Prostrate Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Polygonum
- Species:
- Polygonum aviculare
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 1-2 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, 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
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas and roadsides