Polygonum punctatum Elliott
Dotted smartweed
Family: Polygonaceae
Habit: Sprawling perennial 3 to 10 dm. high, branched and subglabrous.
Distribution: Common in moist low places, California to Washington.
Seed unit: Achene.
Seed: 2- to 3-angled, black or reddish shiny, often in perianth (2.0 to 3.5 mm. long).
Embryo: Peripheral curved embryo with developed cotyledon and hard, starchy endosperm.
Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU#29 - Intact achene, with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present. Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat. Piece of broken seed larger than one-half the original size.
Lab notes: Achenes are often empty.
Average pure seed units per gram: 430 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 2001 to 2002).
Range of percent pure seed: 38 to 96%
Range of percent inert: 3 to 61%
Description of inert: Plant material, broken seed, dirt.
Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-30°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.
References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 891
Ransom Seed Laboratory
