Erect knotweed
| Botanical Name | Polygonum erectum |
| Common Name | Erect knotweed |
| Family | Polygonaceae - Buckwheat |
| Description | This is an extremely variable annual with wiry stems. The leaves are generally lance-shaped, blue-green and alternate. The nodes are somewhat swollen. One key characteristic that all members of the Polygonaceae family have is that of swollen nodes. The genus name Polygonum means “many knees." It can be weedy and invasive. |
| Mature Size | Up to 2’. |
| Bloom | In August and September, one to three flowers appear in the leaf axils. They are erect, inconspicuous and greenish-white. |
| Interesting Facts | According to one source of information it is a native of the Old World but is now distributed throughout North America. It is sometimes a problem in irrigated and dryland crops as well as in non-crop sites. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | At one time ancient people cultivated Polygonum erectum for its starchy seeds. |
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Photos for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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Santa Fe Botanical Garden
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the rich botanical heritage and biodiversity of the region.