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Native Plant Trust: Go Botany Discover thousands of New England plants

Polygonum aviculare — dooryard knotweed

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Facts

Dooryard knotweed shows so much variability that it can be thought of as a swarm or complex of selfing annuals. It is found in fields, roadsides, cracks in sidewalks.

Habitat

Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

Found this plant? Take a photo and post a sighting.

North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
  • terrestrial
  • wetlands
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
Flower petal color
  • green to brown
  • pink to red
  • white
Leaf type
the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaf arrangement
alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem
Leaf blade edges
the edge of the leaf blade is entire (has no teeth or lobes)
Flower symmetry
there are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower (the flower is radially symmetrical)
Number of sepals, petals or tepals
there are five petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower
Fusion of sepals and petals
the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube
Stamen number
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
Fruit type (general)
the fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe
Fruit length
1.2–4.2 mm
Show all characteristics

  • Clonal plantlets

    Bulbils
    the plant does not appear to have bulbils
    Bulblets replace flowers
    there are no bulblets where the flowers are located

  • Flowers

    Anther color
    the anthers show no hint of a pink, reddish or purplish tint
    Anther opening
    the anthers have narrow slits or furrows that run lengthwise along the anthers
    Anther spurs
    the anthers do not have spurs on them
    Calyx growth after flowering
    the calyx does not grow to cover or partially cover the fruit
    Calyx symmetry
    there are two or more ways to evenly divide the calyx (the calyx is radially symmetrical)
    Carpels fused
    the carpels are fused to one another
    Corolla palate
    no
    Corona lobe length
    0 mm
    Epicalyx
    the flower does not have an epicalyx
    Epicalyx number of parts
    0
    Filament surface
    the filament is smooth, with no hairs or scales
    Flower description
    the flower has a superior ovary, and lacks a hypanthium
    Flower length
    2.5–4 mm
    Flower number
    1–8
    Flower petal color
    • green to brown
    • pink to red
    • white
    Flower reproductive parts
    the flower has both pollen- and seed-producing parts
    Flower symmetry
    there are two or more ways to evenly divide the flower (the flower is radially symmetrical)
    Flowers sunken into stem
    no
    Form of style
    the flower has two or more completely separate styles
    Fused stamen clusters
    NA
    Fusion of sepals and petals
    the petals or the sepals are fused into a cup or tube
    Horns in hoods (Asclepias)
    NA
    Hypanthium
    • the flower does not have a hypanthium
    • the flower has a hypanthium
    Inflorescence one-sided
    the flowers are arrayed in a spiral around the inflorescence axis or branches, or occur singly, or in several ranks
    Inner tepals (Rumex)
    NA
    Length of flower stalk
    1.5–5 mm
    Length of peduncle
    0 mm
    Marks on petals
    there are no noticeable marks on the petals
    Nectar spur
    the flower has no nectar spurs
    Number of branches in umbel
    0
    Number of carpels
    3
    Number of pistils
    1
    Number of sepals, petals or tepals
    there are five petals, sepals, or tepals in the flower
    Number of styles
    3
    Ovary position
    the ovary is above the point of petal and/or sepal attachment
    Perianth shape
    • the perianth is campanulate (bell-shaped, with a tube about as long as wide, flaring at the mouth)
    • the perianth is urceolate (urn-shaped, with a swollen tube contracted near the top, then slightly expanded in a narrow rim)
    Petal and sepal arrangement
    the flower includes two cycles of petal- or sepal-like structures
    Petal and sepal colors
    • green to brown
    • pink to red
    • white
    Petal appearance
    the petals are thin and delicate, and pigmented (colored other than green or brown)
    Petal folds or pleats
    • the petals of the flower do not have folds or plaits
    • the petals of the flower have folds or plaits on them
    Petal hairs (Viola)
    NA
    Petal hairs on inner/upper surface
    there are no hairs on the inner/upper petal surface
    Petal length
    1.8–5.5 mm
    Petal nectaries
    the petals do not have nectaries
    Petal number
    2
    Petal shape
    • the petal outline is oblong (rectangular, but with rounded ends)
    • the petal outline is obovate (roughly egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
    Petal tips (Cuscuta)
    NA
    Raceme attachment (Veronica)
    NA
    Reproductive system
    all the flowers have both carpels and stamens (synoecious)
    Scales inside corolla
    no
    Sepal and petal color
    the petals and sepals are similar
    Sepal appearance
    the sepals resemble petals in color and texture
    Sepal appendages
    the sepals do not have appendages on them
    Sepal appendages (Oenothera)
    NA
    Sepal color
    • green to brown
    • pink to red
    Sepal features
    one or more sepals are arched and enfolding, hood-shaped
    Sepal length
    1.8–5.5 mm
    Sepal number
    3
    Sepal relative length
    • the sepal lobes are approximately the same length as the fused portion
    • the sepal lobes are longer than the fused portion
    • the sepal lobes are shorter than the fused portion
    Sepal shape
    • the sepal outline is oblong (rectangular, but with rounded ends)
    • the sepal outline is obovate (egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
    Sepal texture
    the sepals are either very thin but flexible, like a membrane, or they are leaf-like in texture
    Sepal tip shape
    the sepal tip is rounded
    Sepal uniformity
    all the sepals are about the same size
    Sepals fused only to sepals
    the sepals are fused to each other (not other flower parts), at least near their bases
    Spur length
    0 mm
    Spur number
    NA
    Stamen morphology
    the stamens within a cycle differ in length or width
    Stamen number
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8
    Stamens fused
    the stamens are not attached to one another
    Staminodes
    there are no staminodes on the flower
    Style petal-like
    the styles are not petal-like
    Umbel flower reproductive parts
    NA
    Upper lip of bilabiate corolla
    NA

  • Fruits or seeds

    Achene relative orientation
    the achenes are perpendicular to the plane of the perianth (vertical)
    Achene shape
    • the achenes are another shape in outline
    • the achenes are oval in outline
    Achene surface (Polygonum)
    the achene has tiny rounded bumps or projections on it as well as parallel lines or ridges (striate-papillose)
    Achene type
    the fruit is an achene (dry, indehiscent, and usually one-seeded)
    Berry color
    NA
    Capsule color (Viola)
    NA
    Capsule ribs
    NA
    Capsule splitting
    NA
    Carpel beak length
    0 mm
    Fruit (pyxis) dehiscence
    NA
    Fruit cross-section
    the fruit is roughly triangular in cross-section
    Fruit features (Brassicaceae)
    NA
    Fruit length
    1.2–4.2 mm
    Fruit length relative to sepals
    • the fruit is about the same length as its associated sepals
    • the fruit is longer than its associated sepals
    • the fruit is shorter than its associated sepals
    Fruit locules
    one
    Fruit shape
    the fruit is ovoid (egg-shaped)
    Fruit stalk orientation
    the fruits point upward or spread or curve outward
    Fruit type (general)
    the fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe
    Fruit type (specific)
    the fruit is an achene (dry, usually one-seeded, does not separate or split open at maturity)
    Hair type on fruit
    NA
    Hairs on fruit
    the fruits are not hairy
    Legumes (Fabaceae)
    NA
    Mericarp length
    0 mm
    Mericarp segment shape (Desmodium)
    NA
    Other markings on berry
    NA
    Ovary stipe
    the ovary or fruit does not have a stipe
    Ovary stipe length
    0 mm
    Placenta arrangement
    the plant has basal placentation, where one or a few ovules develop at the base of a simple or compound ovary
    Rows of seeds in fruit (Brassicaceae)
    NA
    Schizocarpic fruit compression
    NA
    Schizocarpic fruit segments
    0
    Seed number
    1
    Septum in fruit (Brassicaceae)
    NA
    Wings on fruit
    the fruit does not have wings on it
    prickles on fruits
    the fruits do not have thorn-like defensive structures

  • Glands or sap

    Glands on leaf blade
    the leaf blades do not have glandular dots or scales
    Sap
    the sap is clear and watery
    Sap color
    the sap is clear

  • Growth form

    Growth form
    the plant is an herb (it has self-supporting stems)
    Lifespan
    the plant lives only a single year or less
    Parasitism
    the plant is not parasitic
    Plant color
    the leaves or young stems of the plant are green
    Plants darken when dry
    no
    Spines on plant
    the plant has no spines
    Underground organs
    there is a thickened taproot on the plant

  • Leaves

    Bracteole number (Apiaceae)
    0
    Bracts in plantain (Plantago)
    NA
    Final leaf segment length (compound lvs only)
    0 mm
    Final leaf segment length to width ratio (compound lvs only)
    0
    Final leaf segment width (compound lvs only)
    0 mm
    Floral bract texture
    NA
    Floral bracts
    the flower does not have bracts
    Flower bract length
    0 mm
    Hairs on underside of leaf
    the underside of the leaf is not hairy, or it has very few hairs
    Hairs on upper side of leaf
    the upper side of the leaf is not hairy, or it has very few hairs
    Hooked hairs on underside of leaf
    no
    Inflated hairs on leaf
    the leaf blade does not have inflated hairs on it
    Leaf arrangement
    alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem
    Leaf blade base
    the leaf has a distinct leaf stalk (petiole)
    Leaf blade base shape
    the base of the leaf blade is cuneate (wedge-shaped, tapers to the base with relatively straight, converging edges), or narrow
    Leaf blade base symmetry
    the leaf blade base is symmetrical
    Leaf blade bloom
    the underside of the leaf has no noticeable bloom
    Leaf blade edges
    the edge of the leaf blade is entire (has no teeth or lobes)
    Leaf blade flatness
    the leaf is flat (planar) at the edges
    Leaf blade hairs
    NA
    Leaf blade length
    6–60 mm
    Leaf blade primary vein pattern
    the secondary veins branch off at intervals from the primary vein
    Leaf blade shape
    • the leaf blade is elliptic (widest near the middle and tapering at both ends)
    • the leaf blade is lanceolate (lance-shaped; widest below the middle and tapering at both ends)
    • the leaf blade is obovate (egg-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
    • the leaf blade is spatulate (spoon-shaped; narrow near the base, then suddenly widening to a rounded tip)
    Leaf blade surface colors
    the upper side of the leaf blade is relatively uniform in color
    Leaf blade vein pattern
    the major veins of the leaf blade branch, but do not rejoin
    Leaf blade veins
    the leaf blade has one main vein running from the base towards the tip (it may or may not have secondary veins)
    Leaf blade width
    0.5–22 mm
    Leaf duration
    the leaves drop off in winter (or they whither but persist on the plant)
    Leaf form
    the leaves are green, with an expanded blade and a leaf-like texture
    Leaf hair orientation
    NA
    Leaf shiny
    the upper side of the leaf is dull or slightly shiny
    Leaf spines
    there are no spines on the leaf edges
    Leaf stalk
    the leaves have leaf stalks
    Leaf stalk attachment to leaf
    the petiole attaches at the basal margin of the leaf blade
    Leaf stalk length
    0.3–9 mm
    Leaf teeth and lobes
    the edge of the leaf blade is entire (has no teeth or lobes)
    Leaf tip
    • the tip of the leaf blade is acute (sharply pointed)
    • the tip of the leaf blade is obtuse (bluntly pointed)
    • the tip of the leaf blade is rounded, with no point
    Leaf type
    the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
    Leaf types
    NA
    Leaf variation
    the leaves are nearly similar in size, prominence of teeth, and length of stalks throughout the stem
    Leaflet number
    0
    Leaflet petiolules
    NA
    Leaves per node
    there is one leaf per node along the stem
    Pinnately compound leaf type
    NA
    Specific leaf type
    the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
    Stipels
    NA
    Stipule edges
    • the stipule margins do not have teeth
    • the stipule margins have teeth on them
    Stipule features
    • glabrous on the surface
    • the stipules have two lobes at their tips
    Stipule fused to leaf stalk
    the stipules are fused to the petioles for some or most of their length
    Stipule length
    3–15 mm
    Stipule shape
    • the stipules are capillary (very fine and hair-like, not flattened)
    • the stipules are tubular (cylindrical and hollow)
    Stipules
    the plant has stipules
    Teeth per side of leaf blade
    0

  • Place

    Habitat
    • terrestrial
    • wetlands
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • New Hampshire
    • Rhode Island
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • man-made or disturbed habitats
    • meadows or fields
    • shores of rivers or lakes

  • Scent

    Plant odor
    the plant does not have much of a smell

  • Stem, shoot, branch

    Branched tendrils
    NA
    Direction of stem hairs
    NA
    Flowering stem cross-section
    the flowering stem is circular, or with lots of small angles so that it is roughly circular
    Hair between stem nodes
    the stem has no hairs between the nodes
    Hairs between stem nodes
    the stem has no hairs between the nodes
    Hooked hairs on stem between nodes
    no
    Leaves on stem
    there is at least one full leaf above the base of the flowering stem
    Length of hairs between stem nodes
    0 mm
    Plant height
    5–200 cm
    Stem hair distribution
    NA
    Stem nodes swollen
    the stem is swollen at the nodes
    Stem orientation
    • the stems are upright or angled outwards
    • the stems trail at the base, but may turn upwards at the tips
    Stem roughness between nodes
    NA
    Stem spacing
    the plant is growing in tufts, or compact clusters with closely spaced stems, or it is densely matted together in clumps, cushionlike
    Tendril origin
    NA
    Tendrils
    the plant does not have tendrils
    Wings on stem
    the stem does not have wings on it

Wetland status

Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but occasionally in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACU)

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
present
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
present
Rhode Island
present
Vermont
present

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Massachusetts
not applicable (S-rank: SNA)

Subspecies and varieties

Polygonum aviculare L. ssp. aviculare is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.P. aviculare ssp. depressum (Meisn.) Arcang. is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.P. aviculare ssp. neglectum (Bess.) Arcang. known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.P. aviculare ssp. rurivagum (Jord. ex Boreau) Berher is known from CT, MA, ME, RI.

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

4.  Polygonum aviculare L. E

dooryard knotweed. 4a. Polygonum aequale Lindm.; P. arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau; 
 P. aviculare L.  var. arenastrum (Jord. ex Boreau) Rovy; P. aviculare L. var. depressum Meisn.; 
 P. microspermum Jord. ex Boreau; 4b. Polygonum aequale Lindm. ssp. oedocarpum Lindm.; 
 P. neglectum Bess.; 4c. Polygonum aviculare L. var. vegetum Ledeb.; P. heterophyllum Lindm.; P. monspeliense Pers.; 4d. Polygonum aviculare L. var. angustissimum Meisn.; P. heterophyllum Aschers. & Graebn. var. angustissimum (Meisn.) Lindm.; P. heterophyllum Aschers. & Graebn. ssp. rurivagum (Jord. ex Boreau) Lindm.; P. rurivagum Jord. ex Boreau • CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Fields, roadsides, waste areas, railroads, yards, shorelines, cracks in pavement.

1a.  Tepals basally connate 40–57% of their length; leaves usually homophyllous or nearly so

2a.  Tepals green or red-brown with white margins, basally connate 40–57% of their 
length, the outer ones with unbranched midveins or with 1 or 2 lateral veins; leaf blades 2.8–5.7 (–6.5) times as long as wide … 4a. P. aviculare ssp. depressum (Meisn.) Arcang.

2b.  Tepals green with pink to red (rarely white) margins, basally connate 28–48% of their length, the outer ones with midveins usually showing 2 or more lateral veins; leaf blades (3.4–) 4.2–9.2 times as long as wide 
 (in part) … 4b. P. aviculare ssp. neglectum (Bess.) Arcang.

1b.  Tepals basally connate (15–) 20–40 (–42)% of their length [Fig. 797]; leaves homophyllous or, more commonly, heterophyllous

3a.  Leaf blades 6–20 mm wide, 2–4.5 times as long as wide; flowers often aggregated at tips of stem and branches, in (1–) 3- to 8-flowered clusters; achenes enclosed in or barely exserted from tepals at maturity … 4c. P. aviculare ssp. aviculare

3b.  Leaf blades 0.5–6.8 (–8) mm wide, (3.4–) 4.2–15 (–19) times as long as wide; flowers usually uniformly distributed along stems and branches, in 1- to 3 (–5)-flowered clusters; achenes often exserted from tepals at maturity

4a.  Sheathing stipules 7–12 mm long, many and closely veined, the gaps between the veins mostly 1–3 times the width of the veins 
 … 4d. P. aviculare ssp. rurivagum (Jord. ex Boreau) Berher

4b.  Sheathing stipules 4–8 mm long, with relatively fewer and more distant veins, the gaps between the veins mostly 3–5 times the width of the veins 
 (in part) … 4b. P. aviculare ssp. neglectum (Bess.) Arcang.

Subspecies depressum is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Subspecies neglectum is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Subspecies aviculare is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Subspecies rurivagum is known from CT, MA, ME, RI; also reported from NH by Seymour (1982), but specimens are unknown. Subspecies aviculare is far over-reported, most collection are in fact ssp. depressum. In addition to characters used in the key, perianth length and achene length often help to differentiate these two subspecies—ssp. aviculare has tepals mostly 2.4–4.8 mm 
and achenes mostly mostly 2.4–3.7 mm and ssp. depressum has tepals mostly 2–2.7 (–2.9) mm and achenes mostly 1.8–2.8 mm.

Native to North America?

No

Sometimes confused with

Polygonum buxiforme:
outer 3 tepals cucullate, much wider and often longer the inner tepals, partially or completely concealing them, usually with a pouch-like protrustion near the base (vs. P. aviculare, with the outer 3 tepals flat or folded, of approximately equal width and length to the inner tepals and not or scarcely concealing them, without a pouch-like protrusion at the base).

Synonyms

  • Polygonum aequale Lindm.
  • Polygonum arenastrum Jord. ex Boreau
  • Polygonum aviculare var. arenastrum (Jord. ex Boreau) Ruoy
  • Polygonum aviculare var. depressum Meisn.
  • Polygonum microspermum Jord. ex Boreau

Family

Polygonaceae

Genus

Polygonum