Oval-Leaf Knotweed

Polygonum arenastrum

Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart

Taxonomy

Division:: Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:: Polygonaceae
Genus:: Polygonum
Species:: Polygonum arenastrum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:: Annual | Perennial
Growth Habit:: Forb/herb
Height:: 1-2 ft
Light Requirements:: Full Sun
Bloom Months:: jun, oct
Bloom Colors:: pink, white
Ground Cover:: Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Bronzed Cutworm (Nephelodes minians), Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata), Flounced Chestnut (Agrochola helvola), Grammia virguncula, Lucerne Moth (Nomophila nearctica), many-lined carpet moth (Anticlea multiferata), Ornate Tiger Moth (Grammia ornata), sentinel wave moth (Scopula sentinaria), underworld dart (Agrotis subterranea), Variable Carpet Moth (Orthonama centrostrigaria), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Yellow-legged Tiger Moth (Haematopis grataria), Acmon blue (Plebejus acmon), Epidemia helloides

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:: poor, sandy, well-drained soil
pH:: 5.5 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
Drainage:: excellent drainage required
Moisture:: dry to moderate
Notes:: often found in disturbed areas