Persicaria virginiana (L.) Gaertn - Jumpseed


 

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Persicaria virginiana - (image 1 of 5)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Polygonaceae

 

Synonymous with Polygonum virginianum L., Antenoron virgianum (L.) Roberty & Vautier, and Tovara virginiana (L.) Raf.

 

The concept of placing this species in Persicaria was first proposed by Joseph Gaertner in the late 1700's.

Habitat

Moist woodlands; wooded floodplains.

Associates

 

Distribution

NH west to MN and NE, south to FL and TX.

Morphology

Rhizomatous perennial to 1 m; stems often branched, erect, often with several inflorescences; ocreae pubescent and ciliate; leaves mainly cauline, lanceolate to ovate, to 15 cm, acuminate, on petioles to 2 cm; flowers greenish-white or pinkish, widely spaced on long, terminal, slender racemes; tepals 4; styles 2, elongate, persistent, becoming indurated (hardened), connivent (fused), and deflexed (bent downward) in fruit.

Notes

Flowers July to September

Wetland indicator: FAC

The name jumpseed refers to the ballistic dispersal of the seed when the stem is disturbed by animals; the hooked style of the fruit can attach to fur, further aiding in dispersal. This species tends to therefore found in areas frequented by mammals.  

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.

The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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 Michael Hough © 2010