Question: From a coastal island in New Brunswick, near Maine. Polygonum buxiforme? Achenes are 2.7 mm long, and the pattern on …
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Question
From a coastal island in New Brunswick, near Maine. Polygonum buxiforme? Achenes are 2.7 mm long, and the pattern on the achene surface is arranged in somewhat longitudinal rows, not sure if this is striate-papillose. Pouch-like swelling is not at base of tepals, but at base of their distinct portion. Tepals are >3 mm long, plants were prostrate on shore.
Answer
Thokozile, the best match I can see for this plant is Polygonum buxiforme. The tepal morphology looks like a good fit, as does the shape of the achene. Polygonum fowleri, another common species in saline/brackish environments has a very different achene (both in terms of its shape and surface pattern). Thanks for sharing the great images. Best wishes.
