S. capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-brown,
Ekman & T. Knutsson var. incana (Roth) S. Ekman & T. shiny, nearly orbicular, biconcave, 3–3.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr.
Knutsson; Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum Ledebour; P. Aug–Oct.
nodosum Persoon var. incanum Ledebour; P. persicaria var. Roadsides, near houses, wastelands, usually cultivated in gardens;
incanum Roth. sea level to 3000 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Gui-
zhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,
Leaf blade densely lanose abaxially. 2n = 22*. Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shan-
Roadsides, watersides; 100–3300 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, dong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bang-
Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, ladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Philippines,
Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Russia (Far East), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; SW Asia, Australia,
Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Yun- Europe].
nan, Zhejiang [India, Indonesia (Java), Japan, Myanmar, Russia 28. Polygonum tinctorium Aiton, Hort. Kew. 2: 31. 1789.
(Siberia)].
蓼蓝 liao lan
26c. Polygonum lapathifolium var. lanatum (Roxburgh)
Steward, Contr. Gray Herb., n.s., 5: 46. 1930. Persicaria tinctoria (Aiton) Spach.

密毛马蓼 mi mao ma liao Herbs annual. Stems erect, 50–80 cm tall, usually branch-
ed. Petiole 5–10 mm; leaf blade green, dark blue-green when
Polygonum lanatum Roxburgh, Fl. Ind., ed. 1832, 2: 285. dry, ovate or broadly elliptic, 3–8 × 2–4 cm, abaxially some-
1832; ?P. lanigerum R. Brown var. cristatum Hemsley; Persi- times appressed-pubescent along veins, adaxially glabrous, base
caria lanata (Roxburgh) Tzvelev; P. lapathifolia subsp. lanata broadly cuneate, margin shortly ciliate, apex obtuse or slightly
(Roxburgh) Soják; P. lapathifolia (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray var. acute; ocrea tubular, 1–1.5 cm, membranous, appressed pubes-
lanata (Roxburgh) H. Hara. cent, apex truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axil-
Stem and leaf blade densely lanose. lary, spicate, dense, 2–5 cm; bracts green, funnel-shaped, cili-
ate, each 3–5-flowered. Pedicels equal to bracts, slender. Peri-
Field margins, along ditches; 200–1100 m. Fujian, Guangdong, anth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals ovate, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 6–8,
Guangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia (Java), Malaysia, included. Styles 3, connate at lower part. Achenes included in
Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sikkim]. persistent perianth, brown, shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 2–
If Polygonum lanigerum var. cristatum (Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., 2.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.
Bot. 26: 342. 1891) is indeed synonymous with P. lapathifolium var. Moist valleys, stream banks, widely cultivated; 200–1000 m.
lanatum (1930), then the correct name at varietal rank under P. Widespread in China [Indo-China; cultivated and occasionally natural-
lapathifolium would be a new combination based on var. cristatum. ized elsewhere].
27. Polygonum orientale Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 362. 1753. This species is used medicinally and for dyeing.
红蓼 hong liao 29. Polygonum assamicum Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. 14(1):
Amblygonum orientale (Linnaeus) Nakai ex T. Mori; A. 111. 1856.
orientale var. pilosum (Roxburgh ex Meisner) Nakai ex T. 阿萨姆蓼 a sa mu liao
Mori; Lagunea cochinchinensis Loureiro; L. orientalis (Linna-
Persicaria assamica (Meissn.) Soják.
eus) Nakai; L. orientalis var. pilosa (Roxburgh ex Meisner)
Nakai; Persicaria cochinchinensis (Loureiro) Kitagawa; P. Herbs annual. Stems ascending or decumbent, 15–30 cm
orientalis (Linnaeus) Spach; P. pilosa (Roxburgh ex Meisner) tall, glabrous. Petiole 3–6 mm, sparsely appressed hispidulous;
Kitagawa; Polygonum amoenum Blume; P. cochinchinense leaf blade green, blue-green when dry, elliptic-ovate or broadly
(Loureiro) Meisner; ?P. orientale var. discolor Bentham; P. lanceolate, 2.5–6 × 1–2 cm, abaxially appressed hispidulous
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

along veins, adaxially glabrous, base broadly cuneate, apex Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Hei-
acute; ocrea tubular, membranous, sparsely appressed hispidu- longjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei
lous along veins, apex truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence ter- Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tai-
minal, spicate, solitary or several aggregated and panicle-like; wan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
spike lax, 2.5–4 cm, usually decurrent at base; bracts green, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mongolia,
Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan;
herbaceous, ciliate, each 1–3-flowered. Perianth reddish, 5-part-
Australia, Europe, North America].
ed; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 5 or 6, included. Styles
2; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, 32. Polygonum pubescens Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 532.
narrowly ovoid, biconvex, ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug– 1826.
Sep.
伏毛蓼 fu mao liao
Stream banks, wet valleys; 200–1000 m. Guangxi, Guizhou,
Sichuan, Yunnan [N India, Myanmar]. Persicaria flaccida (Meisner) H. Gross; P. hydropiper
(Linnaeus) Spach subsp. flaccida (Meisner) Munshi & Javeid;
30. Polygonum paralimicola A. J. Li, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin P. pubescens (Blume) H. Hara; Polygonum donii Meisner; P.
15: 414. 1995. flaccidum Meisner; P. flaccidum var. hispidum (Buchanan-
湿地蓼 shi di liao Hamilton ex D. Don) J. D. Hooker; P. hispidum Buchanan-
Hamilton ex D. Don; P. hydropiper var. flaccidum (Meisner)
Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 20–30 cm tall, Steward; P. hydropiper var. hispidum (Buchanan-Hamilton ex
branched at base, glabrous. Petiole 4–5 mm; leaf blade ovate, D. Don) Steward; P. oryzetorum Blume.
1–2.5 × 0.7–1.2 cm, both surfaces pubescent, base broadly
cuneate, margin shortly ciliate, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 4–5 Herbs annual (?perennial). Stems erect, often reddish, 60–
mm, membranous, hispidulous, apex truncate, shortly ciliate. 90 cm tall, sparsely hispidulous, branched above, swollen at
Inflorescence terminal, spicate, lax, 1.5–3 cm; bracts funnel- nodes. Leaves without peppery taste; petiole 4–7 mm, densely
shaped, 2–3 mm, apex obliquely truncate, each 2- or 3-flow- hispidulous; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate or broadly lanceolate,
ered. Pedicel 6–9 mm, articulate at apex. Perianth pinkish, 5- 5–10 × 1–2.5 cm, both surfaces densely hispidulous, base
parted; tepals elliptic, 4–5 mm, yellow-brown punctate. Sta- broadly cuneate, margin ciliate, apex acuminate or acute; ocrea
mens 8, included. Styles 3, connate to below middle; stigmas tubular, 1–1.5 cm, membranous, hispid, apex truncate, stoutly
capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, nar- long ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, pendu-
rowly ovoid, trigonous, 4–4.5 mm, densely pitted. Fl. Jul–Oct, lous, lax, 7–15 cm, interrupted below; bracts green, funnel-
fr. Aug–Nov. shaped, margin submembranous, ciliate, each 3- or 4-flowered.
Pedicels longer than bracts, slender. Perianth green, red above,
● Mountain streams, grassy slopes; 200–500 m. Hunan, Jiangxi,
Zhejiang. 5-parted, densely purplish glandular punctate; tepals elliptic, 3–
4 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, connate to below middle.
31. Polygonum hydropiper Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 361. 1753. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black, dull, ovoid,
辣蓼 la liao trigonous, 2.5–3 mm, densely pitted. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
Along ditches, water sides, field margins; sea level to 2700 m.
Persicaria hydropiper (Linnaeus) Spach; ?P. hydropiper Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan,
var. diffusa Kitagawa; P. hydropiper var. vulgaris (Meisner) Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning (Dalian), Shaanxi, Shandong,
Ohki; P. vernalis Nakai; ?Polygonum hydropiper var. longi- Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan,
stachyum Y. L. Chang & S. X. Li; P. hydropiper var. vulgare Korea, Sikkim].
Meisner; P. schinzii J. Schuster.
33. Polygonum posumbu Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don,
Herbs annual. Stems erect, 40–70 cm tall, much branched, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 71. 1825.
glabrous, dilated at nodes. Leaves with peppery taste; petiole 4–
丛枝蓼 cong zhi liao
8 mm; leaf blade lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 4–8 × 0.5–25
cm, both surfaces glabrous, densely brown punctate, sometimes Persicaria posumbu (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don) H.
appressed hispidulous along midvein, base cuneate, margin Gross; P. yokusaiana (Makino) Nakai; Polygonum caespitosum
ciliate, apex acuminate; cleistogamous flowers present in many Blume; P. caespitosum subsp. yokusaianum (Makino) Danser;
leaf axils; ocrea tubular, 1–1.5 cm, membranous, sparsely ap- P. procumbens Y. L. Chang & S. X. Li (1959), not Gilibert
pressed hispidulous, apex truncate, shortly ciliate. Inflorescence (1792), nor Bruijn (1854), nor Sessé y Lacasta & Mociño
terminal or axillary, spicate, pendulous, interrupted below, (1894); P. pronum C. F. Fang; P. yokusaianum Makino.
usually lax, 3–8 cm, slender; bracts green, funnel-shaped, 2–3
Herbs annual. Stems decumbent, 30–70 tall, slender,
mm, margin membranous, sparsely shortly ciliate, each 3–5-
branched at base, glabrous, angulate. Petiole 5–7 mm, appres-
flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts. Perianth greenish, white
sed hispid; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate or ovate, 3–6(–8) × 1–
or pink above, 5(or 4)-parted, brownish pellucid glandular
2(–3) cm, papery, both surfaces sparsely appressed hispid or
punctate; tepals elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 6, rarely 8,
glabrescent, midvein prominent abaxially, base broadly cune-
included. Styles 2 or 3. Achenes included in persistent perianth,
ate, margin ciliate, apex caudate-acuminate; ocrea tubular, 4–6
black-brown, opaque, ovoid, biconvex or trigonous, 2–3 mm,
mm, thinly membranous, appressed hispid, apex truncate, cilia
densely small pitted. Fl. May–Sep, fr. Jun–Oct. 2n = 18–22.
7–8 mm, stout. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, lax,
Riverbanks, streamsides, wet valleys; sea level to 3500 m. Anhui, 5–10 cm, interrupted below; bracts greenish, funnel-shaped,
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

glabrous, margin ciliate, each 3- or 4-flowered. Pedicel short. 34b. Polygonum longisetum var. rotundatum A. J. Li, Bull.
Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8, Bot. Res., Harbin 15: 418. 1995.
exserted. Styles 3, connate at base; stigmas capitate. Achenes
圆基长鬃蓼 yuan ji chang zong liao
included in persistent perianth, blackish brown, shiny, ovoid,
trigonous, 2–2.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr. Jul–Oct. Persicaria sungareensis Kitagawa; Polygonum barbatum
Mixed forests on mountain slopes, moist valleys; 100–3000 m. Linnaeus subsp. gracile Danser, p.p.; P. barbatum var. gracile
Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hei- (Danser) Steward, p.p.; P. koreense Nakai f. viridiflorum S. X.
longjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Li & Y. L. Chang; P. sungareense (Kitagawa) Kitagawa; P.
Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, sungareense f. rubiflorum S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang.
Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand].
Leaves basally rounded. 2n = 20.
34. Polygonum longisetum Bruijn in Miquel, Pl. Jungh. 3:
Shaded places along ditches, water sides; sea level to 3100 m.
307. 1854. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilong-
长鬃蓼 chang zong liao jiang, Henan, Hubei, ?Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi,
Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Mongolia].
Herbs annual. Stems erect, ascending or prostrate at base,
30–60 cm tall, branched from base, glabrous, swollen at nodes. 35. Polygonum taquetii H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni
Petiole short or nearly absent; leaf blade lanceolate or broadly Veg. 8: 258. 1910.
lanceolate, 5–13 × 1–2 cm, abaxially appressed hispidulous 细叶蓼 xi ye liao
along veins, adaxially glabrescent, base cuneate to rounded,
margin ciliate, apex acute or acuminate; ocrea tubular, 7–8 mm, Persicaria taquetii (H. Léveillé) Koidzumi; Polygonum
membranous, sparsely pubescent, apex truncate, cilia 6–7 mm. minutulum Makino.
Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, erect, 2–4 cm, inter- Herbs annual. Stems erect, prostrate or ascending at base,
rupted; bracts funnel-shaped, glabrous, margin long ciliate, each 30–50 cm tall, slender, glabrous, much branched, rooting at
5- or 6-flowered. Pedicels equaling bracts, 2–2.5 mm. Perianth lower nodes. Petiole very short or nearly absent; leaf blade
pink or red-purple, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 1.5–2 mm. Stamens narrowly lanceolate, 2–4 cm × 3–6 mm, both surfaces sparsely
6–8, included. Styles 3, connate to below middle; stigmas pubescent, base narrowly cuneate, margin entire, apex acute;
capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black, shiny, ocrea tubular, 5–6 mm, membranous, sparsely pubescent, apex
broadly ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2 mm. Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jun–Aug. truncate, cilia 3–5 mm. Inflorescence terminal or axillary,
Moist valleys, along stream banks, shaded places along ditches, spicate, pendulous, to 10 cm, slender, interrupted, usually
water sides; sea level to 3100 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, several spikes aggregated and panicle-like; bracts green, funnel-
Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, shaped, ca. 2 mm, margin long ciliate, each 3–5-flowered.
Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, ?Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Pedicels longer than bracts, slender. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted;
Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Indonesia, Japan, tepals elliptic, 1.5–1.7 mm. Stamens usually 7, included. Styles
Kashmir, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, 2 or 3, connate to below middle. Achenes included in persistent
Russia (Far East)]. perianth, brown, shiny, ovoid, biconvex or trigonous, 1.2–1.5
1a. Leaves basally cuneate ....................... 34a. var. longisetum mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
1b. Leaves basally rounded ..................... 34b. var. rotundatum Wet valleys, along ditches, water sides; sea level to 400 m. Anhui,
34a. Polygonum longisetum var. longisetum Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang [Japan,
Korea].
长鬃蓼(原变种) chang zong liao (yuan bian zhong)
36. Polygonum foliosum H. Lindberg, Meddeland. Soc. Fauna
Persicaria blumei (Meisner) H. Gross; P. buisanensis Fl. Fenn. 27: 3. 1900.
(Ohki) Sasaki; P. caespitosa (Blume) Nakai var. longiseta
多叶蓼 duo ye liao
(Bruijn) C. F. Reed; P. gentiliana H. Léveillé; P. longiseta
(Bruijn) Moldenke; P. manshuricola Kitagawa; P. roseoviridis Herbs annual. Stems decumbent, rarely erect, 40–60 cm
Kitagawa; Polygonum blumei Meisner; P. buisanense Ohki; P. tall, slender, much branched, glabrous. Petiole very short or
caespitosum Blume var. longisetum (Bruijn) Steward; P. gen- nearly absent; leaf blade narrowly lanceolate, 3–6 cm × 3–5
tilianum (H. Léveillé) H. Léveillé; P. interruptum Bunge; P. mm, sparsely pubescent, midvein prominent abaxially, lateral
kinashii H. Léveillé & Vaniot; P. posumbu Buchanan-Hamilton veins inconspicuous on both surfaces, base cuneate, broadly
ex D. Don var. blumei (Meisner) Herder; P. roseoviride (Kita- cuneate, or rounded, margin entire, not ciliate, apex acute; ocrea
gawa) S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang; P. roseoviride var. manshuri- tubular, 8–10 mm, membranous, sparsely appressed hispidu-
cola (Kitagawa) C. F. Fang. lous, apex truncate, cilia 0.5–3 mm. Inflorescence terminal or
axillary, spicate, erect, lax, 3–5 cm, slender, interrupted below;
Leaves basally cuneate. 2n = 40.
bracts funnel-shaped, glabrous, margin ciliate, each 1- or 2-
Moist valleys, along stream banks; sea level to 3000 m. Anhui, flowered. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals narrowly elliptic,
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, 1.5–2 mm. Stamens 5. Styles 2. Achenes equaling persistent
Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, ?Nei Mongol,
perianth, black, shiny, ovoid, biconvex, 1.2–2 mm, smooth. 2n
Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India,
Indonesia, Japan, Kashmir, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philip-
= 20.
pines, Russia (Far East)]. Water sides, streamsides, along ditches; sea level to 700 m.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Anhui, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, ?Nei Mongol, ?Taiwan Moist valleys, waste areas, field margins; sea level to 1700 m.
[Japan, Korea, Russia]. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Taiwan,
?Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
1a. Leaves basally cuneate; cilia of ocrea Nepal, Sikkim].
0.5–1 mm ............................................... 36a. var. foliosum
1b. Leaves basally broadly cuneate or rounded; 38. Polygonum jucundum Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 71. 1826.
cilia of ocrea 2–3 mm ......................... 36b. var. paludicola 愉悦蓼 yu yue liao
36a. Polygonum foliosum var. foliosum Persicaria jucunda (Meisner) Migo; Polygonum hang-
多叶蓼(原变种) duo ye liao (yuan bian zhong) chouense Matsuda.

Persicaria foliosa (H. Lindberg) Kitagawa. Herbs annual, 60–90 cm tall. Stems erect, usually prostrate
at base, glabrous, much branched. Petiole 3–6 mm; leaf blade
Leaves basally cuneate; cilia of ocrea 0.5–1 mm. elliptic-lanceolate, 6–10 × 1.5–2.5 cm, both surfaces sparsely
Water sides, streamsides; sea level to 700 m. Anhui, Heilongjiang, appressed-hispidulous or subglabrous, shortly ciliate at margin,
Jilin, Liaoning, ?Nei Mongol, ?Taiwan [Japan, Korea, Russia]. base cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate; ocrea brownish,
tubular, 5–10 mm, membranous, sparsely appressed hispidu-
36b. Polygonum foliosum var. paludicola (Makino) Kitamura,
lous, apex truncate, cilia 6–11 mm. Inflorescence terminal or
Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 20: 207. 1962.
axillary, spicate, dense, 3–6 cm; bracts green, funnel-shaped,
宽基多叶蓼 kuan ji duo ye liao cilia 1.5–2 mm, each bract 3–5-flowered. Pedicels longer than
bracts, 7–8 mm. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals
Polygonum paludicola Makino, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 28: oblong, 2–3 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, shorter than perianth. Styles
113. 1914; Persicaria paludicola (Makino) Nakai. 3, connate to below middle, longer than perianth, or stamens
longer than perianth and styles shorter than perianth on separate
Leaves basally broadly cuneate or rounded; cilia of ocrea
plant; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth,
2–3 mm.
black, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr.
Water sides, along ditches; sea level to 300 m. Anhui, Heilong- Sep–Nov. 2n = 20*.
jiang, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning [Japan, Russia (Far East)].
● Grassy slopes, moist valleys, along ditches; sea level to 2000 m.
37. Polygonum kawagoeanum Makino, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan,
28: 115. 1914. Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.

柔茎蓼 rou jing liao 39. Polygonum limicola Samuelsson in Handel-Mazzetti,

Symb. Sin. 7: 178. 1929.
Persicaria kawagoeana (Makino) Nakai; P. tenella
(Blume) H. Hara var. kawagoeana (Makino) H. Hara; Poly- 污泥蓼 wu ni liao
gonum micranthum Meisner; P. minus Hudson subsp. Persicaria limicola (Samuelsson) Yonekura & H. Ohashi.
micranthum (Meisner) Danser; P. minus subsp. procerum
Danser; P. minus var. procerum (Danser) Steward; P. tenellum Herbs annual. Stems stoloniferous, 40–80 cm, much
Blume var. micranthum (Meisner) C. Y. Wu. branched at base, glabrous, rooting from nodes. Petiole 2–3
mm; leaf blade elliptic-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, 2–4 × 1–
Herbs annual. Stems ascending or decumbent, 20–50 cm
2 cm, both surfaces sparsely appressed hispid, densely so along
tall, slender, usually branched from base, glabrous, rooting at
midvein, base broadly cuneate, margin shortly ciliate, apex
lower nodes; internodes 2–3 cm. Petiole very short or nearly
acute; ocrea tubular, 5–10 mm, membranous, apex truncate,
absent; leaf blade narrowly lanceolate, 3–6 cm × 4–8 mm, both
cilia 5–8 mm. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, dense, 1.5–3 cm;
surfaces pubescent or glabrate, appressed hispid along midvein,
bracts green, funnel-shaped, ca. 3 mm, cilia 1–1.5 mm. Pedicel
base usually rounded, margin shortly ciliate, apex acute; ocrea
5–6 mm, slender. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals
tubular, 8–10 mm, membranous, sparsely appressed hispid,
elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 8, equaling or shorter than
apex truncate, ciliate, cilia 2–4 mm. Inflorescence terminal or
perianth. Styles 3, connate to below middle; stigmas capitate.
axillary, spicate, erect, dense, 2–3 cm; bracts funnel-shaped,
Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-brown, shiny,
margin largely ciliate, each 2–4-flowered. Pedicel 1–1.5 mm.
Perianth rose-pink, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 1–1.5 mm. Stamens ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3 mm. Fl. Sep–Oct, fr. Oct–Nov.
5 or 6. Styles 2; stigmas capitate. Achenes black, shiny, ovoid, ● Valleys, humid places along ditches; 100–300 m. Guangdong,
biconvex, 1–1.5 mm. Fl. May–Sep, fr. Jun–Oct. Guangxi, Hubei, Hunan, ?Yunnan.

3. Polygonum sect. Bistorta (Miller) D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 69. 1825.
拳参组 quan shen zu
Bistorta Miller, Gard. Dict. Abr., ed. 4, [194]. 1754.
Plants without prickles. Leaves lanceolate to ovate or elliptical, margin revolute. Inflorescence a solitary terminal spike. Tepals
free or only slightly fused at base. Inner nectaries confluent with inner filament bases. Styles 3, free, entire.
About 50 species: centered in the Arctic and E Asia; 22 species (six endemic) in China.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

40. Polygonum suffultoides A. J. Li, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ning-
15: 415. 1995. xia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan
[Bhutan, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia,
珠芽支柱拳参 zhu ya zhi zhu quan shen Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sikkim, Tajikistan, Thailand; SW Asia, Eu-
rope, North America].
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, large, ca. 1 cm in
diam. Stems 1–3 from rhizome, erect, 30–60 cm tall, simple. 41b. Polygonum viviparum var. tenuifolium Y. L. Liu, J.
Basal leaves: petiole 4–12 cm; leaf blade greenish abaxially, NorthW. Teachers’ Coll., Nat. Sci. 3: 45. 1985 or 1987.
green adaxially, ovate or narrowly ovate, 3–8 × 2–5 cm, both
surfaces pubescent, base cordate, margin entire, apex acuminate 细叶珠芽拳参 xi ye zhu ya quan shen
or acute. Cauline leaves: petiole short; leaf blade narrowly Polygonum tenuifolium H. W. Kung, Contr. Inst. Bot.
ovate, base cordate, apex acuminate; upper leaves smaller, ses- Natl. Acad. Peiping 3: 367. 1935, not Stephan ex Ledebour
sile, clasping, sometimes with axillary bulbils; ocrea brown, (1850); P. viviparum var. angustum A. J. Li, nom. illeg. superfl.
tubular, 1.5–2.5 cm, membranous, apex oblique, not ciliate,
dehiscent. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, lax, 2–5 cm, slender, Leaf blade linear, 2–3 mm wide.
lower part with bulbils; bracts brown, narrowly ovate, 2.5–3 ● Forest margins, grassy slopes; 2000–4300 m. Gansu, Qinghai,
mm, apex long acuminate, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicels Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan.
shorter than bracts, 2–2.5 mm. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-
parted; tepals oblong, ca. 2 mm. Stamens 8, equaling perianth. 42. Polygonum pacificum V. Petrov ex Komarov, Trudy Imp.
Ovary ovoid, trigonous; styles 3, connate at base; stigma capi- S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 29: 55. 1923.
tate. Fl. and fr. Jul–Oct. 太平洋拳参 tai ping yang quan shen
● Forests on mountain slopes, alpine meadows; 3200–4500 m.
Bistorta pacifica (V. Petrov ex Komarov) Komarov ex
NW Yunnan.
Kitagawa; Polygonum bistorta Linnaeus subsp. pacificum (V.
41. Polygonum viviparum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 360. 1753. Petrov ex Komarov) V. N. Voroschilov.
珠芽拳参 zhu ya quan shen Herbs perennial. Rhizome black-brown, large, curved,
1.5–3 cm in diam. Stems 1–3 from rhizome, erect, 40–90 cm
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, contorted, large, tall, simple, glabrous, striate. Basal leaves long petiolate; peti-
1–2 cm in diam. Stems usually 2 or 3 from rhizome, erect, 15– ole 10–20 cm; leaf blade gray-green abaxially, green adaxially,
60 cm tall, simple. Basal leaves long petiolate; leaf blade linear, narrowly ovate, 5–15 × 3–7 cm, abaxially sparsely small papil-
ovate-lanceolate, or oblong, 3–10 × 0.2–3 cm, leathery, base lose, adaxially glabrous, base subcordate or rounded, decurrent
rounded or cuneate, margin slightly involute, apex acute. Cau- along petiole, forming narrow wing, apex acute. Cauline leaves
line leaves shortly petiolate or subsessile; leaf blade lanceolate ovate or lanceolate-ovate, base cordate, clasping; upper leaves
smaller than basal ones; ocrea: lower part green, upper part linear; ocrea: lower part green, upper part brown, tubular,
brown, tubular, oblique, membranous, not ciliate. Inflorescence membranous, dehiscent, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal,
terminal, spicate, lower part with bulbils; bracts ovate, membra- spicate, dense, 3–5 cm, 1.2–1.5 cm in diam.; bracts broadly
nous. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals broadly elliptic, elliptic, 3–4 mm, apex caudate, each 1–3-flowered. Pedicels
2–3 mm. Stamens usually 8. Styles 3, connate at base. Achenes longer than bracts, slender. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals
included in persistent perianth, dark brown, shiny, ovoid, trigo- elliptic, ca. 2.5 mm. Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3; stigmas
nous, ca. 2 mm. Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul–Sep. 2n = ca. 12*. capitate. Achenes exceeding persistent perianth, black-brown,
shiny, ovoid, sharply trigonous, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr.
Forest margins, grassy slopes, alpine steppes; 1200–5100 m.
Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Aug–Sep.
Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Slopes, forest margins, meadows; 300–2100 m. Heilongjiang,
Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Jilin, Liaoning, ?Nei Mongol [Korea, Russia (Far East)].
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Sikkim, Tajikistan, Thailand; SW
Asia, Europe, North America]. 43. Polygonum honanense H. W. Kung, Chin. J. Bot. 1(1): 14.
1936.
1a. Leaf blade oblong or ovate-lanceolate,
5–30 mm wide ..................................... 41a. var. viviparum 河南拳参 he nan quan shen
1b. Leaf blade linear, 2–3 mm wide ....... 41b. var. tenuifolium Bistorta honanensis (H. W. Kung) Yonekura & H. Ohashi.
41a. Polygonum viviparum var. viviparum Herbs perennial. Rhizomes subglobose, large. Stems erect,
珠芽拳参(原变种) zhu ya quan shen (yuan bian zhong) ca. 30 cm tall, glabrous, simple, slenderly striate. Basal leaves:
petiole large, 2–3 cm; leaf blade orbicular-ovate, 3–6 × 3–4.5
Bistorta vivipara (Linnaeus) S. F. Gray; ?B. vivipara var. cm, subleathery, both surfaces glabrous, base subcordate, de-
angustifolia Nakai; Persicaria vivipara (Linnaeus) Ronse current along petiole forming a wing, margin slightly revolute,
Decraene; Polygonum renii L. C. Wang. apex obtuse. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or subsessile; leaf
blade ovate or lanceolate; ocrea: lower part green, upper part
Leaf blade oblong or ovate-lanceolate, 3–10 × 0.5–3 cm.
brown, tubular, membranous, dehiscent, not ciliate. Inflores-
Grassy slopes, alpine steppes; 1200–5100 m. Gansu, Guizhou, cence terminal, spicate, dense, 3–4 cm, ca. 1.5 cm in diam.;
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

bracts brown, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4–5 mm, membranous, Grassy slopes, forest margins, valleys; 800–1800 m. Heilongjiang,
apex acuminate, each 3-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol [Korea, Russia (Far East)].
slender. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals narrowly elliptic, ca. 46. Polygonum ochotense V. Petrov ex Komarov, Fl. URSS 5:
3 mm. Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes 726. 1936.
light brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, equaling persistent
perianth, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. 倒根拳参 dao gen quan shen
● Rocky fissures; ca. 2500 m. Henan, ?Shaanxi. Bistorta ochotensis (V. Petrov ex Komarov) Komarov;
Polygonum bistorta Linnaeus subsp. ochotense (V. Petrov ex
44. Polygonum sinomontanum Samuelsson in Handel-
Komarov) V. N. Voroschilov.
Mazzetti, Symb. Sin. 7: 177. 1929.
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large.
翅柄拳参 chi bing quan shen Stems erect, 15–40 cm tall, glabrous. Basal leaves long petio-
Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Greene subsp. sinomon- late; petiole 6–10 cm; leaf blade green, ovate-lanceolate or
tana (Samuelsson) Yonekura & H. Ohashi; B. sinomontana oblong-lanceolate, subleathery, 5–8 × 1.5–3 cm, abaxially
densely gray-white pubescent, adaxially glabrous, base rounded
(Samuelsson) F. Miyamoto.
or subcordate, slightly decurrent along petiole, margin revolute,
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes horizontal, black-brown, large, apex acuminate. Cauline leaves smaller; petiole short; leaf
ca. 12 cm, 1–3 cm in diam. Stems usually numerous from rhi- blade ovate lanceolate; upper leaves clasping; ocrea: lower part
zome, erect, 30–50 cm tall, glabrous, simple, sometimes green, upper part brown, tubular, pubescent, not ciliate, cleft to
branched at lower part. Basal leaves long petiolate; petiole 4–14 middle. Inflorescence spicate, short, 2–3 cm, 1–1.5 cm in diam.;
cm; leaf blade broadly lanceolate or lanceolate, 6–16 × 1–3 cm, bracts brown, membranous, apex long acuminate, awned.
subleathery, abaxially sometimes puberulent along veins, adax- Pedicel slender, articulate at apex. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted;
ially glabrous, both surfaces with prominent veins, base cuneate tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 8, exserted; anthers purple.
or truncate, decurrent along petiole forming a narrow wing, Styles 3, exserted, slender; stigmas capitate. Achenes included
margin revolute, apex acuminate. Cauline leaves shortly petio- in persistent perianth, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 4 mm. Fl.
late, lanceolate, smaller; upper leaves subsessile; ocrea brown Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
throughout, tubular, 3–6 cm, membranous, apex oblique, not Mountain slopes; 1500–2500 m. Jilin [Korea, Russia (Far East)].
ciliate, cleft to base. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, 2–6 cm, 1–
1.5 cm in diam.; bracts ovate-lanceolate, 3–4 mm, apex 47. Polygonum milletii (H. Léveillé) H. Léveillé, Cat. Pl. Yun-
acuminate, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicel 4–5 mm, slender. Nan, 207. 1916.
Perianth red, 5-parted; tepals oblong, 3–5 mm. Stamens 8, 大海拳参 da hai quan shen
exserted. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in per-
sistent perianth, brown, shiny, broadly ellipsoid, trigonous, 3–4 Bistorta milletii H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni
mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct. Veg. 12: 286. 1913; B. taipaishanensis (H. W. Kung) Yonekura
& H. Ohashi; Polygonum taipaishanense H. W. Kung.
● Grassy slopes, mixed forests in valleys; 2500–3900 m. Sichuan,
Xizang, Yunnan. Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black, curved, large, 1.5–2 cm
in diam. Stems usually 2 or 3 from rhizome, erect, 30–50 cm
45. Polygonum manshuriense V. Petrov ex Komarov, Trudy tall, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves long petiolate; petiole 8–12
Imp. S.-Peterburgsk. Bot. Sada 29: 55. 1923. cm; leaf blade greenish abaxially, green adaxially, lanceolate or
耳叶拳参 er ye quan shen narrowly lanceolate, 10–20 × 1.5–3 cm, subleathery, abaxially
glabrous or pubescent, adaxially glabrous, base cuneate, decur-
Bistorta manshuriensis Komarov. rent along petiole forming narrow wing, margin entire, revolute,
apex acuminate. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or subsessile;
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black, curved, short, ca. 1 cm
leaf blade lanceolate, smaller; ocrea: lower part green, upper
in diam. Stems usually numerous from rhizome, erect, 60–80 part brown, tubular, membranous, apex oblique, not ciliate,
cm tall, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves long petiolate; petiole 8– cleft to middle. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, dense, 2–4 cm,
15 cm; leaf blade gray-green abaxially, green adaxially, oblong 1–1.5 cm in diam.; bracts brown, ovate-lanceolate, 3–4 mm,
or lanceolate, 13–15 × 2–3 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous, membranous, apex acuminate. Pedicels longer than bracts, 4–6
base cuneate, decurrent along petiole forming narrow wing, mm, slender. Perianth purple-red, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 4–5
margin entire, apex acuminate. Cauline leaves sessile; leaf mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 8, exserted; anthers black-purple.
blade lanceolate; upper leaves clasping, auriculate; ocrea: Styles 3, connate to below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes
lower part green, upper part brown, tubular, membranous, included in persistent perianth, brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous,
oblique, not ciliate, cleft to middle. Inflorescence terminal, 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
spicate, 4–8 cm, ca. 1 cm in diam.; bracts ovate, membranous, Mountain slopes, meadows, wet valleys; 1700–3900 m. ?Qinghai,
apex cuspidate, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels longer than S Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Nepal].
bracts, 4–5 mm, articulate at apex. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-
parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 3 mm. Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3; 48. Polygonum ellipticum Willdenow ex Sprengel, Syst. Veg.
stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, shiny, 2: 253. 1825.
ovoid, sharply trigonous, 3–3.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep. 椭圆叶拳参 tuo yuan ye quan shen
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Bistorta major S. F. Gray subsp. elliptica (Sprengel) A. Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large, 1–
Löve & D. Löve; Polygonum attenuatum V. Petrov ex 3 cm in diam. Stems erect, usually 2 or 3 from a rhizome, 50–
Komarov (1936), not R. Brown (1810); P. bistorta var. ellip- 80 cm tall, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves long petiolate; petiole
ticum (Willdenow ex Sprengel) Turczaninow; P. bistorta var. 10–20 cm; leaf blade broadly lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 4–
nitens Fischer & C. A. Meyer; P. nitens (Fischer & C. A. 18 × 2–5 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous or abaxially
Meyer) V. Petrov ex Komarov. pubescent, base truncate or subcordate, decurrent along petiole
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large, ca. forming narrow wing, margin revolute, apex acute or acumi-
2 cm in diam. Stems erect, 30–60 cm tall, simple, glabrous. nate. Cauline leaves sessile; leaf blade linear or lanceolate;
Basal leaves petiolate; petiole 5–9 cm; leaf blade elliptic or ocrea: lower part green, upper part brown, tubular, mem-
nearly oblong, 8–12 × 2–3 cm, papery, abaxially sparsely branous, apex oblique, cleft to middle. Inflorescence terminal,
pubescent or glabrous, adaxially glabrous, base broadly cuneate spicate, dense, 4–9 cm, 0.8–1.2 cm in diam.; bracts brownish,
or subrounded, decurrent along petiole, margin entire, apex ovate, membranous, midvein conspicuous, apex acuminate,
acute. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or sessile; leaf blade lan- each 3- or 4-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, 5–7 mm,
ceolate or linear; ocrea brown or greenish, tubular, membra- slender. Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2–3
nous, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, 2–3 cm, 1.5–2 mm. Stamens 8, equaling perianth. Styles 3, free; stigmas
cm in diam.; bracts brown, broadly ovate, membranous, apex capitate. Achenes slightly exceeding persistent perianth, brown,
long acuminate, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicels longer than shiny, ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–
bracts, 4–5 mm. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals narrowly Sep.
elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3, connate at Hilly grasslands, meadows; 800–3000 m. Anhui, Gansu, Hebei,
base; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning,
brown, shiny, ovoid, sharply trigonous, 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Zhejiang [Japan,
fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 22. Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia; Europe].
Mountain slopes, meadows; 1500–3200 m. Jilin, Xinjiang This species is used medicinally.
[Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia (Far East, E Siberia),
51. Polygonum suffultum Maximowicz, Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci.
Tajikistan].
Saint-Pétersbourg 22: 233. 1877.
49. Polygonum alopecuroides Turczaninow ex Besser, Fl.
支柱拳参 zhi zhu quan shen
Beibl. 23. 1834.
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, usually torulose,
狐尾拳参 hu wei quan shen
large. Stems usually 3 or 4 from rhizome, erect or ascending,
Bistorta alopecuroides (Turczaninow ex Besser) 10–40 cm tall, simple or branched above, slender. Basal leaves
Komarov; B. alopecuroides (Turczaninow ex Besser) Komarov long petiolate; petiole 4–15 cm; leaf blade ovate or narrowly
f. pilosa (C. F. Fang) Kitagawa; Polygonum alopecuroides ovate, 5–12 × 3–6 cm, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely
Turczaninow ex Besser f. pilosum C. F. Fang. pubescent, shortly ciliate at margin, base cordate, margin entire,
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes curved, large, 1–2 cm in diam. not revolute, apex acuminate or acute. Cauline leaves shortly
Stems erect, 50–90 cm tall, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves long petiolate; leaf blade ovate, uppermost sessile, clasping; ocrea
petiolate; petiole 10–20 cm; leaf blade gray-green abaxially, brown, tubular, 2–4 cm, membranous, apex oblique, not ciliate,
green adaxially, narrowly oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 10–15 × Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, dense or lax, 1–2 cm,
1–2 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous or pubescent, base interrupted at base; bracts narrowly ovate, ca. 3 mm, mem-
cuneate, decurrent along petiole, margin entire, apex acuminate. branous, apex acuminate, each 2–4-flowered. Pedicels shorter
Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or subsessile, lanceolate, base than bracts, 2–2.5 mm, slender. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-
subrounded or nearly cordate, apex acuminate; ocrea: lower parted; tepals obovate or elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 8, ex-
part green, upper part brown, tubular, membranous, dehiscent at serted. Styles 3, connate at base; stigmas capitate. Achenes
middle, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, dense, 4–7 slightly exceeding persistent perianth, yellowish brown, shiny,
cm, ca. 1 cm in diam.; bracts broadly elliptic, apex caudate, broadly ellipsoid, sharply trigonous, 3.5–4 mm. Fl. May–Jun,
each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, slender. fr. Jun–Aug.
Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals narrowly elliptic, Slopes, forests, ditches, forest margins, wet valleys; 1300–4000
2.5–3 mm. Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. m. Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, ?Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi,
Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, shiny, narrowly Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, ?Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yun-
ovoid, sharply trigonous, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug. nan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea].

Mountain slopes, meadows; 900–2300 m. Heilongjiang, Jilin, 1a. Inflorescence dense ............................... 51a. var. suffultum
Liaoning, Nei Mongol [Mongolia, Russia (Far East, Siberia)]. 1b. Inflorescence lax, slender, interrupted
at base .................................................. 51b. var. pergracile
50. Polygonum bistorta Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 360. 1753.
51a. Polygonum suffultum var. suffultum
拳参 quan shen
支柱拳参(原变种) zhi zhu quan shen (yuan bian zhong)
Bistorta lapidosa Kitagawa; B. major S. F. Gray; B.
officinalis Rafinesque; Persicaria bistorta (Linnaeus) Sampaio; Bistorta franchetiana V. Petrov; B. majanthemifolia V.
Polygonum lapidosum (Kitagawa) Kitagawa. Petrov; B. suffulta (Maximowicz) H. Gross; ?Polygonum con-
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

stans Cummins; P. limprichtii Lingelsheim; P. majanthemifol- Inflorescence dense. Tepals elliptic, 4–5 × 2–2.5 mm.
ium (V. Petrov) Steward; P. marretii H. Léveillé.
Shaded grassy places in valleys, mixed forests on mountain
Inflorescence dense. slopes; 1000–3300 m. Hubei, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India,
Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan].
Slopes, forests, ditches; 1300–4000 m. Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou,
Hebei, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, ?Shandong, One of us (Ohba) notes that Polygonum sinomontanum differs
Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea]. from this variety by its frequently branched stem in the lower part,
winged and undulate petioles, and inflorescence usually flowering
51b. Polygonum suffultum var. pergracile (Hemsley) Sam- downward.
uelsson in Handel-Mazzetti, Symb. Sin. 7: 176. 1929.
This variety is used medicinally.
细穗支柱拳参 xi sui zhi zhu quan shen 52b. Polygonum amplexicaule var. sinense Forbes &
Polygonum pergracile Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 26: Hemsley ex Steward, Contr. Gray Herb., n.s., 5: 30. 1930.
344. 1891; Bistorta pergracilis (Hemsley) H. Gross; B. pseudo- 中华抱茎拳参 zhong hua bao jing quan shen
suffulta V. Petrov; B. suffulta subsp. pergracilis (Hemsley)
Soják. Bistorta amplexicauis subsp. sinensis (Forbes & Hemsley)
Soják; B. henryi Yonekura & H. Ohashi (2002), not B.
Inflorescence lax, slender, interrupted at base. chinensis H. Gross (1913).
● Slopes, forests, forest margins, wet valleys; 1500–3600 m.
Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, ?Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang,
Inflorescence lax. Tepals narrowly elliptic, 3–4 × 1.5–2
Yunnan, Zhejiang. mm.

52. Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 70. Grassy slopes, forests margins; 1200–3000 m. Gansu, Hubei,
Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan].
1825.
53. Polygonum griffithii J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 5: 54.
包茎拳参 bao jing quan shen
1886.
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes horizontal, purple-brown,
长梗拳参 chang geng quan shen
large, ca. 1.5 cm. Stems erect, 40–100 cm tall, robust, branched.
Basal leaves long petiolate; petiole 5–10 cm; leaf blade green- Bistorta griffithii (J. D. Hooker) A. J. C. Grierson;
ish abaxially, green adaxially, ovate or oblong-ovate, 4–10 × 2– Polygonum calostachyum Diels.
5 cm, abaxially sometimes pubescent along veins, adaxially
glabrous, base cordate, margin slightly revolute, apex long acu- Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, horizontal, large,
minate. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate; leaf blade narrowly to 20 cm, 1.5–3 cm in diam. Stems 1 or 2 from rhizome, erect,
ovate, smaller; uppermost leaves subsessile or clasping; ocrea 20–40 cm tall, simple, glabrous. Basal leaves long petiolate;
brown, tubular, 2–4 cm, membranous, dehiscent at base, not petiole large, 6–10 cm; leaf blade slightly shiny adaxially,
ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, dense or lax, elliptic, 10–15 × 3–5 cm, leathery, glabrous, midvein promi-
2–4 cm, 1–1.3 cm in diam.; bracts brown, ovate, membranous, nent, yellow-brown pubescent, rarely glabrous abaxially, base
each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, slender. broadly cuneate or rounded, margin with thickened vein tips,
Perianth red, 5-parted; tepals elliptic or narrowly elliptic, 3–5 × revolute, apex acuminate or acute. Cauline leaves shortly petio-
1.5–2.5 mm. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. late; leaf blade ovate-elliptic; uppermost leaves subsessile;
Achenes slightly exceeding persistent perianth, black-brown, ocrea tubular, 3–6 cm, membranous, glabrous, apex oblique,
shiny, ellipsoid, trigonous, 4–5 mm, tapered at both ends. not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, nutant,
lax, 3–5 cm, 1.5–2 cm in diam.; bracts broadly lanceolate or
Shaded grassy places in valleys, mixed forests on mountain
slopes, grassy slopes, forest margins; 1000–3300 m. Gansu, Hubei,
narrowly ovate, 4–5 mm, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel
Hunan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Kashmir, filiform, 1–1.2 cm, articulate at middle. Perianth purple-red, 5-
Nepal, Pakistan]. parted; tepals narrowly elliptic, 5–6 mm. Stamens 8, included.
Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent
1a. Inflorescence dense; tepals ovate-elliptic perianth, yellow-brown, shiny, narrowly ellipsoid, trigonous, 4–
to elliptic, 4–5 × 2–2.5 mm ............. 52a. var. amplexicaule
5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
1b. Inflorescence lax; tepals narrowly
elliptic, 3–4 × 1.5–2 mm .......................... 52b. var. sinense Alpine meadows, rocky fissures; 3000–5000 m. Xizang, Yunnan
[Bhutan, N Myanmar].
52a. Polygonum amplexicaule var. amplexicaule
54. Polygonum macrophyllum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 70.
包茎拳参(原变种) bao jing quan shen (yuan bian zhong) 1825.
Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Greene; B. petiolata (D. 圆穗拳参 yuan sui quan shen
Don) V. Petrov; B. speciosa (Meisner) Greene; Persicaria
amplexicaulis (D. Don) Ronse Decraene; Polygonum am- Herbs perennial. Rhizomes curved, large, 1–2 cm in diam.
biguum Meisner; P. amplexicaule var. speciosum (Meisner) J. Stems 2 or 3 from rhizome, erect, 8–30 cm tall, simple. Basal
D. Hooker; P. oxyphyllum Wallich ex Meisner; P. petiolatum leaves petiolate; petiole 3–8 cm; leaf blade gray-green abaxi-
D. Don; P. speciosum Meisner. ally, green adaxially, oblong, lanceolate, or linear-lanceolate 3–
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

11 × 0.2–3 cm, abaxially sometimes sparsely pubescent, adaxi- nate. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate, lanceolate; uppermost
ally glabrous, base subcordate or cuneate, margin with thick- leaves linear, subsessile; orchreae: lower part green, upper part
ened vein tips, revolute, apex acute. Cauline leaves shortly brown, membranous, not ciliate, dehiscent. Inflorescence spic-
petiolate or subsessile; leaf blade narrowly lanceolate or linear; ate, dense, 4–6 cm, 0.8–1.2 cm in diam.; bracts ovate lan-
ocrea: lower part green, upper part brown, tubular, membra- ceolate, membranous, apex long acuminate. Pedicels spreading,
nous, apex oblique, dehiscent, not ciliate. Inflorescence termi- longer than bracts, 5–6 mm, slender. Perianth pinkish or white,
nal, shortly spicate, 1.5–2.5 cm, 1–1.5 cm in diam.; bracts 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8; anthers red-
ovate, 3–4 mm, membranous, apex acuminate, each 2- or 3- brown. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in per-
flowered. Pedicel 4–5 mm, slender. Perianth pinkish or white, sistent perianth, shiny, ovoid, sharply trigonous, ca. 2.5 mm.
5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 8, exserted; anthers
Grassy slopes, forest margins; 1500–4000 m. ?Guangxi, Guizhou,
black-purple. Styles 3, connate at base; stigmas capitate. Sichuan, Yunnan [NE India, N Thailand].
Achenes included in persistent perianth, yellow-brown, shiny,
ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3 mm. 1a. Basal leaves glabrous on both surfaces
............................................................. 55a. var. paleaceum
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows; 2000–5000 m. Gansu, Guizhou, 1b. Basal leaves sparsely curved pubescent
?Henan, Hubei, ?Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan,
abaxially .............................................. 55b. var. pubifolium
N India, Nepal, Sikkim].

1a. Basal leaves oblong or lanceolate, 55a. Polygonum paleaceum var. paleaceum
10–30 mm wide ............................ 54a. var. macrophyllum 草血竭(原变种) cao xue jie (yuan bian zhong)
1b. Basal leaves linear-lanceolate,
2–5 mm wide .................................. 54b. var. stenophyllum Bistorta chinensis H. Gross; B. paleacea (Wallich ex J. D.
Hooker) Yonekura & H. Ohashi; B. yunnanensis H. Gross;
54a. Polygonum macrophyllum var. macrophyllum Polygonum yunnanense (H. Gross) H. Léveillé.
圆穗拳参(原变种) yuan sui quan shen (yuan bian zhong) Basal leaves glabrous on both surfaces.
Bistorta macrophylla (D. Don) Soják; B. sphaerostachya Grassy slopes, forest margins; 1500–3500 m. ?Guangxi, Guizhou,
(Meisner) Greene; B. yunnanensis H. Gross; Polygonum Sichuan, Yunnan [NE India, N Thailand].
macrophyllum f. tomentosum Kitamura; P. sphaerostachyum
This variety is used medicinally.
Meisner.
Basal leaves oblong or lanceolate, 1–3 cm wide. 55b. Polygonum paleaceum var. pubifolium Samuelsson in
Handel-Mazzetti, Symb. Sin. 7: 174. 1929.
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows; 2300–5000 m. Guizhou, ?Henan,
Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Nepal, 毛叶草血竭 mao ye cao xue jie
Sikkim].
Basal leaves sparsely curved pubescent abaxially.
54b. Polygonum macrophyllum var. stenophyllum (Meisner)
● Grassy slopes, forest margins; 2000–4000 m. Sichuan, Yunnan.
A. J. Li in C. Y. Wu, Fl. Xizang. 1: 613. 1983.
56. Polygonum subscaposum Diels, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
狭叶圆穗拳参 xia ye yuan sui quan shen Edinburgh 5: 261. 1912.
Polygonum stenophyllum Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 52. 大理拳参 da li quan shen
1826; Bistorta macrophylla var. stenophylla (Meisner) F.
Miyamoto. Bistorta subscaposa (Diels) V. Petrov; Polygonum tali-
ense Lingelsheim.
Basal leaves linear-lanceolate, 2–5 mm wide.
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, large, 2–3 cm in
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows; 2000–4800 m. Gansu, ?Qinghai, diam. Stems usually 2 or 3 from rhizome, erect, 15–30 cm tall,
Shaanxi, Sichuan, ?Xizang, ?Yunnan [N India, Nepal]. glabrous. Basal leaves petiolate; petiole 4–6 cm, glabrous; leaf
blade elliptic or elliptic-ovate, 8–13 × 4–6 cm, abaxially yel-
55. Polygonum paleaceum Wallich ex J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit.
low-brown tomentose, adaxially glabrous, midvein large, gla-
India 5: 32. 1886.
brous, base subrounded, margin with thickened vein tips,
草血竭 cao xue jie revolute, apex acuminate. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or
subsessile; leaf blade linear; ocrea: lower part green, upper part
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large, 2– brown, tubular, 5–8 mm, membranous, dehiscent, not ciliate.
3 cm in diam. Stems 1–3 from rhizome, erect, 40–60 cm tall, Inflorescence spicate, dense, 2–3 cm, 1.2–1.5 in diam.; bracts
simple, glabrous, slenderly angulate. Basal leaves long petio- brown, ovate, 3–4 mm, membranous, apex acuminate. Pedicel
late; petiole 5–15 cm; leaf blade gray-green abaxially, green 5–6 mm, articulate at apex. Perianth red, 5-parted; tepals
adaxially, narrowly oblong or lanceolate, 6–18 × 2–3 cm, narrowly elliptic, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2 mm. Stamens 8, exserted.
leathery, both surfaces glabrous or abaxially sparsely curved Styles 3, connate at base; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in
pubescent, base cuneate, rarely subcordate, margin with thick- persistent perianth, brown, shiny, narrowly ovoid, sharply
ened vein tips, slightly revolute, apex acute or slightly acumi- trigonous, 2.5–3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

● Grassy slopes; 3500–4000 m. Yunnan. Branches densely tufted, terete, herbaceous, glabrous. Basal
leaves shortly petiolate; leaf blade gray-green abaxially, green
57. Polygonum purpureonervosum A. J. Li, Bull. Bot. Res.,
adaxially, oblanceolate or lanceolate, 5–10 × 1–1.8 cm, sublea-
Harbin 15: 416. 1995.
thery, both surfaces glabrous, midvein large, base narrowly
紫脉拳参 zi mai quan shen cuneate, margin revolute, apex acute. Cauline leaves subsessile,
smaller; ocrea brown, tubular, ca. 1 cm, membranous, veins
Bistorta purpureonervosa (A. J. Li) Yonekura & H.
numerous, glabrous, apex oblique, not ciliate, usually lacerate.
Ohashi.
Inflorescence terminal, spicate, erect, dense, large, 3–6 cm, 1–
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large, 1.5 cm in diam.; bracts ovate, membranous. Pedicels longer
1.5–2 cm in diam. Stems erect, purple-red, 15–20 cm tall, than perianth. Perianth purple-red, 5-parted; tepals obovate, ca.
simple. Basal leaves petiolate; petiole purple, 3–4 cm, glabrous; 4 mm. Stamens 8; anthers purple. Styles 3, connate at base;
leaf blade gray-green abaxially, green and slightly shiny adax- stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, dark
ially, elliptic, 3–5 × 2.5–3 cm, leathery, margin with thickened brown, shiny, ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 3 mm, base narrowly
vein tips, revolute, veins purple-red and slightly prominent, cuneate, apex acute. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
base cuneate, apex subobtuse. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate Grassy slopes, rocky fissures; 4000–4900 m. Xizang [NW India,
or subsessile; leaf blades smaller than basal ones, ovate-elliptic; Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
ocrea: lower part purple-red, upper part brown, tubular, 2.5–4
mm, membranous, apex oblique, not ciliate, dehiscent at mid- 60. Polygonum vacciniifolium Wallich ex Meisner in Wallich,
dle. Inflorescence shortly spicate, 2–2.5 cm, 1.5–2 cm in diam.; Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 54. 1832.
bracts brown, ovate, membranous, apex acuminate. Pedicel 3–4 乌饭树叶蓼 wu fan shu ye liao
mm. Perianth purple-red, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 3–3.5 mm.
Bistorta vacciniifolia (Wallich ex Meisner) Greene; Persi-
Stamens 8, exserted. Styles 3, connate to below middle, exsert-
caria vacciniifolia (Wallich ex Meisner) Ronse Decraene.
ed; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth,
black-brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, Subshrubs densely tufted, 10–20 cm tall, much branched.
fr. Aug–Sep. Bark black-brown, longitudinally exfoliating; branches nearly
● Mixed thickets on mountain slopes, grassy slopes; 4000–4800
prostrate; branchlets suberect, dense. Petiole short; leaf blade
m. Sichuan (Daocheng, Xiangcheng). elliptic, 1–2 × 0.6–1 cm, thinly leathery, midvein prominent
abaxially, base narrowly cuneate, margin entire, slightly revol-
58. Polygonum coriaceum Samuelsson in Handel-Mazzetti, ute; ocrea brown, tubular, ca. 1 cm, membranous, veins nu-
Symb. Sin. 7: 174. 1929. merous, large, apex oblique, not ciliate, usually lacerate. Inflo-
革叶拳参 ge ye quan shen rescence terminal, spicate, lax, 4–8 cm, 6–8 mm in diam.;
bracts narrowly ovate, membranous, apex acute, each 1- or 2-
Bistorta coriacea (Samuelsson) Yonekura & H. Ohashi. flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts. Perianth purple-red, 5-
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes black-brown, curved, large. parted; tepals narrowly elliptic, 3.5–4.5 mm. Stamens 8, ex-
Stems 1 or 2 from rhizome, erect, 15–30 cm tall, glabrous, serted; anthers purple. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes in-
simple. Basal leaves petiolate; petiole 3–8 cm; leaf blade ovate- cluded in persistent perianth, dull, narrowly ellipsoid, trigonous,
elliptic or ovate-lanceolate, 4–14 × 2–4.5 cm, leathery, abax- 3–4 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
ially sometimes sparsely pubescent, adaxially glabrous, base Thickets on mountain slopes, mountainous rocky crevices; 3000–
truncate or subcordate, veins conspicuous, green, margin with 4200 m. Xizang [Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
thickened vein tips, revolute, apex acute or slightly obtuse.
Cauline leaves shortly petiolate; leaf blade ovate-lanceolate, 61. Polygonum emodi Meisner in Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3:
smaller; ocrea tubular, 4–5 cm, membranous, apex oblique, 51. 1832.
dehiscent, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, dense, 4– 竹叶舒筋 zhu ye shu jin
5 cm, 1.5–2 cm in diam.; bracts ovate, 3–4 mm, membranous,
apex acuminate. Pedicels longer than bracts, 4–5 mm, slender. Subshrubs tufted, 10–25 cm tall, much branched. Branches
Perianth purple-red, 5-parted; tepals oblong, 4–5 mm. Stamens creeping, rooting from nodes; bark black-brown; branchlets
8; anthers blue-black. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. Achenes erect, simple. Petiole short; leaf blade gray-green abaxially,
included in persistent perianth, yellow-brown, shiny, ovoid, green adaxially, narrowly lanceolate or broadly lanceolate, 3–
trigonous, 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct. 15 × 0.3–3.5 cm, longer than internodes, abaxially midvein
prominent, adaxially midvein large, slightly immersed, lateral
● Grassy slopes, thickets, forest margins; 2800–5000 m. Guizhou, veins conspicuous, base narrowly cuneate, margin conspicuous-
Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan. ly revolute, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 2–5 cm, membranous,
59. Polygonum affine D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 70. 1825. apex acute, dehiscent, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal,
spicate, lax, 2–6 cm, 7–8 mm in diam.; bracts brown, ovate,
密穗拳参 mi sui quan shen membranous, apex acuminate, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicels
longer than bracts, slender. Perianth purple-red, 5-parted; tepals
Bistorta affinis (D. Don) Greene; Persicaria affinis (D.
broadly elliptic, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3,
Don) Ronse Decraene; Polygonum donianum Sprengel.
connate to below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in
Subshrubs 10–15 cm tall. Rhizomes horizontal, ligneous. persistent perianth, brown, dull, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 3 mm.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Rocky fissures on mountain slopes, thickets, forests; 1300–3000 Rocky fissures on mountain slopes; 1300–2800 m. Xizang,
m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, NW India, Kashmir, Nepal, Yunnan [Bhutan, NW India, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim].
Sikkim].
61b. Polygonum emodi var. dependens Diels, Notes Roy. Bot.
1a. Plants 10–15 cm tall; leaf blade narrowly Gard. Edinburgh 5: 256. 1912.
lanceolate, 3–7 × 0.3–0.6 cm; inflorescence
2–4 cm ........................................................ 61a. var. emodi 宽竹叶舒筋 kuan zhu ye shu jin
1b. Plants 15–25 cm tall; leaf blade broadly
Bistorta emodi (Meisner) V. Petrov subsp. dependens
lanceolate, 4–15 × 1–3.5 cm; inflorescence
(Diels) Soják; B. emodi var. dependens (Diels) V. Petrov; B.
4–6 cm ................................................. 61b. var. dependens
zigzag (H. Léveillé & Vaniot) H. Gross; Polygonum zigzag H.
61a. Polygonum emodi var. emodi Léveillé & Vaniot.
竹叶舒筋(原变种) zhu ye shu jin (yuan bian zhong) Plants 15–25 cm tall. Leaf blade broadly lanceolate, 4–15
Bistorta emodi (Meisner) V. Petrov. × 1–3.5 cm. Inflorescence 4–6 cm.
Plants 10–15 cm tall. Leaf blade narrowly lanceolate, 3–7 ● Thickets, forests; 2500–3000 m. Sichuan, SE Xizang (Zayü),
× 3–6 mm. Inflorescence 2–4 cm. Yunnan.

4. Polygonum sect. Cephalophilon Meisner in Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 59. 1832.
头状蓼组 tou zhuang liao zu
Plants ± prostrate, without prickles. Leaves ovate, oblong, or lyrate. Inflorescence capitate. Tepals fused for about 1/3 their
length. Nectaries free, globular. Styles 1, bifid or trifid.
Between 20 and 30 species: mainly in E Asia; 17 species (six endemic) in China.

62. Polygonum palmatum Dunn, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew upper leaves subsessile; leaf blade ovate, elliptic, or lanceolate,
1912: 341. 1912. 4–16 × 1.5–8 cm, both surfaces glabrous or hispid, abaxially
sometimes pubescent along veins, base truncate or broadly
掌叶蓼 zhang ye liao
cordate, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate; ocrea tubular,
Cephalophilon palmatum (Dunn) Borodina; Persicaria 1.5–2.5 cm, membranous, glabrous, much veined, apex oblique,
palmata (Dunn) Yonekura & H. Ohashi; Polygonum meeboldii not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate, 3–5 mm,
W. W. Smith; P. pseudopalmatum G. Hoo. usually several capitula aggregated and panicle-like; peduncle
densely glandular hairy; bracts broadly ovate, each 1–3-
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 60–100 cm tall, stout, flowered. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals ovate, ac-
angulate, much branched upward, strigose, shortly stellate crescent in fruit, becoming blue-black, fleshy. Stamens 8,
hairy. Petiole 5–12 cm; leaf blade greenish abaxially, green
included. Styles 3, connate to below middle. Achenes included
adaxially, orbicular or broadly ovate, 7–15 × 6–14 cm, both
in persistent perianth, black, opaque, broadly ovoid, trigonous,
surfaces shortly stellate hairy, sparsely strigose, margin sparsely 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul–Nov, fr. Jul–Dec. 2n = 22*.
ciliate, sometimes decurrent along petiole forming narrow
wing, palmatipartite; lobes 5–7, ovate, base constricted, apex Wet valleys, grassy slopes, mixed forests, thickets in valleys,
acuminate; ocrea lax, tubular, 1.5–2.5 cm, membranous, shortly mountain slopes; sea level to 3000 m. Anhui, Fujian, S Gansu, Guang-
stellate hairy, strigose, oblique, margin sparsely ciliate. Inflo- dong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, S
Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India,
rescence terminal or axillary, capitate, ca. 1 cm in diam., several
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sikkim,
capitula aggregated and panicle-like; peduncle densely shortly Thailand, Vietnam].
stellate hairy, sparsely strigose; bracts lanceolate, each 2- or 3-
flowered. Pedicels shorter than bracts, glabrous. Perianth pink- 1a. Leaf blade lanceolate to broadly
ish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Stamens 8. Styles 3, lanceolate, 7–12 × 1.5–2.5 cm .......... 63c. var. paradoxum
connate to below middle. Achenes included in persistent peri- 1b. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 4–16 × 2–8
anth, brown, opaque, ovoid, trigonous, 3–3.5 mm, minutely cm.
punctate. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct. 2a. Stems and branches retrorsely hispid;
leaf blade hispid on both surfaces
Valleys along stream banks, moist forests; 400–1500 m. Anhui,
....................................................... 63d. var. hispidum
Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Yunnan
2b. Stems and branches usually glabrous;
[India].
leaf blade glabrous on both surfaces,
63. Polygonum chinense Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 363. 1753. sometimes adaxially along veins
sparsely pubescent.
火炭母 huo tan mu
3a. Leaf blade broadly ovate or
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes stout. Stems erect, 70–100 cm elliptic, 10–16 × 2–4 cm ... 63b. var. ovalifolium
tall, ligneous at base, much branched, striate, glabrous or 3b. Leaf blade ovate or narrowly
retrorsely hispid. Petiole 1–2 cm, usually auriculate at base, ovate, 4–10 × 2–4 cm ............ 63a. var. chinense
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

63a. Polygonum chinense var. chinense Don) Tzvelev; Persicaria capitata (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D.
Don) H. Gross.
火炭母(原变种) huo tan mu (yuan bian zhong)
Herbs perennial. Stems creeping, tufted, ligneous at base,
Ampelygonum chinense (Linnaeus) Lindley; Persicaria sparsely glandular hairy or nearly glabrous, much branched,
chinensis (Linnaeus) H. Gross; P. chinensis var. siamensis H. rooting from nodes, internodes shorter than leaf blades; branch-
Léveillé; Polygonum adenopodum Samuelsson; P. brachiatum let suberect, angulate, sparsely glandular hairy. Petiole 2–3 mm,
Poiret; P. sinense J. F. Gmelin. sometimes auriculate at base; leaf blade sometimes with a large
blackish spot adaxially, ovate or elliptic, 1.5–3 × 1–2.5 cm,
Stems and branches usually glabrous. Leaf blade ovate or
both surfaces glandular hairy, base cuneate, margin entire and
narrowly ovate, 4–10 × 2–4 cm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.
glandular hairy, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 5–8 mm, membra-
Wet valleys, grassy slopes; sea level to 2400 m. Anhui, Fujian, S nous, sparsely glandular hairy, apex truncate, ciliate. Inflores-
Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, cence terminal, capitate, solitary or geminate, 6–10 mm in
Jiangxi, S Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhu- diam.; peduncle glandular hairy; bracts narrowly ovate, mem-
tan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, branous. Pedicel very short. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals
Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam]. elliptic, 2–3 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, connate to
below middle, equaling perianth; stigmas capitate. Achenes in-
63b. Polygonum chinense var. ovalifolium Meisner in
cluded in persistent perianth, black-brown, slightly shiny, nar-
Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 60. 1832. rowly ovoid, trigonous, 1.5–2 mm, densely punctate. Fl. Jun–
宽叶火炭母 kuan ye huo tan mu Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.
Mountain slopes, shaded places in valleys; 600–3500 m. Guang-
Ampelygonum malaicum (Danser) M. A. Hassan; Cepha-
dong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Xizang,
lophilon malaicum (Danser) Borodina; Persicaria chinensis
Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Sri
(Linnaeus) H. Gross var. ovalifolia (Meisner) H. Hara; Poly- Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam].
gonum chinense var. malaicum (Danser) Steward; P. malaicum
Danser. This species is used medicinally, and is cultivated as an ornamen-
tal in other parts of the world (e.g., in Australia).
Stems and branches glabrous. Leaf blade broadly ovate or
65. Polygonum strindbergii J. Schuster, Bull. Herb. Boiss.,
broadly elliptic, 10–16 × 6–8 cm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Jul–Nov.
sér. 2, 8: 712. 1908.
Mixed forests; 1200–3000 m. ?Guizhou, Xizang, Yunnan [India,
S Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand]. 平卧蓼 ping wo liao

63c. Polygonum chinense var. paradoxum (H. Léveillé) A. J. Herbs perennial. Stems creeping or prostrate, rooting from
Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 25(1): 57. 1998. nodes, not tufted, not ligneous at base, branched, angulate,
sparsely pilose; branches suberect, 10–15 cm tall. Petiole 1–2
窄叶火炭母 zhai ye huo tan mu cm, sparsely pilose, sometimes aculeolate at base; leaf blade
Polygonum paradoxum H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov. cordate or ovate-cordate, 2.5–4 × 2–3 cm, both surfaces sparse-
Regni Veg. 7: 339. 1909; P. dielsii H. Léveillé; P. jucundum ly pilose, base cordate, margin entire, ciliate, apex acuminate;
Diels (1912), not Meisner (1826). ocrea tubular, 5–10 mm, membranous, sparsely pilose, apex
truncate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, usually
Leaf blade broadly lanceolate, 7–12 × 1.5–2.5 cm. Fl. Jul–
geminate, rarely solitary, 8–10 mm in diam.; peduncle densely
Nov, fr. Jul–Dec. glandular hairy; bracts narrowly ovate, ca. 3 mm, membranous,
● Grassy slopes, thickets in valleys; 900–2600 m. Guizhou, each 2- or 3-flowered. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted;
Sichuan, Yunnan. tepals elliptic, 3–4 mm. Stamens 6–8. Styles 3, connate to
63d. Polygonum chinense var. hispidum J. D. Hooker, Fl. below middle. Achenes included in persistent perianth, opaque,
Brit. India 5: 45. 1886. ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3 mm, glandular. Fl. Apr–May, fr. May–
Jun.
硬毛火炭母 ying mao huo tan mu ● Forests on mountain slopes, wet places in valleys; 2000–3000
Polygonum chinense f. hispidum (J. D. Hooker) Samuels- m. Xizang, Yunnan.
son. 66. Polygonum runcinatum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don,
Stems and branches retrorsely hispid. Leaf blade ovate to Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 73. 1825.
elliptic, both surfaces hispid. Fl. Jul–Oct, fr. Jul–Nov. 羽叶蓼 yu ye liao
Mountain slopes, thickets in valleys; 600–2800 m. Guangxi,
Herbs perennial. Rhizomes stout. Stems suberect or
Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan [India, Myanmar, Thailand].
ascending, 30–60 cm tall, angulate, pilose or subglabrous, usu-
64. Polygonum capitatum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don, ally nodes retrorsely appressed hispid. Petiole 1–1.5 cm, nar-
Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 73. 1825. rowly winged, base auriculate, upper ones often shortly petio-
late or subsessile; leaf blade 4–8 × 2–4 cm, pinnatifid; terminal
头花蓼 tou hua liao
lobe triangular, large, apex acuminate; lateral lobes 1–3 pairs,
Cephalophilon capitatum (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. smaller, margin shortly ciliate, both surfaces sparsely strigose
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

or glabrous; ocrea tubular, lax, ca. 1 cm, membranous, pubes- ole 5–10 mm, winged; leaf blade ovate-oblong, 7–10 × 2–3 cm,
cent, apex truncate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, corymbose papery, both surfaces glabrous, base broadly cuneate, decurrent
or paniculate, capitate, dense, 0.5–1.5 cm in diam.; peduncle along petiole forming a wing, margin sparsely shortly setose,
glandular hairy; bracts narrowly ovate, margin membranous. apex ?long acuminate; ocrea brown, tubular, 1–1.5 cm, mem-
Pedicels shorter than bracts, slender. Perianth pinkish or white, branous, pilose, apex truncate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or
5-parted; tepals narrowly ovate, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens usually 8, axillary, capitate, several capitula aggregated and panicle-like;
included; anthers purple. Styles 3, connate to below middle. peduncle glabrous or sparsely shortly glandular hairy; bracts
Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-brown, opaque, broadly ovate, 1.5–2 mm. Pedicels shorter than bracts. Perianth
ovoid, trigonous, 2–3 mm. 2n = 22*. pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2–2.5 mm. Stamens 6–8, inclu-
ded; anthers purple, elliptic. Styles 3, connate to below middle;
Grassy slopes, mountain slopes, wet valleys, thickets in valleys; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, yel-
800–3900 m. Anhui, ?Fujian, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei,
low-brown, opaque, broadly ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2 mm, dense-
Hunan, ?Shaanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan,
ly pitted. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
N India, Indonesia (Sumatra), ?Kashmir, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Philippines, Sikkim, Thailand]. ● Shaded places in valleys; ca. 2200 m. Yunnan.

1a. Capitulum 1–1.5 cm in diam., usually 68. Polygonum microcephalum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 72.
corymbose; leaf blade sparsely strigose 1825.
on both surfaces, lateral lobes 1–3 小头蓼 xiao tou liao
pairs ................................................... 66a. var. runcinatum
1b. Capitulum 0.5–0.7 cm in diam., several Herbs perennial. Rhizomes stout. Stems erect or de-
capitula paniculate; leaf blade glabrous cumbent, 40–60 cm tall, angulate, branched. Petiole 1–1.2 cm,
or sparsely shortly strigose on both winged; leaf blade broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, 6–10 × 2–
surfaces, lateral lobes in 1 pair ................. 66b. var. sinense 4 cm, both surfaces glabrous or pilose, base subrounded, de-
current along petiole forming a wing, margin entire, ciliate,
66a. Polygonum runcinatum var. runcinatum apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, lax, 7–10 mm, pubescent, apex
truncate, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, usually geminate, capi-
羽叶蓼(原变种) yu ye liao (yuan bian zhong)
tate, 5–7 mm in diam.; peduncle glabrous or glandular hairy;
Cephalophilon runcinatum (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. bracts ovate, apex acute. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted;
Don) Tzvelev; Persicaria morrisonensis (Hayata) Nakai; P. tepals elliptic, 2–3 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, connate
runcinata (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don) H. Gross; to below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes black-brown,
Polygonum morrisonense Hayata; P. panduriforme H. Léveillé opaque, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm, punctate.
& Vaniot. Forests, grassy places; 500–3200 m. S Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei,
Leaf blade sparsely strigose on both surfaces; lateral lobes Hunan, S Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Nepal,
Sikkim].
1–3 pairs. Capitulum usually geminate, 1–1.5 cm in diam.
1a. Peduncle glabrous; perianth white
Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 1200–3900 m. ?Fujian, Guangxi,
Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N ..................................................... 68a. var. microcephalum
India, Indonesia (Sumatra), ?Kashmir, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, 1b. Peduncle glandular hairy; perianth
Philippines, Sikkim, Thailand]. pinkish .................................... 68b. var. sphaerocephalum

66b. Polygonum runcinatum var. sinense Hemsley, J. Linn. 68a. Polygonum microcephalum var. microcephalum
Soc., Bot. 26: 347. 1891. 小头蓼(原变种) xiao tou liao (yuan bian zhong)
赤胫散 chi jing san Persicaria microcephala (D. Don) H. Gross.
Polygonum runcinatum var. exauriculatum Lingelsheim. Peduncle glabrous. Perianth white.
Leaf blade glabrous or sparsely shortly strigose on both Mixed forests on mountain slopes, grassy places in valleys; 1000–
2000 m. S Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, SW Shaanxi, Sichuan,
surfaces; lateral lobes in 1 pair. Capitulum 5–7 mm in diam.,
Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, NE India, Nepal, Sikkim].
with several capitula paniculate.
68b. Polygonum microcephalum var. sphaerocephalum
● Mountain slopes, thickets in valleys; 800–3900 m. Anhui,
(Wallich ex Meisner) H. Hara, Bull. Univ. Mus. Univ. Tokyo 2:
Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, ?Shaanxi, Sichuan,
Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang. 23. 1971.
腺梗小头蓼 xian geng xiao tou liao
This variety is used medicinally.
Polygonum sphaerocephalum Wallich ex Meisner in
67. Polygonum umbrosum Samuelsson in Handel-Mazzetti,
Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 60. 1832; Persicaria sphaerocephala
Symb. Sin. 7: 182. 1929.
(Wallich ex Meisner) H. Gross.
荫地蓼 yin di liao Peduncle glabrous. Perianth pinkish.
Herbs perennial. Stems decumbent, 70–90 cm tall, angu- Forests, grassy slopes; 500–3200 m. Hubei, S Shaanxi, Sichuan,
late, glabrous or sparsely shortly bristly; branches slender. Peti- Xizang, Yunnan [India, Nepal].
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

69. Polygonum wallichii Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 83. 1826. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 1 mm, apex acute.
Stamens 5 or 6. Styles 2, connate to below middle; stigmas
球序蓼 qiu xu liao
capitate. Achenes black, opaque, nearly orbicular, biconvex, ca.
Persicaria microcephala (D. Don) H. Gross var. wallichii 1 mm in diam., densely pitted. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
(Meisner) H. Hara. Grassy slopes, shaded places in valleys; 2400–2800 m. Yunnan
Herbs annual. Stems suberect or ascending, 20–30 cm tall, [Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sikkim].
angulate, glabrous. Petiole 1–2 cm, not winged, usually auricu- 72. Polygonum nepalense Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 84. 1826.
late at base; leaf blade broadly cordate or ovate-cordate, 3–5 ×
尼泊尔蓼 ni bo er liao
2–3.5 cm, abaxially sparsely strigose, adaxially subglabrous,
base subcordate, margin entire, shortly ciliate, apex acuminate; Cephalophilon nepalense (Meisner) Tzvelev; Persicaria
ocrea tubular, 6–8 mm, membranous, pilose, apex truncate, alata (Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don) Nakai; P. nepalensis
shortly ciliate. Inflorescence usually geminate, capitate, 5–8 (Meisner) H. Gross; Polygonum alatum (Buchanan-Hamilton
mm in diam.; peduncle glabrous; bracts ovate, apex obtuse, ex D. Don) Sprengel; P. alatum var. nepalense (Meisner) J. D.
glabrous. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals broadly elliptic, 2–3 Hooker; ?P. nepalense var. adenothrix Nakai; P. punctatum
mm. Stamens usually 8. Styles 3, connate to below middle; Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don (1825), not Elliott (1817), nor
stigmas capitate. Achenes black, opaque, ovoid, trigonous, 2– Rafinesque (1820); P. punctatum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D.
2.5 mm, densely punctate. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Oct. Don var. alatum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don; P. quadri-
fidum Hayata (1911), not Meisner (1840).
Mixed forests on mountain slopes, wet valleys; 2500–3400 m.
Xizang, Yunnan [NE India, Nepal, Sikkim]. Herbs annual. Stems decumbent or ascending, 20–40 cm
tall, much branched at base, rooting at lower nodes. Lower
70. Polygonum criopolitanum Hance, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot.,
leaves petiolate; petiole 2–3 cm, winged; leaf blade ovate or
sér. 5, 5: 238. 1866. triangular-ovate, 3–5 × 2–4 cm, both surfaces sparsely setose or
蓼子草 liao zi cao glabrous, sparsely yellow pellucid glandular punctate, base
broadly cuneate, decurrent along petiole forming wing, mar-
Persicaria criopolitana (Hance) Migo.
gin entire, upper leaves smaller, subsessile or clasping; ocrea
Herbs annual. Stems tufted, prostrate, 10–15 cm tall, root- brownish, tubular, 5–10 mm, membranous, apex obliquely
ing from nodes, diffusely branched from base, long strigose, truncate, not ciliate, with recurved seta at base. Inflorescence
sparsely glandular hairy. Petiole very short or nearly absent; capitate, included by an involucral leaf; peduncle long, glandu-
leaf blade narrowly lanceolate or lanceolate, 1–3 cm × 3–8 mm, lar hairy; bracts ovate-elliptic, usually glabrous, margin mem-
both surfaces strigose, base narrowly cuneate, margin ciliate branous. Pedicels shorter than bracts. Perianth purplish red or
with glandular hairs, apex acute; ocrea tubular, membranous, white, usually 4-parted; tepals oblong, 2–3 mm, apex obtuse.
densely strigose, apex truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence ter- Stamens 5 or 6, equaling perianth; anthers black-purple. Styles
minal, capitate; peduncle densely glandular hairy; bracts ovate, 2, connate at base; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in per-
2–2.5 mm, densely strigose, margin long ciliate, each 1-flow- sistent perianth, black, opaque, broadly ovoid, biconvex, 2–2.5
ered. Pedicels longer than bracts, densely glandular hairy, artic- mm, densely pitted. Fl. May–Aug, fr. Jun–Oct.
ulate at apex. Perianth purplish red, 5-parted; tepals ovate, 3–4 Mountain slopes, moist valleys; 200–4000 m. Anhui, Fujian,
mm. Stamens 5; anthers purple. Styles 2, connate at middle. Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang,
Achenes included in persistent perianth, shiny, ellipsoid, bicon- Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol,
vex, ca. 2.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Nov, fr. Aug–Dec. Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xi-
zang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan,
● In sand by riversides, wet ditches; sea level to 900 m. Anhui, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia (Far
Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, East), Sikkim, Thailand; tropical Africa].
Shaanxi, Zhejiang.
73. Polygonum glaciale (Meisner) J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India
71. Polygonum humile Meisner in Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3:
5: 41. 1886.
59. 1832.
矮蓼 ai liao 冰川蓼 bing chuan liao

Persicaria humilis (Meisner) H. Hara. Herbs annual. Stems 10–25 cm tall, slender, glabrous,
much branched at base. Petiole 1–2 cm, sometimes narrowly
Herbs annual. Stems decumbent, 5–15 cm tall, slender, winged; leaf blade ovate or broadly ovate, 0.8–2 × 0.6–1 cm,
branched, sparsely long glandular hairy. Petiole 2–3 mm, wing- both surfaces glabrous, base nearly truncate, broadly cuneate,
ed; leaf blade ovate, 5–12 × 3–6 mm, both surfaces sparsely sometimes along petiole decurrent forming narrow wing, mar-
long glandular hairy, base cuneate, decurrent along petiole gin entire or 2-lobed at base, apex acute or obtuse; ocrea
forming narrow wing, margin long ciliate and sparsely glandu- tubular, lax, membranous, glabrous, apex truncate or 2-cleft.
lar hairy; ocrea tubular, membranous, oblique, sparsely long Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate, small, 5–6 mm in
glandular hairy, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, capitate, diam.; peduncle glandular hairy in upper portion; bracts green,
small, 3–5 mm in diam.; peduncle long, slender, sparsely long ovate or broadly ovate, herbaceous, sparsely glandular hairy or
glandular hairy; bracts broadly lanceolate, 2.5–3 mm, glabrous, glabrous, margin membranous, apex acute. Perianth white or
margin membranous, not ciliate, apex acute, each 1-flowered. pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 0.5–1 mm. Stamens usually 5.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Styles 3, connate at middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included 细茎蓼 xi jing liao
in persistent perianth, black, opaque, ovoid, trigonous or
biconvex, 1–2 mm, finely glandular or pitted. Koenigia nepalensis D. Don; Persicaria minuta (Hayata)
Nakai; Polygonum minutum Hayata; P. radicans Hemsley.
Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 1300–4300 m. Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai,
Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Herbs annual. Stems decumbent, tufted, 10–30 cm tall,
Sikkim]. slender, much branched, sparsely strigose, with reflexed hairs
below nodes. Petiole 3–5 mm, strigose; leaf blade ovate or
1a. Leaf blade entire; achenes trigonous,
lanceolate-ovate, 1–3 × 0.5–1 cm, both surfaces densely or
1–1.5 mm, finely granular ...................... 73a. var. glaciale
sparsely strigose, base cuneate, margin ciliate, apex acute; ocrea
1b. Leaf blade 2-lobed at base, rarely entire;
tubular, membranous, strigose, ciliate. Inflorescence axillary or
achenes biconvex or trigonous, 1.8–2
terminal, capitate; peduncle strigose; bracts narrowly ovate,
mm, finely pitted ................................ 73b. var. przewalskii
membranous, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel ca. 1 mm,
73a. Polygonum glaciale var. glaciale articulate at apex. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals
冰川蓼(原变种) bing chuan liao (yuan bian zhong) elliptic; outer tepals 2, smaller; inner tepals 3, ca. 1.5 mm.
Stamens 3 or 4; anthers purple. Styles 3, short; stigmas capitate.
Polygonum perforatum Meisner var. glaciale Meisner in Achenes slightly exceeding persistent perianth, yellow-brown,
Candolle, Prodr. 14(1): 128. 1856; Persicaria glacialis (Meis- ± shiny, ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 2 mm, apex acute. Fl. Jul–Aug,
ner) H. Hara. fr. Aug–Oct.
Leaf blade entire. Achenes trigonous, 1–1.5 mm, finely Mountain slopes, thickets in valleys; 2000–4000 m. ?Qinghai,
glandular. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug. Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, NW India, Myanmar,
Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 2100–4300 m. Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai,
Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Nepal, 76. Polygonum cyanandrum Diels, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard.
Sikkim]. Edinburgh 5: 257. 1912.
73b. Polygonum glaciale var. przewalskii (A. K. Skvortsov & 蓝药蓼 lan yao liao
Borodina) A. J. Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 25(1): 62. 1998.
Koenigia cyanandra (Diels) Mesicek & Soják.
洼点蓼 wa dian liao
Herbs annual. Stems erect or decumbent, 10–25 cm tall,
Polygonum przewalskii A. K. Skvortsov & Borodina,
slender, slightly angulate, branched at base. Petiole 5–10 mm;
Rast. Tsentral. Azii 9: 106. 1989.
leaf blade ovate or narrowly ovate, 1–2 × 0.5–1 cm, papery,
Leaf blade 2-lobed at base, rarely entire. Achenes bicon- both surfaces pilose or nearly glabrous, base subtruncate, mar-
vex or trigonous, 1.8–2 mm, finely pitted. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul– gin entire, sparsely ciliate, apex acute; ocrea brown, tubular,
Aug. membranous, lax, pilose, dehiscent at apex, not ciliate. Inflo-
Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 1300–3600 m. Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai,
rescence terminal or axillary, capitate, 5–6 mm in diam.; bracts
Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Nepal]. narrowly ovate, membranous. Perianth white or greenish, 5-
parted; tepals obovate or elliptic, ca. 1.5 mm. Stamens 8,
74. Polygonum delicatulum Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. included; anthers blue. Styles 3, very short; stigmas capitate.
14(1): 127. 1857. Achenes slightly exceeding persistent perianth, brown, dull,
小叶蓼 xiao ye liao ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct.
Koenigia delicatula (Meisner) H. Hara. ● Grassy slopes, forests; 2200–4600 m. S Gansu, W Hubei,
Qinghai, S Shaanxi, Sichuan, ?Xizang, Yunnan.
Herbs annual. Stems tufted, erect, 8–15 cm tall, slender,
glabrous. Petiole short or nearly absent; leaf blade ovate, 4–8 × 77. Polygonum fertile (Maximowicz) A. J. Li, Fl. Reipubl.
3–5 cm, both surfaces glabrous, base cordate, margin entire, not Popularis Sin. 25(1): 67. 1998.
ciliate, apex acute; ocrea yellow-brown, tubular, membranous,
glabrous, 1.5–2 mm, apex 2-cleft. Inflorescence axillary, capi- 青藏蓼 qing zang liao
tate, small; peduncle very short; bracts ovate, membranous. Koenigia fertilis Maximowicz, Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci.
Pedicel short, articulate at apex. Perianth white, 5-parted; outer Saint-Pétersbourg 19: 481. 1874.
tepals 2, smaller, apex obtuse; inner tepals 3, broadly ovate,
large, ca. 1.5 mm, apex acute. Stamens 3. Styles 3, ca. 0.3 mm; Herbs annual, dwarf. Stems erect or ascending, 5–10 cm
stigmas capitate. Achenes exceeding persistent perianth, yel- tall, slender, branched, glabrous. Petiole 2–3 mm, slender; leaf
low-brown, shiny, narrowly ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm. Fl. blade obovate or elliptic, 3–6 × 2–4 mm, both surfaces glabrous
Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 28. or abaxially sparsely pilose, base subtruncate or broadly cune-
ate, margin sparsely ciliate, apex obtuse or subacute; ocrea
Alpine meadows, mountain slopes; 2600–4300 m. Sichuan,
brown, tubular, membranous, 2-cleft, base pilose, apex acute.
Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
Inflorescence axillary or terminal, fascicled. Perianth white, 4-
75. Polygonum filicaule Wallich ex Meisner in Wallich, Pl. parted; tepals elliptic or obovate, 1–1.5 mm. Stamens 3 or 4.
Asiat. Rar. 3: 59. 1832. Styles 2 or 3, very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes slightly
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

exceeding persistent perianth, brown, dull, narrowly ovoid, bi- 1a. Perianth without glandular dots;
convex, rarely trigonous, 2–2.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. fertile stamens 2–5 ......................... 78a. var. sparsipilosum
1b. Perianth with glandular dots; fertile
● Mountain slopes, moist valleys; 2700–4900 m. Gansu, Qinghai,
stamens 8 ................................................. 78b. var. hubertii
Sichuan, Xizang.
78a. Polygonum sparsipilosum var. sparsipilosum
78. Polygonum sparsipilosum A. J. Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis
柔毛蓼(原变种) rou mao liao (yuan bian zhong)
Sin. 25(1): 65. 1998.
Koenigia pilosa Maximowicz, Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-
柔毛蓼 rou mao liao Pétersbourg 27: 531. 1881; Polygonum pilosum (Maximowicz)
Herbs annual. Stems ascending or decumbent, 10–30 cm Hemsley (1891), not Roxburgh (1824).
tall, slender, angulate, branched, pilose or glabrous. Petiole 4–8 Perianth without glandular dots. Fertile stamens 2–5.
mm; leaf blade broadly ovate, 1–1.5 × 0.8–1 cm, papery, both ● Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 2300–4300 m. Gansu, ?Nei Mongol,
surfaces pilose, base broadly cuneate or subtruncate, margin Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang.
ciliate, apex obtuse; ocrea tubular, dehiscent, base densely
pubescent. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate; bracts 78b. Polygonum sparsipilosum var. hubertii (Lingelsheim)
ovate, membranous, each 1-flowered. Pedicel short. Perianth A. J. Li, Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 25(1): 65. 1998.
white or greenish, 4-parted, with glandular dots or not; tepals 腺点柔毛蓼 xian dian rou mao liao
broadly elliptic, ca. 2 mm, unequal. Fertile stamens 2–8; anthers
yellow. Styles 3, very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes included Polygonum hubertii Lingelsheim, Repert. Spec. Nov.
in persistent perianth, yellow-brown, slightly shiny, ovoid, Regni Veg. Beih. 12: 360. 1922.
trigonous, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep. Perianth with glandular dots. Fertile stamens 8.
● Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 2300–4300 m. Gansu, ?Nei Mongol, ● Grassy slopes; 2500–4100 m. Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Si-
Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xizang. chuan.

5. Polygonum sect. Aconogonon Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 43, 55. 1826.

神血宁组 shen xue ning zu
Aconogonon (Meisner) Reichenbach.
Plants without prickles. Leaves variable, not hastate or sagittate. Inflorescence diffusely paniculate. Perianth 5-parted,
sometimes enlarging in fruit. Nectaries broad and confluent at base. Style 1, trifid, or appearing capitate.
Between 20 and 30 species: mainly in the mountains of E Asia; 21 species (five endemic) in China.
For further information, the reader may wish to refer to Hong (Symb. Bot. Upsal. 30(2): 1–118. 1992).

79. Polygonum molle D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 72. 1825. ascending hairs .................................... 79a. var. molle
2b. Stems long hirsute with appressed,
绢毛神血宁 juan mao shen xue ning
deflexed hairs ....................................... 79b. var. rude
Subshrubs. Stems erect, sometimes slightly ascending,
0.9–1.5[–3] m tall, much branched, hirsute, retrorsely hirsute or 79a. Polygonum molle var. molle
glabrous. Petiole 1–1.5 cm, densely pubescent or glabrous; leaf 绢毛神血宁(原变种) juan mao shen xue ning (yuan bian
blade abaxially light green, adaxially green, elliptic or elliptic- zhong)
lanceolate, 10–20 × 3–6 cm, abaxially sericeous, adaxially
Aconogonon molle (D. Don) H. Hara; Ampelygonum molle
sparsely sericeous, densely so along veins or both surfaces gla-
(D. Don) Roberty & Vautier; Persicaria mollis (D. Don) H.
brous throughout, base cuneate, margin entire, apex acuminate;
Gross.
ocrea dark brown, tubular, 2–3 cm, membranous, oblique,
pubescent or glabrous. Inflorescence spreading, paniculate, Stems long hirsute with appressed, ascending hairs. Leaves
large; rachis and branches densely pubescent or glabrous; bracts sericeous. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Nov.
ovate. Pedicel articulate at apex. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals Slopes, forests, grassy places in valleys; 1300–3200 m. Guangxi,
elliptic, 1.5–2 mm, accrescent and fleshy in fruit, darkened. Guizhou, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, Indonesia (Sumatra), Nepal, Sik-
Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. Achenes kim, Thailand].
slightly exceeding perianth, black, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 2–
2.5 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Nov. 79b. Polygonum molle var. rude (Meisner) A. J. Li in C. Y.
Wu, Fl. Xizang. 1: 622. 1983.
Slopes, forests, grassy places and thickets in valleys; 1200–3500
m. Guangxi, Guizhou, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, N 倒毛神血宁 dao mao shen xue ning
Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim, Thailand].
Polygonum rude Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. 14(1): 137.
1a. Stems and leaves glabrous ................. 79c. var. frondosum 1856; Aconogonon molle (D. Don) H. Hara var. rude (Meisner)
1b. Stems hirsute; leaves sericeous. H. Hara; Persicaria rudis (Meisner) H. Gross; Polygonum
2a. Stems long hirsute with appressed, deflexipilosum Kitamura; P. esquirolii H. Léveillé; P. panicula-
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

tum Blume var. rude (Meisner) Steward; P. tsangschangicum branches pubescent. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted, ca. 4
Lingelsheim & Borza. mm in diam.; tepals unequal; outer 2 tepals small; inner 3 tepals
Stems long hirsute with appressed, deflexed hairs. Leaves broadly obovate, large, ca. 3 mm; bracts ovate, membranous,
sericeous. pubescent, apex acute. Pedicels longer than bracts, slender, gla-
brous or sparsely pubescent, apex articulate. Stamens 8, inclu-
Slopes, forests, thickets in valleys; 1400–3500 m. Guangxi, Gui- ded; anthers purple. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. Achenes
zhou, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India (Assam), N Myanmar, Nepal,
included in persistent perianth, brown, ovoid, trigonous, ca. 2.5
Thailand].
mm, smooth. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
79c. Polygonum molle var. frondosum (Meisner) A. J. Li in
Forests, valleys; 2200–4500 m. Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Af-
C. Y. Wu, Fl. Xizang. 1: 622. 1983. ghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
光叶神血宁 guang ye shen xue ning 1a. Leaf blade broadly lanceolate or
Polygonum frondosum Meisner in Candolle, Prodr. 14(1): oblong-lanceolate .......................... 81a. var. polystachyum
137. 1856; Aconogonon molle (D. Don) H. Hara var. frondosum 1b. Leaf blade narrowly lanceolate or
(Meisner) H. Hara; A. molle var. paniculatum (Blume) Yone- linear-oblong ...................................... 81b. var. longifolium
kura & H. Ohashi; A. paniculatum (Blume) Haraldson; Poly-
81a. Polygonum polystachyum var. polystachyum
gonum paniculatum Blume; P. paniculatum var. frondosum
(Meisner) Steward. 多穗神血宁(原变种) duo sui shen xue ning (yuan bian zhong)
Stems and leaves glabrous. Aconogonon polystachyum (Wallich ex Meisner) M. Král;
Thickets in valleys, grassy slopes; 1200–1500 m. Guangxi, Persicaria polystachya (Wallich ex Meisner) H. Gross (1913),
Guizhou, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, Indonesia, Nepal, Sikkim]. not Opiz (1852); P. wallichii Greuter & Burdet; Pleuroptero-
80. Polygonum tortuosum D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 71. 1825. pyrum polystachyum (Wallich ex Meisner) Munshi & Javeid;
Reynoutria polystachya (Wallich ex Meisner) Moldenke;
叉枝神血宁 cha zhi shen xue ning Rubrivena polystachya (Wallich ex Meisner) M. Král.
Aconogonon tortuosum (D. Don) H. Hara; A. tortuosum Leaf blade broadly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 6–17
var. tibetanum (Meisner) S. P. Hong; Pleuropteropyrum tor- × 3–7 cm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
tuosum (D. Don) Munshi & Javeid; Polygonum peregrinatoris
Paulsen; P. tortuosum var. tibetanum Meisner. Mixed forests on mountain slopes, valleys; 2700–4500 m. Si-
chuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Myan-
Subshrubs. Roots robust. Stems erect, red-brown, 30–50 mar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sikkim].
cm tall, glabrous or pubescent; branches forked. Petiole very
short or nearly absent; leaf blade ovate or narrowly ovate, 1.5–4 81b. Polygonum polystachyum var. longifolium J. D. Hooker,
× 1–2 cm, subleathery, both surfaces pubescent or glabrous, Fl. Brit. India 5: 51. 1886.
midvein prominent abaxially, impressed adaxially, base round- 长叶多穗神血宁 chang ye duo sui shen xue ning
ed or subcordate, margin entire, ciliate, slightly revolute, nearly
undulate, apex acute; ocrea lax, brown, tubular, 1–2 cm, mem- Leaf blade narrowly lanceolate or linear oblong, 8–15 ×
branous, slightly oblique, densely pubescent. Inflorescence 1.5–3 cm.
terminal, paniculate, dense; bracts membranous, pubescent. Forests, valleys; 2200–3800 m. Xizang, W Yunnan [India, Sik-
Pedicel articulate. Perianth white, campanulate, 5-parted; tepals kim].
obovate, 2.5–3 mm, unequal. Stamens 8, included; anthers
purple. Styles 3, very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes included One of us (Hong; see Pl. Syst. Evol. 186: 95–122. 1993) considers
this to be a synonym of Persicaria wallichii (here treated as a synonym
in persistent perianth, brown, ovoid, sharply trigonous, ca. 3
of Polygonum polystachyum var. polystachyum).
mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
Grassy slopes, thickets, valleys; 3600–4900 m. Xizang [Afghani-
82. Polygonum tibeticum Hemsley, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 25: t.
stan, N India, Nepal, Pakistan; SW Asia]. 2471. 1896.

81. Polygonum polystachyum Wallich ex Meisner in Wallich, 西藏神血宁 xi zang shen xue ning
Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 61. 1832.
Aconogonon tibeticum (Hemsley) Soják; A. tortuosum (D.
多穗神血宁 duo sui shen xue ning Don) H. Hara var. glabrifolium S. P. Hong.
Subshrubs. Stems 80–100 cm, much branched, angulate, Subshrubs. Stems erect, purplish, 30–50 cm tall, glabrous,
pubescent, sometimes glabrous. Petiole large, ca. 1 cm; leaf slightly striate, few branched. Petiole 3–4 mm, glabrous; leaf
blade gray-green abaxially, green adaxially, broadly lanceolate, blade elliptic or ovate-oblong, 3–5 × 1.5–2 cm, subleathery,
oblong-lanceolate, or lanceolate, 6–17 × 3–7 cm, abaxially midvein prominent abaxially, impressed adaxially, both sur-
densely pubescent, adaxially sparsely pubescent, base hastate- faces glabrous, base cuneate, margin entire, slightly revolute,
cordate or subtruncate, apex acuminate; ocrea lax, dark brown, ciliate, apex acute or obtuse; ocrea brown, tubular, 1–1.5 cm,
tubular, oblique, 3–4 cm, membranous, densely pubescent, not membranous, veined, sparsely pubescent, oblique. Inflores-
ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, spreading; rachis and cence terminal, paniculate, dense; bracts narrowly ovate, pu-
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

bescent, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels shorter than bracts, Aconogonon hookeri (Meisner) H. Hara; Persicaria
articulate. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals obovate, ca. 3.5 acaulis Gross; P. hookeri (Meisner) Ronse Decraene; Poly-
mm, unequal. Stamens 8, included; anthers yellow. Styles 3, gonum acaule J. D. Hooker (1885), not Boissier (1879); Rheum
very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes exceeding persistent peri- hirsutifolium Losinskaja; R. hirsutum Maximowicz ex Fran-
anth, yellow-brown, slightly shiny, narrowly ovoid, trigonous, chet; R. nanum Lingelsheim ex Limpricht (1922), not Sievers
3–4 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct. ex Pallas (1796).
● Grassy slopes, wet grasslands near rivers; 4500–5000 m. Xi- Herbs perennial, dioecious. Rhizomes robust, ligneous.
zang. Stems numerous from rhizome, erect, 10–20(–30) cm tall,
sparsely hirsute, simple. Petiole 5–10 mm; leaf blade of basal
83. Polygonum nummulariifolium Meisner in Candolle, leaves narrowly elliptic or spatulate, 5–10 × 1.5–3 cm, both
Prodr. 14(1): 127. 1857. surfaces hirsute, abaxially densely hirsute along midvein, base
铜钱叶神血宁 tong qian ye shen xue ning narrowly cuneate, margin entire, densely ciliate, apex rounded;
stem leaves smaller; ocrea tubular, membranous, densely hir-
Koenigia nummulariifolia (Meisner) Mesicek & Soják; sute, oblique at apex. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, sparse-
?Polygonum forrestii Diels var. pumilio Lingelsheim. ly branched; rachis and branches hirsute; bracts narrowly lan-
ceolate, each 1-flowered. Pedicel articulate. Flowers unisexual.
Herbs perennial, dwarf. Stems creeping, forming matted
Female flower: perianth purple-red, 5-parted, margin yellow-
tufts; branches 1.5–3 cm, internodes short, rooting at nodes.
green; tepals oblong, 2–3 mm, veined, apex rounded, unequal.
Petiole ?2–5 mm, glabrous or pilose; leaf blade orbicular or
Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Male flower: stamens 8, included;
reniform-orbicular, 3–5 mm in diam., abaxially pilose, adaxi- anthers red-purple. Achenes slightly exceeding persistent peri-
ally glabrous, midvein conspicuous abaxially, base rounded, anth, brown, shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 2.5–3 mm, con-
margin nearly entire, ciliate, apex obtuse; ocrea tubular, mem- stricted at base, apex acute. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
branous, pilose, oblique. Inflorescence terminal, corymbose,
Grassy slopes, thickets in valleys, alpine meadows; 3500–5000 m.
dense. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, equal, ca. 1 mm. Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, Sikkim].
Stamens usually 5, included; anthers purple-red. Styles 2, very
The closely related Aconogonon rhombitepalum S. P. Hong (Notes
short; stigmas capitate. Achenes yellow-brown, slightly shiny,
Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 46: 361. 1990) differs in hermaphroditic flo-
broadly ovoid, biconvex, ca. 1.5 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct. wers with slightly longer pedicels and rhomboid, longer, acute tepals.
Grassy slopes; 3300–4800 m. Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India,
86. Polygonum songaricum Schrenk in Fischer & C. A.
Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].
Meyer, Enum. Pl. Nov. 1: 8. 1841.
One of us (Hong) believes that this taxon would be better treated
in the genus Koenigia. 准噶尔神血宁 zhun ga er shen xue ning

84. Polygonum forrestii Diels, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edin- Polygonum angustifolium Pallas var. songaricum
(Schrenk) Steward.
burgh 5: 258. 1912.
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 20–60 cm tall, branched
六铜钱叶神血宁 liu tong qian ye shen xue ning
above, pilose, striate. Petiole 2–4 cm, pilose; leaf blade greenish
Koenigia forrestii (Diels) Mesicek & Soják. abaxially, green adaxially, ovate or broadly ovate, 5–10 × 3–5
cm, abaxially pilose, adaxially glabrous or pilose, base rounded
Herbs perennial. Stems creeping, tufted; branches erect, 5– or cordate, slightly decurrent, margin entire or slightly undulate,
20 cm tall, villous. Petiole 3–5 cm, long pilose; leaf blade densely ciliate, apex long acuminate; ocrea brown, tubular, 2–3
nearly orbicular or reniform, 1–4 cm in diam., both surfaces cm, membranous, dehiscent above, sparsely villous along veins.
long pilose or nearly glabrous, base cordate, margin densely Inflorescence terminal or axillary, paniculate, sparsely branch-
ciliate, apex obtuse; ocrea laxly tubular, membranous, pilose, ed, slightly spreading, nutant in fruit; bracts ovate, mem-
oblique. Inflorescence terminal, corymbose-cymose; bracts ob- branous, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 2–3 mm, slender, artic-
long, thinly membranous. Pedicels longer than bracts, 4–5 mm, ulate at middle. Perianth red, margin white or greenish, 5-
glabrous, apex articulate. Perianth white or yellowish, 5(or 4)- parted; tepals elliptic, unequal, 2.5–3 mm, enlarged in fruit, ca.
parted; tepals obovate, 4–5 mm, unequal. Stamens 6–8; anthers 4 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, included. Styles 3; stigmas capitate.
purple. Styles 3, very short; stigmas capitate. Achenes included Achenes equaling persistent perianth, brown, shiny, ovoid,
in persistent perianth, yellow-brown, dull, narrowly ellipsoid, sharply trigonous, 3.5–4 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.
trigonous, narrow at base, 2–3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
Grassy slopes, forest margins; 1800–3500 m. Xinjiang [Kazakh-
2n = 14.
stan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan].
Grassy slopes, alpine meadows; 3500–4800 m. Guizhou, Sichuan,
Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, ?Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim]. 87. Polygonum coriarium Grigorjev, Trudy Bot. Inst. Acad.
Nauk SSSR, Ser. 1, Fl. Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 1: 101. 1933.
One of us (Hong) believes that this taxon would be better treated
in the genus Koenigia. 白花神血宁 bai hua shen xue ning

85. Polygonum hookeri Meisner, Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 5, Aconogonon bucharicum (Grigorjev) Holub; A. coriarium
5: 352. 1866. (Grigorjev) Soják; A. coriarium subsp. bucharicum (Grigorjev)
Soják; Pleuropteropyrum bucharicum (Grigorjev) Nevski;
硬毛神血宁 ying mao shen xue ning Polygonum bucharicum Grigorjev.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Herbs perennial. Roots robust. Stems erect, 100–150 cm Mountain slopes, forest margins, thickets in valleys; 400–1800 m.
tall, branched, striate, glabrous. Petiole 3–4 mm; leaf blade Jilin [Korea, Russia (Far East)].
greenish abaxially, green adaxially, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 90. Polygonum sibiricum Laxmann, Nov. Com. Acad. Sci.
5–10 × 2–4 cm, abaxially pubescent, adaxially nearly glabrous, Petrop. 18: 531. 1773.
base broadly cuneate, margin bristly ciliate, apex acuminate or
acute; ocrea caducous, brown, tubular, 1.5–2.5 cm, mem- 西伯利亚神血宁 xi bo li ya shen xue ning
branous, sparsely long villous. Inflorescence terminal, panicu- Herbs perennial. Rhizomes slender. Stems decumbent or
late; branches spreading, rachis and branches glabrous; bracts suberect, 2–25(–43) cm tall, branched from base, glabrous.
lanceolate, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 3–4 mm, not articu- Petiole 0.8–1.5 cm; leaf blade narrowly elliptic or lanceolate to
late, dilated above. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals obovate, 3– linear, 3–10 cm × 1.5–15 mm, base hastate or cuneate, margin
3.5 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. entire, apex acute or obtuse; ocrea tubular, membranous, apex
Achenes equaling persistent perianth, shiny, broadly ovoid, oblique, not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, lax,
trigonous, 3–4 mm, smooth. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Sep. interrupted; bracts funnel-shaped, glabrous, each 4–6-flowered.
Mountain slopes, valleys; 1500–2900 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Pedicel short, articulate above middle. Perianth yellow-green,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan]. 5-parted; tepals oblong, ca. 3 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, included;
filaments dilated at base. Styles 3, short; stigmas capitate.
88. Polygonum platyphyllum S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang, Fl. Pl. Achenes slightly exceeding persistent perianth, black, shiny,
Herb. Chin. Bor.-Orient. 2: 108. 1959. ovoid, trigonous. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
宽叶神血宁 kuan ye shen xue ning Roadsides, saline deserts, sands, riverbanks, wet places near saline
lakes, saline areas by rivers; sea level to 5100 m. Anhui, Gansu, Hebei,
Aconogonon platyphyllum (S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang) Heilongjiang, ?Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei
Holub; Pleuropteropyrum platyphyllum (S. X. Li & Y. L. Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xin-
Chang) Kitagawa. jiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, Kashmir, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz-
stan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sikkim, Tajikistan].
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, large, to ca. 100 cm tall,
glabrous; branches spreading. Petiole short or nearly absent; 1a. Stems 10–25(–43) cm tall; leaf blade
leaf blade ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 6–10 × 2.5–5 cm, both sur- narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, 5–15
faces pilose, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, margin entire or mm wide ............................................... 90a. var. sibiricum
slightly undulate, densely ciliate; ocrea tubular, membranous, 1b. Stems 2–5(–8) cm tall; leaf blade linear,
pilose, dehiscent. Inflorescence paniculate, spreading; rachis 1.5–2.5 mm wide ................................. 90b. var. thomsonii
and branches glabrous; bracts ovate-triangular, apex acuminate, 90a. Polygonum sibiricum var. sibiricum
each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels erect, equaling bracts, ca. 2 mm,
glabrous, apex articulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals ellip- 西伯利亚神血宁(原变种) xi bo li ya shen xue ning (yuan bian
tic, ca. 2 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. zhong)
Achenes distinctly exceeding persistent perianth, usually erect, Aconogonon sibiricum (Laxmann) H. Hara; Knorringia
brown, shiny, oblong, trigonous, 4–5 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Aug– sibirica (Laxmann) Tzvelev; Persicaria sibirica (Laxmann) H.
Sep. Gross; Pleuropteropyrum sibiricum (Laxmann) Kitagawa;
Polygonum arcticum Pallas ex Sprengel.
● Mountain slopes; 200–500 m. Liaoning.
Stems 10–25(–43) cm tall. Leaf blade narrowly elliptic or
89. Polygonum limosum Komarov, Izv. Imp. Bot. Sada Petra lanceolate, 5–15 mm wide. Inflorescence large. Fl. and fr. Jul–
Velikago 16: 165. 1916. Sep.
谷地神血宁 gu di shen xue ning Roadsides, saline deserts, sands, riverbanks; sea level to 5000 m.
Anhui, Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, ?Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,
Polygonum divaricatum Linnaeus var. limosum Komarov, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong,
Fl. Mansh. 2: 140. 1903; Aconogonon limosum (Komarov) H. Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Kashmir, Kazakhstan,
Hara; Pleuropteropyrum limosum (Komarov) Kitagawa. Mongolia, Russia (Far East, Siberia), Sikkim].

Herbs perennial. Stems large, 90–150 cm tall, branched 90b. Polygonum sibiricum var. thomsonii Meisner, Ann. Sci.
above, glabrous or pubescent on nodes. Petiole 2–4 cm; leaf Nat., Bot., sér. 6: 351. 1866.
blade greenish abaxially, green adaxially, ovate or lanceolate- 细叶西伯利亚神血宁 xi ye xi bo li ya shen xue ning
ovate, 6–15 × 3–9 cm, papery, both surfaces glabrous or pilose,
base rounded, margin ciliate, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, Aconogonon pamiricum (Korshinsky) H. Hara; A. sibiri-
cum (Laxmann) H. Hara subsp. thomsonii (Meisner) Soják;
membranous, dehiscent, pilose. Inflorescence paniculate,
?Knorringia pamirica (Korshinsky) Tzvelev; K. sibirica subsp.
spreading, lax; bracts narrowly ovate, apex acute, each 2- or 3-
thomsonii (Meisner) S. P. Hong; Polygonum pamiricum
flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, slender, apex articulate.
Korshinsky; P. sibiricum subsp. thomsonii (Meisner) Rechinger
Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 1.5–2 mm. Stamens 8,
& Schiman-Czeika; P. sibiricum var. nanum Meisner.
included. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes distinctly exceed-
ing persistent perianth, pendulous, gray-brown, slightly shiny, Stems short, 2–5(–8) cm tall. Leaf blade linear, narrow,
narrowly ovoid, trigonous, 3–4 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. 1.5–2.5 mm wide. Inflorescence small. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Wet places near saline lakes, saline areas by rivers; 3200–5100 m. & Tiling, Fl. Ajan. 116. 1858; Aconogonon ajanense (Regel &
Qinghai, Xizang [Afghanistan, Kashmir, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tiling) H. Hara; Pleuropteropyrum ajanense (Regel & Tiling)
Russia, Tajikistan]. Nakai.
91. Polygonum angustifolium Pallas, Reise Russ. Reich. 3: Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 30–40 cm tall, branched
230. 1776. from base. Petiole very short; leaf blade lanceolate or broadly
狭叶神血宁 xia ye shen xue ning lanceolate, 3–5(–7) × 0.7–1.5 cm, on both surfaces or abaxially
strigose, base broadly cuneate, margin entire, ciliate, apex
Aconogonon angustifolium (Pallas) H. Hara; Persicaria
acute; ocrea tubular, membranous, pilose or glabrous. Inflo-
angustifolia (Pallas) Ronse Decraene; Pleuropteropyrum
rescence paniculate, spreading, lax; bracts ovate, pubescent or
angustifolium (Pallas) Kitagawa; Polygonum acidulum Will-
glabrous, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 2–2.5 mm, apex articu-
denow; P. alpinum var. angustissimum Turczaninow; ?P.
late. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3
divaricatum var. angustissimum f. glabrum Meisner; P. poly-
mm. Stamens 8, included; anthers yellow. Styles 3; stigmas
morphum Ledebour var. angustissimum Korshinsky.
capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, slight-
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 20–50 cm tall, branched; ly shiny, ovoid, trigonous. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
branches spreading, striate, glabrous. Petiole very short or
Grassy slopes; ca. 600 m. NE Nei Mongol [Japan, Korea, Russia
nearly absent; leaf blade narrowly linear, 3–6 cm × 2–4 mm, (Far East, E Siberia)].
both surfaces glabrous, midvein prominent, lateral veins incon-
spicuous abaxially, base narrow, margin conspicuously revol- 94. Polygonum alpinum Allioni, Auct. Syn. 42. 1773.
ute, apex slightly obtuse; ocrea caducous, tubular, membranous, 高山神血宁 gao shan shen xue ning
veined, dehiscent. Inflorescence paniculate, lax; rachis and
branches glabrous; bracts brown, ovate, membranous, apex Aconogonon alpinum (Allioni) Schur; Persicaria alpina
acute, each 1–3-flowered. Pedicel 1.5–2 mm, apex articulate. (Allioni) H. Gross; Pleuropteropyrum alpinum (Allioni)
Perianth white or milky white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, unequal, Kitagawa (1937), not Koidzumi (1916); ?P. jeholense Kita-
2–2.5 mm. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, short; stigmas gawa; ?Polygonum jeholense (Kitagawa) Baranov & Skvortsov
capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, shiny, ex S. X. Li & Y. L. Chang; P. undulatum Murray (1775), not P.
ovoid-rhomboid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug– J. Bergius (1767).
Sep. Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 50–100 cm tall, branched
Grassy slopes, hills; 600–1600 m. Hebei, Heilongjiang, Nei Mon- from above middle; branches striate, not divaricate, sparsely
gol [Mongolia, Russia (Far East, E Siberia)]. hirsute, rarely glabrous. Petiole 5–10 mm; leaf blade greenish
92. Polygonum ocreatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 361. 1753. abaxially, green adaxially, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, 3–9 ×
1–3 cm, both surfaces pilose, base broadly cuneate, margin
白山神血宁 bai shan shen xue ning entire, densely shortly ciliate, apex acute, rarely acuminate;
Aconogonon laxmannii (Lepechin) A. Löve & D. Löve; A. ocrea brown, tubular, membranous, sparsely pilose, dehiscent.
ocreatum (Linnaeus) H. Hara; A. ocreatum var. laxmannii Inflorescence terminal, paniculate; branches spreading, gla-
(Lepechin) Tzvelev; Persicaria laxmannii (Lepechin) H. Gross; brous; bracts ovate-lanceolate, membranous, each 1- or 2-flow-
Pleuropteropyrum laxmannii (Lepechin) Kitagawa; Polygonum ered. Pedicels longer than bracts, 2–2.5 mm, slender, glabrous,
laxmannii Lepechin. apex articulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, equal,
2–3 mm. Stamens 8. Styles very short; stigmas capitate.
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 30–40(–50) cm tall, Achenes exceeding persistent perianth, yellow-brown, shiny,
branched from base, sparsely pubescent or glabrous, slenderly ovoid, trigonous, 4–5 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Aug.
striate; branches spreading. Petiole 3–5 mm; leaf blade lan-
ceolate or linear-lanceolate, 4–7 cm × 5–8 mm, both surfaces Forest margins, grassy slopes; 800–2400 m. Hebei, Heilongjiang,
hirsute or abaxially hirsute, base narrowly cuneate, margin en- Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Qinghai, ?Shandong, Shanxi, Xinjiang
tire, shortly ciliate; ocrea tubular, membranous, sparsely hir- [Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia; SW Asia,
Europe].
sute, veined. Inflorescence paniculate, densely flowered;
branches spreading; bracts narrowly ovate, pubescent or gla- 95. Polygonum divaricatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 363. 1753.
brous, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 2–2.5 mm, apex artic-
叉分神血宁 cha fen shen xue ning
ulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm. Sta-
mens 8. Styles 3, short; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in Aconogonon divaricatum (Linnaeus) Nakai ex T. Mori;
persistent perianth, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 3–3.5 mm. Fl. Jul– Persicaria divaricata (Linnaeus) H. Gross; Pleuropteropyrum
Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. divaricatum (Linnaeus) Nakai.
Grassy slopes, wet valleys; 1400–2500 m. Jilin, Nei Mongol Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 70–120 cm tall, glabrous,
[Mongolia, Russia]. branched from base; branches spreading, divaricate. Petiole ca.
93. Polygonum ajanense (Regel & Tiling) Grigorjev in 5 mm; leaf blade lanceolate or oblong, 5–12 × 0.5–2 cm, both
Komarov, Fl. URSS 5: 666. 1936. surfaces glabrous or pilose, base cuneate or narrowly cuneate,
margin entire, shortly ciliate, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 1–2 cm,
阿扬神血宁 a yang shen xue ning membranous, pilose or glabrous, oblique, dehiscent. Inflores-
Polygonum polymorphum Ledebour var. ajanense Regel cence paniculate; branches spreading; bracts ovate, veined, each
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels equaling bracts, 2.5–3 mm, apex 1b. Leaves abaxially densely brown
articulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5–3 mm, tomentose ............................................... 97b. var. fulvidum
unequal. Stamens 7 or 8, included. Styles 3, very short; stigmas
97a. Polygonum campanulatum var. campanulatum
capitate. Achenes distinctly exceeding persistent perianth,
yellow-brown, shiny, broadly ellipsoid, trigonous, 5–6 mm. Fl. 钟花神血宁(原变种) zhong hua shen xue ning (yuan bian
Jul–Aug. fr. Aug–Sep. zhong)
Thickets in valleys, grassy slopes; 300–2100 m. Hebei, Heilong- Aconogonon campanulatum (J. D. Hooker) H. Hara; A.
jiang, ?Henan, ?Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, ?Qinghai, Shan- campanulatum var. oblongum (Meisner) H. Hara; Persicaria
dong, Shanxi [Korea, Mongolia, Russia (Far East, E Siberia)]. campanulata (J. D. Hooker) Ronse Decraene; Polygonum
96. Polygonum pinetorum Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 26: rumicifolium Royle ex Babington var. oblongum Meisner;
345. 1891. Reynoutria campanulata (J. D. Hooker) Moldenke.

松林神血宁 song lin shen xue ning Leaves abaxially pilose.

Slopes, wet places in valleys; 2100–4000 m. Guizhou, Sichuan,
Persicaria pinetorum (Hemsley) H. Gross; Polygonum Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim].
gloriosum H. Léveillé.
97b. Polygonum campanulatum var. fulvidum J. D. Hooker,
Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 50–120 cm tall, distinctly Fl. Brit. India 5: 52. 1886.
striate, branched from above middle, pubescent but glabrous
basally. Petiole 1–1.5 cm, pubescent; leaf blade abaxially 绒毛钟花神血宁 rong mao zhong hua shen xue ning
greenish, adaxially green, elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 7–12 × Aconogonon campanulatum (J. D. Hooker) H. Hara var.
2–5 cm, papery, both surfaces sparsely pubescent, constricted fulvidum (J. D. Hooker) H. Hara; Persicaria alpina (Allioni) H.
below, base truncate or cuneate, margin entire, densely shortly Gross var. sinica (Dammer) H. Gross; P. duclouxii (H. Léveillé
ciliate, apex long acuminate; ocrea brown, 1–2 cm, mem- & Vaniot) H. Gross; ?P. duclouxii var. hypoleuca H. Léveillé;
branous, pilose along veins, lacerate, apex oblique. Inflores- Polygonum alpinum Allioni var. sinicum Dammer; P. duclouxii
cence terminal or axillary, paniculate, to 10 cm; rachis and H. Léveillé & Vaniot; Reynoutria campanulata (J. D. Hooker)
branches pilose; bracts ovate, small, 1–1.5 mm, each 1-flow- Moldenke.
ered. Pedicel 3–4 mm, slender, pubescent, apex articulate. Peri-
anth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals caducous, obovate, 3–4 Leaves abaxially densely brown tomentose.
mm, unequal. Stamens 8, included. Styles 3, filiform, 1.5–2 Slopes, valleys; 1400–4100 m. Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan,
mm; stigmas capitate. Achenes equaling persistent perianth, Xizang, Yunnan [Nepal, Sikkim].
dark brown, slightly shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 3–4 mm. 98. Polygonum lichiangense W. W. Smith, Notes Roy. Bot.
Fl. May–Jul, fr. Jul–Sep. Gard. Edinburgh 8: 197. 1914.
● Forests, coniferous forests at mountain summits, thickets in
丽江神血宁 li jiang shen xue ning
valleys; 1900–3300 m. N Gansu, Hubei, N Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan.
Aconogonon lichiangense (W. W. Smith) Soják; Poly-
97. Polygonum campanulatum J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 5:
gonum campanulatum J. D. Hooker var. lichiangense (W. W.
51. 1886.
Smith) Steward; Reynoutria lichiangensis (W. W. Smith)
钟花神血宁 zhong hua shen xue ning Moldenke.
Herbs perennial. Stems suberect, prostrate at base, 60–90 Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 60–100 cm tall, stout, much
cm tall, branched, striate, pilose, tomentose upward. Petiole 7– branched, striate, densely setose, setae deciduous. Petiole 3–4
10 mm, densely pubescent; leaf blade narrowly ovate or mm, densely setose; leaf blade green adaxially, broadly lan-
broadly so, 8–15 × 3–5 cm, both surfaces pilose, densely so ceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 6–12 × 2–4 cm, abaxially densely
along veins or abaxially densely brown tomentose, base broadly grayish tomentose, adaxially sparsely appressed setose, midvein
cuneate or subrounded, margin densely shortly ciliate, apex conspicuous abaxially; ocrea tubular, 2–3 cm, membranous,
acuminate or caudate; ocrea tubular, 7–15 mm, membranous, veined, sparsely long setose, oblique. Inflorescence paniculate,
pilose, apex oblique. Inflorescence paniculate; rachis and large; rachis and branches densely white pubescent; bracts
branches tomentose; bracts ovate, ca. 3 mm, membranous, gla- brown, lanceolate, 2–2.5 mm, each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 3–
brous, apex acute, sparsely ciliate, each 2- or 3-flowered. 3.5 mm, slender, articulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals
Pedicel 1.5–2 mm, apex articulate. Perianth pinkish or white, 5- obovate, unequal, 4–5 mm. Stamens 8, included; anthers yel-
parted; tepals obovate, ca. 3 mm, unequal. Stamens 8, included;
low. Styles 3, ca. 0.5 mm; stigmas capitate. Achenes included
anthers purple. Styles 3, filiform, ca. 2 mm; stigmas capitate.
in persistent perianth, brown, dull, ellipsoid, trigonous, 3–3.5
Achenes included in persistent perianth, yellow-brown, slightly
mm, smooth. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
shiny, broadly ellipsoid, trigonous, ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr.
Sep–Oct. ● Grassy slopes, forest margins; 2800–4100 m. Yunnan.

Slopes, valleys; 1400–4100 m. Guizhou, W Hubei, Sichuan, 99. Polygonum cathayanum A. J. Li, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin
Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, N Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim]. 15: 417. 1995.
1a. Leaves abaxially pilose ................ 97a. var. campanulatum 华神血宁 hua shen xue ning
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Herbs perennial. Stems erect, 50–80 cm tall, branched, shorter than bracts, articulate. Perianth white, 5-parted; tepals
striate, glabrous. Petiole 2–3 mm, pilose; leaf blade greenish obovate, unequal, 3–3.5 mm. Stamens 8, included; anthers
abaxially, green adaxially, elliptic-lanceolate, 10–15 × 2–3 cm, yellow. Styles 3, ca. 0.5 mm; stigmas capitate. Achenes
both surfaces pilose, base broadly cuneate, margin shortly equaling persistent perianth, slightly shiny, ovoid, trigonous, ca.
ciliate, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, 2–3 cm, membranous, 3.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Aug–Sep.
pilose along veins, oblique, dehiscent. Inflorescence terminal,
paniculate, spreading, 10–15 cm; rachis and branches pilose; ● Grassy slopes, thickets in valleys, meadows; 3000–4600 m. S
bracts ovate, 2–2.5 mm, pilose, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan.

6. Polygonum sect. Echinocaulon Meisner in Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 3: 58. 1832.
刺蓼组 ci liao zu
Plants prostrate or climbing, with retrorse prickles on stems and petioles. Leaves hastate to sagittate. Inflorescence capitate to
shortly paniculate. Tepals fused for ca. 1/3 their length. Nectaries free, globular. Style 1, bifid or trifid.
Between 20 and 30 species: mainly in E Asia; 14 species (one endemic) in China.
For further information, the reader may wish to refer to Park (Syst. Bot. 12: 167–179. 1987; and Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 47: 1–82. 1988).

100. Polygonum perfoliatum Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 2: angulate, much branched, retrorsely prickly and densely stellate
1006. 1759. hairy. Petiole 1–5 cm, retrorsely prickly and densely stellate
hairy; leaf blade narrowly hastate, 3–8 × 2–4 cm, both surfaces
杠板归 gang ban gui
densely stellate hairy and sparsely prickly, base cordate, apex
Ampelygonum perfoliatum (Linnaeus) Roberty & Vautier; acute; ocrea tubular, apex with herbaceous wing; wing orbicu-
Chylocalyx perfoliatus (Linnaeus) Hasskarl ex Miquel; lar, margin dentate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate;
Echinocaulon perfoliatum (Linnaeus) Meisner ex Hasskarl; peduncle branched, densely stellate hairy and sparsely glan-
Fagopyrum perfoliatum (Linnaeus) Rafinesque; Persicaria per- dular hairy; bracts lanceolate, usually densely stellate hairy,
foliata (Linnaeus) H. Gross; Tracaulon perfoliatum (Linnaeus) each 2-flowered. Pedicels shorter than bracts. Perianth pinkish,
Greene; Truellum perfoliatum (Linnaeus) Soják. 5-parted; tepals broadly elliptic, ca. 4 mm. Stamens 8, in 2
whorls, included. Styles 3, connate to below middle. Achenes
Herbs annual. Stems trailing, red-brown, 0.8–2 m, branch- included in persistent perianth, deep brown, shiny, ovoid,
ed, angulate, with retrorse prickles along angles. Petiole 3–8 trigonous, ca. 3.5 mm. Fl. Jun–Sep, fr. Jul–Oct.
cm, sparsely retrorsely prickly; leaf blade triangular-peltate, 4–6
× 5–8 cm, abaxially usually sparsely retrorsely prickly along Shaded grassy places in valleys; 100–1600 m. Anhui, Guangdong,
Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning,
veins, adaxially glabrous, base truncate or subcordate, apex
Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, ?Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang
subacute; ocrea tubular, with green herbaceous orbicular wing [Japan, Korea, Russia (Far East)].
at apex, 1.5–3 cm in diam. Inflorescence terminal or axillary,
spicate, 1–3 cm; bracts ovate-orbicular, each 2–4-flowered. 102. Polygonum thunbergii Siebold & Zuccarini, Abh. Math.-
Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, ca. 3 mm, in Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. 4(3): 208. 1846.
fruit dark blue, accrescent, fleshy. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls, 戟叶蓼 ji ye liao
included. Styles 3, connate at middle. Achenes included in
persistent perianth, black, shiny, globose, 3–4 mm in diam. Fl. Polygonum arifolium Thunberg, Fl. Jap. 168. 1784, not
Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Oct. Linnaeus (1753); Helxine arifolia Rafinesque; Persicaria sinica
Migo; P. thunbergii (Siebold & Zuccarini) H. Gross; P.
Near fields and roads, wet valleys; 100–2300 m. Anhui, Fujian, thunbergii var. stolonifera (F. Schmidt) H. Gross ex Nakai;
Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Polygonum hastatotrilobum Meisner; P. pteropus Hance; P.
Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol,
sinicum (Migo) Fang & Zheng; P. stellatotomentosum W. W.
Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, ?Xizang, Yunnan, Zhe-
Smith & Ramas.; P. stoloniferum F. Schmidt; P. thunbergii var.
jiang [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Russia (Far East), Sikkim, Thailand,
stoloniferum (F. Schmidt) Makino; Tracaulon thunbergii (Sie-
Vietnam; SW Asia; introduced in North America]. bold & Zuccarini) Greene; Truellum thunbergii (Siebold &
Zuccarini) Soják.
101. Polygonum maackianum Regel, Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci.
Saint Pétersbourg, Sér. 7, 4(4): 127. 1861. Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 30–90 cm tall,
angulate, with recurved prickles, rooting at nodes in lower part.
长戟叶蓼 chang ji ye liao Petiole 2–5 cm, retrorsely prickly; leaf blade hastate, both
surfaces sparsely bristly, rarely stellate hairy, base subcordate
Persicaria maackiana (Regel) Nakai ex T. Mori; Pol-
or truncate, margin shortly ciliate, middle lobe ovate to broadly
ygonum thunbergii Siebold & Zuccarini var. maackianum
ovate, apex acuminate, basal lobes smaller, apex acute or ob-
(Regel) Maximowicz ex Franchet & Savatier; Tracaulon
tuse; ocrea tubular, short, membranous, usually apex with green
maackianum (Regel) Greene; Truellum maackianum (Regel)
herbaceous wing, margin entire or crenate, shortly ciliate.
Soják.
Inflorescence capitate; peduncle branched, pubescent below,
Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 30–80 cm tall, glandular hairy in upper part; bracts lanceolate, margin ciliate,
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

each 3- or 4-flowered. Pedicels shorter than bracts, glabrous. tepals oblong, 3–4 mm. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls. Styles 3,
Perianth pinkish or white, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 3–4 mm, connate to below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes black, dull,
apex obtuse. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls, included. Styles 3, connate subglobose, 2.5–3 mm. Fl. Jun–Jul, fr. Jul–Sep.
to below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persis-
Mountain slopes, moist valleys, mixed forests; 100–1500 m.
tent perianth, yellow-brown, opaque, broadly ovoid, trigonous, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang,
3–3.5 mm. Fl. Jul–Sep, fr. Aug–Oct. 2n = 40*. Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong,
Wet valleys, grassy slopes; 100–2400 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea, Russia (Far East)].
Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, ?Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, 105. Polygonum darrisii H. Léveillé, Repert. Spec. Nov.
Hubei, Hunan, ?Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi,
Regni Veg. 11: 297. 1912.
Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, ?Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Ja-
pan, Korea, Russia (Far East)]. 大箭叶蓼 da jian ye liao
103. Polygonum biconvexum Hayata, J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Persicaria sagittifolia H. Gross; P. senticosa (Meisner) H.
Tokyo 25: 184. 1908. Gross ex Nakai var. sagittifolia Yonekura & H. Ohashi; Poly-
双凸戟叶蓼 shuang tu ji ye liao gonum sagittifolium H. Léveillé & Vaniot (1902), not Kuntze
(1891); P. senticosum (Meisner) Franchet & Savatier var. sagit-
Persicaria biconvexa (Hayata) Nemoto; Polygonum has-
tifolium C. W. Park; Truellum darrisii (H. Léveillé) Soják.
tatotrilobum Meisner var. lenticulare Danser; P. thunbergii
Siebold & Zuccarini f. biconvexum (Hayata) Liu et al.; Truel- Herbs annual. Stems climbing or scandent, reddish purple,
lum biconvexum (Hayata) Soják. 1–2 cm tall, angulate, with sparse recurved prickles along
angles. Petiole 3–6 cm, retrorsely prickly; leaf blade narrowly
Herbs annual. Stems ascending, prostrate at base, 30–80
triangular or triangular-sagittate, 4–10 × 3–5 cm, abaxially
cm tall, branched, retrorse prickly along angles. Petiole 2–4 cm,
sparsely prickly along midvein, adaxially glabrous, base sagit-
often narrowly winged, retrorsely prickly; leaf blade hastate,
tate, margin retrorsely prickly, apex acuminate; ocrea tubular,
both surfaces bristly, sparsely shortly stellate hairy, base nearly
apex with green herbaceous lanceolate-auriculate wing, margin
truncate to cordate, margin ciliate; middle lobe broadly elliptic
not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate; peduncle
or ovate, usually contracted near base, margin ciliate, apex acu-
usually simple, sparsely prickly; bracts narrowly ovate, apex
minate; basal lobes ovate, small, apex acute to obtuse; ocrea
acuminate, usually each 2-flowered. Pedicels shorter than
tubular, 5–10 mm, apex truncate, sometimes apex with herba-
bracts. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic. Sta-
ceous wing, ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, capitate; mens 8, in 2 whorls, included. Styles 3, connate to middle;
peduncle glandular hairy; bracts lanceolate, 3.5–4 mm, apex stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, black-
acuminate, ciliate, each 2-flowered. Pedicels shorter than brown, dull, subglobose, weakly trigonous, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jun–
bracts, 2–3 mm. Perianth pinkish, 4-parted; tepals elliptic, 2.5– Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
3.5 mm, apex obtuse. Stamens 5 or 6, in 2 whorls. Styles 2,
connate to below middle; stigmas 2, capitate. Achenes included ● Wet valleys, along ditches; 300–1700 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu,
Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi,
in persistent perianth, brown, opaque, broadly ovoid, biconvex,
Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.
ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
Slopes, forest margins, wet ditches; 1500–2500 m. Taiwan One of us (Park) believes that this taxon should be recognized as a
[Indonesia (Sumatra)]. variety of Polygonum senticosum.

104. Polygonum senticosum (Meisner) Franchet & Savatier, 106. Polygonum praetermissum J. D. Hooker, Fl. Brit. India
Enum. Pl. Jap. 1: 401. 1875. 5: 47. 1886.
刺蓼 ci liao 疏蓼 shu liao
Chylocalyx senticosus Meisner, Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno- Persicaria auriculata S. K. Dixit et al.; P. hastatoauricu-
Batavi 2: 65. 1865; Persicaria senticosa (Meisner) H. Gross ex lata (Makino ex Nakai) H. Gross ex Nakai; P. praetermissa (J.
Nakai; Polygonum babingtonii Hance; ?P. senticosum var. for- D. Hooker) H. Hara; Polygonum auriculatum Makino (1903),
mosanum Ohwi; P. typhoniifolium Hance; Truellum japonicum not Meisner (1826), nor J. D. Hooker & Thomson (1886); P.
Houttuyn. birmanicum Gage; P. hastatoauriculatum Makino ex Nakai; P.
thunbergii var. hastatotrilobum subvar. eciliolatum H. Léveillé;
Herbs perennial. Stems trailing or ascending, 1–2 cm tall,
Tracaulon praetermissum (J. D. Hooker) Greene; Truellum has-
much branched, angulate, with retrorse prickles along angles;
tatoauriculatum (Makino ex Nakai) Soják; T. praetermissum (J.
petiole 2–7 cm, retrorsely prickly; leaf blade triangular or nar-
D. Hooker) Soják.
rowly triangular, 4–8 × 2–7 cm, both surfaces pubescent,
abaxially with sparse retrorse prickles along veins, base hastate Herbs annual. Stems decumbent or erect, 30–90 cm tall,
or broadly cordate, margin retrorsely prickly, apex acuminate; branched, angulate, with sparse retrorse prickles along angles.
ocrea tubular, 5–10 mm, membranous, apex with green herba- Petiole 5–10 mm, prickly; leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly
ceous reniform-orbicular wing, margin ciliate. Inflorescence oblong, 4–8 × 0.5–1.5 cm, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely
terminal or axillary, capitate; peduncles branched, shortly pubescent, abaxially sparsely prickly along midvein, base sagit-
glandular hairy; bracts narrowly ovate, ciliate. Pedicels shorter tate, margin ciliate, apex acute; ocrea tubular, 1–1.5 mm, mem-
than bracts, 1.5–2.5 mm, glabrous. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; branous, base with retrorse prickles, apex oblique, usually
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

shortly ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or in axils of upper Herbs annual, scandent, 0.3–2 m tall. Stem light green to
leaves, spicate, lax, interrupted at base; peduncle dichotomously green, often becoming reddish purple at maturity, simple to
branching, glandular hairy in upper part; bracts funnel-shaped, extensively branched, glabrous, angulate, with recurved
usually each 2–4-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, 3–4 prickles along angles, often decumbent at base, usually pro-
mm, glabrous. Perianth pinkish, 4-parted; tepals broadly ellip- ducing fibrous roots at lower nodes. Leaves petiolate, upper
tic, 3–4 mm. Stamens 4 or 5, included. Styles 3, connate to ones often shortly petiolate or subsessile; petiole 0.5–4 cm,
below middle. Achenes included in persistent perianth, dark glabrous, retrorsely prickly along angles; leaf blade green
brown, dull, subglobose, weakly trigonous at apex, ca. 3 mm. adaxially, light green abaxially, broadly lanceolate to oblong,
Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep. 2–8.5 × 1–3 cm, thin, abaxially glabrous, abaxially usually
Marshy areas, streamsides; 1400–1800 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guang- retrorsely prickly near base of midvein, adaxially glabrous to
dong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, ?Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Xi- densely pubescent with appressed simple multiseriate hairs,
zang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Bhutan, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Philip- base sagittate to deeply cordate with small rounded or triangular
pines, Sri Lanka; Australia]. lobes, margin ciliate or eciliate, apex acute to subacute or
obtuse; ocrea oblique, 0.5–1.3 cm, scarious, glabrous, often
107. Polygonum dissitiflorum Hemsley, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 26:
weakly ciliate at tip, lower ones often lacerate. Inflorescence
338. 1891.
terminal or in axils of upper leaves, elongate, 3–15 cm, often
稀花蓼 xi hua liao slender, usually branched, usually glabrous but sometimes with
Persicaria dissitiflora (Hemsley) H. Gross ex T. Mori; P. a few recurved prickles in lower portion; inflorescence bracts
fauriei (H. Léveillé & Vaniot) Nakai ex T. Mori; Polygonum resembling ocrea but much reduced, 1.5–3 mm; each inflores-
fauriei H. Léveillé & Vaniot; P. glanduliferum Nakai; Truellum cence branch terminated by a dense headlike cluster of many
dissitiflorum (Hemsley) Tzvelev. flower fascicles. Flower fascicles usually 2- or 3-flowered,
closely spaced; bracts lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 3–5 mm,
Herbs annual. Stems erect or prostrate at base, 70–100 cm glabrous, apex strongly acuminate; bracteoles narrowly elliptic
tall, branched, sparsely retrorsely prickly, usually with few to elliptic, 3–4 mm, glabrous, often ciliate at tip; pedicel short,
stellate hairs. Petiole 2–5 cm, stellate hairy, often retrorsely 1–1.5 mm, glabrous, included in bracteoles. Perianth white to
prickly; leaf blade light green abaxially, green adaxially, ovate- greenish white, often reddish, 3–5 mm, 5-parted; tepals broadly
elliptic, 4–15 × 3–7 cm, abaxially sparsely stellate hairy and elliptic, not becoming fleshy, apex obtuse. Stamens 8, inserted
retrorsely prickly along midvein, adaxially sparsely stellate at base of perianth in 2 whorls; inner stamens 3, ca. 2 mm; outer
hairy and bristly, base cordate or hastate, margin shortly ciliate, stamens 5, 1–1.5 mm. Style 1, 3-cleft to middle, ca. 0.5 mm,
apex acuminate; ocrea tubular, 0.6–1.5 cm, membranous, included; stigmas 3. Achenes dark brown to black, dull to
shortly ciliate, oblique. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, shiny, 3–4 mm, usually ovoid, sharply trigonous, punctate to
paniculate; peduncles slender, reddish purple glandular hairy; smooth, apex acute.
bracts green, funnel-shaped, 2.5–3 mm, margin strongly ciliate,
each 1- or 2-flowered. Pedicel 2–3 mm. Perianth pink, 5-parted; In moist grassy situations, often in partial shade, occurring
tepals elliptic, ca. 3 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, in 2 whorls, included. naturally in meadows, pastures, margins of swamps, ponds, and along
Styles 3, connate to below middle. Achenes included in stream banks, common as a weed along roadsides and other disturbed
sites; 100–2200 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, ?Guizhou, Hebei, Heilong-
persistent perianth, dark brown, somewhat dull, globose,
jiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mon-
weakly trigonous at apex, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug, fr. Jul–Sep.
gol, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang
Valleys, hilly grasslands, stream banks; 100–1500 m. Anhui, [N India, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Russia (Far East) (var. sieboldii); E
Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, North America: (var. sagittatum)].
Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan,
1a. Leaves strongly ciliate at margin; achenes
Zhejiang [Korea, Russia (Far East)].
smooth and shiny (in E North America) .... var. sagittatum
108. Polygonum sagittatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 363. 1753, s.l. 1b. Leaves eciliate at margin; achenes usually
punctate and dull (in E Asia) .......................... var. sieboldii
箭头蓼 jian tou liao
Polygonum sagittatum s.l. is an extremely variable species and
Helxine sagittata (Linnaeus) Rafinesque; Persicaria sagit- known from both Asia and North America. Some authors have pointed
tata (Linnaeus) H. Gross ex Nakai; P. sagittata var. sieboldii out, on the basis of differences in achene surface and leaf margin, that
(Meisner) Nakai; P. sieboldii (Meisner) K. Ohki; ?P. sieboldii North American populations are separable from Asian ones, and have
var. brevifolia Kitagawa; ?Polygonum belophyllum Litvinov; treated them as two distinct varieties of P. sagittatum, or as two distinct
?P. paludosum (Komarov) Komarov; P. sagittatum var. boreale species: P. sagittatum in North America and P. sieboldii in eastern Asia.
Meisner; P. sagittatum Linnaeus subsp. sieboldii (Meisner) V. In Park’s previous taxonomic monograph of P. sect. Echinocaulon
N. Voroschilov; ?P. sagittatum var. paludosum Komarov; ?P. (Syst. Bot. 12: 167–179. 1987; and Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 47: 1–
82. 1988), P. sagittatum and P. sieboldii are recognized as conspecific
sieboldii var. pratense Y. L. Chang & S. X. Li; P. sagittatum
mainly based on flavonoid chemistry and also the observation that
var. sibiricum Meisner; P. sagittatum var. sieboldii (Meisner)
North American plants are well within the range of variability of eastern
Maximowicz ex Komarov; P. sieboldii Meisner; Tracaulon Asian ones. However, the recent molecular analyses of North American
sagittatum (Linnaeus) Small; T. sibiricum (Meisner) Greene; T. and eastern Asian populations of P. sagittatum (Park, in prep.) show that
sieboldii (Meisner) Greene; Truellum sagittatum (Linnaeus) these disjunct populations are genetically somewhat divergent from
Soják; T. sibiricum (Meisner) Soják. each other. The degree of genetic divergence, however, strongly
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

suggests that they can be recognized either as a single polymorphic perianth, black, dull, orbicular, biconvex, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Jul–
species (P. sagittatum s.l.) or two distinct varieties of P. sagittatum, but Aug, fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 20.
they can hardly be treated as two distinct species.
Grassy valleys, near fields, roadsides; sea level to 1700 m. Gansu,
109. Polygonum dichotomum Blume, Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. 529. Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia,
1826. Shandong, Shanxi [Japan, Korea, Russia (Far East)].

二歧蓼 er qi liao 111. Polygonum muricatum Meisner, Monogr. Polyg. 74.

1826.
Persicaria dichotoma (Blume) Masamune; P. peduncu-
laris (Wallich ex Meisner) Nemoto; Polygonum pedunculare 小蓼花 xiao liao hua
Wallich ex Meisner; P. strigosum R. Brown var. pedunculare Persicaria muricata (Meisner) Nemoto; P. nipponensis
(Wallich ex Meisner) Steward; P. tetragonum Blume; Tracau- (Makino) H. Gross ex Nakai; Polygonum hastatosagittatum
lon pedunculare (Wallich ex Meisner) Greene; T. tetragonum Makino var. latifolium Makino; P. kirinense S. X. Li & Y. L.
(Blume) Greene; Truellum dichotomum (Blume) Soják. Chang; P. nipponense Makino; P. oliganthum Diels; P. stri-
Herbs annual (?perennial). Stems ascending or erect, 40– gosum R. Brown var. muricatum (Meisner) Steward; P. thun-
100 cm tall, often branched, with sparse retrorse prickles. bergii Siebold & Zuccarini var. spicatum H. Léveillé; P.
Petiole 5–10 mm; leaf blade lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 5– uniflorum Y. X. Ma & Y. T. Zhao; Tracaulon muricatum
10 × 1–3 mm, both surfaces glabrous, abaxially with retrorse (Meisner) Greene; Truellum muricatum (Meisner) Soják; T.
prickly midvein, base cuneate, truncate, or subhastate, margin nipponense (Makino) Soják.
entire, not ciliate or very shortly ciliate, apex acute; ocrea Herbs annual. Stems ascending, nearly prostrate at base,
tubular, 1.5–2 cm, membranous, usually glabrous, apex oblique, 80–100 cm tall, branched, angulate, with retrorse prickles 0.5–1
not ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, densely shortly mm along angles; petiole 0.7–2 cm, sparsely retrorsely prickly;
spicate, usually 1 or 2 × dichotomously branched; peduncle leaf blade ovate or oblong-ovate, 2.5–6 × 1.5–3 cm, abaxially
glandular hairy; bracts broadly elliptic, 2–3 mm, ciliate, each 2- sparsely stellate pubescent, shortly pubescent, with retrorse
or 3-flowered. Pedicels shorter than bracts. Perianth pinkish, 5- prickles along midvein, adaxially usually glabrous or sparsely
parted; tepals broadly elliptic, 2–3 mm. Stamens 5, included. pubescent, rarely stellate pubescent, base broadly truncate, or-
Styles 2, free; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent bicular, or subcordate, margin ciliate, apex acuminate or acute;
perianth, brown, dull, nearly orbicular, biconvex, 2–2.5 mm. Fl. ocrea tubular, 1–2 cm, membranous, glabrous, apex truncate,
Jun–Jul, fr. Aug–Oct. long ciliate. Inflorescence spicate, several spikes aggregated
Ditches, marshy areas; 100–1000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, and panicle-like; peduncles densely pubescent, sparsely glan-
?Guangxi, Hainan, ?Hubei, Taiwan [India (Assam), Indonesia, Japan dular hairy; bracts broadly elliptic or ovate, 2.5–3 mm, apex
(Ryukyu Islands), Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; acuminate, margin ciliate, usually each 2-flowered. Pedicels
Australia]. shorter than bracts, ca. 2 mm. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-part-
One of us (Park) notes that this is an extremely variable species, ed; tepals broadly elliptic, 2–3 mm. Stamens 6–8, in 2 whorls,
and consists of two varieties, Polygonum dichotomum var. dichotomum included. Styles 3, free; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in
and var. angustissimum (J. D. Hooker) C. W. Park (see Park, Mem. New persistent perianth, brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 2–2.5 mm,
York Bot. Gard. 47: 75. 1988), but only the typical variety occurs in smooth. Fl. Jul–Aug, fr. Sep–Oct.
China. Wet valleys, ditches; sea level to 3300 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guang-
110. Polygonum bungeanum Turczaninow, Bull. Soc. Imp. dong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,
Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Sichuan, ?Taiwan, ?Xizang, Yunnan,
Naturalistes Moscou 13: 77. 1840.
Zhejiang [India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Russia (Far East), Thailand].
柳叶刺蓼 liu ye ci liao
112. Polygonum strigosum R. Brown, Prodr. 420. 1810.
Polygonum pensylvanicum Bunge, Enum. Pl. China Bor.
糙毛蓼 cao mao liao
57. 1833, not Linnaeus (1753); Persicaria bungeana (Turczani-
now) Nakai ex T. Mori; Polygonum chanetii H. Léveillé. Persicaria strigosa (R. Brown) Nakai; Polygonum
bodinieri H. Léveillé & Vaniot; Tracaulon strigosum (R.
Herbs annual. Stems erect or ascending, 30–80 cm tall,
Brown) Greene; Truellum strigosum (R. Brown) Soják.
branched, retrorsely prickly. Petiole 5–10 mm; leaf blade green
adaxially, lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 4–13 × 1–3 cm, abax- Herbs annual. Stems erect or decumbent, 50–100 cm tall,
ially hispidulous, adaxially glabrous, usually hispidulous along branched, angulate, with retrorse prickles along angles. Petiole
midvein, base cuneate, margin ciliate, apex acute or subacu- 0.5–2 cm, with recurved prickles; leaf blade elliptic or lan-
minate; ocrea tubular, 1–1.5 cm, membranous, apex truncate, ceolate, 6–10 × 1–3.5 cm, abaxially usually glabrous, with
long ciliate. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, spicate, 5–10 retrorse prickles along midvein, adaxially glabrous or sparsely
mm, usually branched, interrupted at base; peduncle densely shortly strigose, base weakly cordate, truncate, or subsagittate,
glandular hairy; bracts green, funnel-shaped, not ciliate, gla- margin ciliate, apex acuminate or acute; ocrea tubular, 1.5–3
brous, often with few glandular hairs. Pedicels shorter than mm, membranous, with dense retrorse prickles at base, apex
bracts. Perianth white or pinkish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 3–4 truncate, long ciliate. Inflorescence spicate; peduncle branched,
mm. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls, included. Styles 2, connate to densely pubescent, sparsely glandular hairy; bracts elliptic or
below middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent ovate, 2–3 mm, usually strigose, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicels
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

shorter than bracts, 1–2 mm, glabrous. Perianth white or pin- tall, branched, angulate, with retrorse prickles 0.3–1 mm along
kish, 5-parted; tepals elliptic, 2–4 mm. Stamens 5–7, included. angles. Petiole 1–2.5 cm, retrorsely prickly; leaf blade lan-
Styles 2 or 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent ceolate or elliptic, 3–7(–10) × 1–2(–3) cm, glabrous or pubes-
perianth, dark brown, dull, nearly orbicular, biconvex or tri- cent, abaxially with retrorse prickles along midvein, adaxially
gonous, ca. 3 mm. Fl. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct. sometimes stellate pubescent, base sagittate or subhastate, mar-
Wet valleys, forests; 100–2000 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, gin shortly ciliate, apex acute or subacuminate; ocrea tubular,
Guizhou, ?Jiangsu, ?Xizang, Yunnan [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, 1.5–2 cm, membranous, apex truncate, long ciliate. Inflores-
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Sikkim, Thailand, cence terminal or in axil of upper leaves, spicate; peduncle
Vietnam; Australia]. dichotomous, densely pubescent, sparsely glandular hairy;
113. Polygonum hastatosagittatum Makino, Bot. Mag. bracts broadly elliptic or ovate, 2.5–3 mm, margin ciliate, usu-
(Tokyo) 17: 119. 1903. ally each 2-flowered. Pedicels longer than bracts, 4–6 mm, with
glandular hairs. Perianth pinkish, 5-parted; tepals broadly ellip-
长箭叶蓼 chang jian ye liao tic, 3–4 mm. Stamens 7 or 8, included. Styles 3, connate to be-
Persicaria hastatosagittata (Makino) Nakai ex T. Mori; P. low middle; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent
ussuriensis (Regel) Nakai ex T. Mori; Polygonum cavaleriei H. perianth, dark brown, shiny, ovoid, trigonous, 3–4 mm. Fl.
Léveillé; P. korshinskianum Nakai; P. sagittatum Linnaeus var. Aug–Sep, fr. Sep–Oct.
ussuriense Regel; P. strigosum var. hastatosagittatum (Makino)
Steward; P. ussuriense (Regel) Nakai; Truellum hastatosagit- Streamsides, wet areas; sea level to 3200 m. Anhui, Fujian,
tatum (Makino) Soják; T. korshinskianum (Nakai) Soják. Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan,
Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Taiwan, Xizang, Yun-
Herbs annual. Stems erect or prostrate at base, 40–90 cm nan, Zhejiang [Russia (Far East)].

The following taxa have been described or reported from China, but we have seen no specimens and are therefore unable to
treat them in this account. Further revisionary study is necessary.
Polygonum minutissimum Z. Wei & Y. B. Chang (Bull. Bot. Res., Polygonum pilushanense Y. C. Liu & C. H. Ou (Quart. J. Chinese
Harbin 12: 271. 1992, not L. O. Williams, 1934), described from Forest. 8: 123. 1976), described from Taiwan.
Zhejiang.

One of us (Ohba) adds the following species described under Bistorta; however, one of us (Li) has been unable to examine
material because of health reasons. We list them here pending further revisionary work on the family.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Bistorta albiflora Miyamoto & H. Ohba (Bull. Nat. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, ser. B, 28: 141. 2002), described from Sichuan.
Bistorta longispicata Yonekura & H. Ohashi (J. Jap. Bot. 76: 346. 2001), described from Xizang.
Bistorta ludlowii Yonekura & H. Ohashi (J. Jap. Bot. 76: 348. 2001), described from SE Xizang.
Flora of China 5: 278-315. 2003.

Bistorta sherei H. Ohba & S. Akiyama (Alp. Fl. Jaljale Himal. 11. 1992), reported from Xizang (see Bull. Nat. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, ser. B, 28:
145. 2002).
Bistorta tubistipulis Miyamoto & H. Ohba (Bull. Nat. Sci. Mus. Tokyo, ser. B, 28: 143. 2002), described from Sichuan.