Prostrate Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hainan, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen
GT1976
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Polygonum
- Species:
- Polygonum aviculare
- USDA Symbol:
- POAV
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, green
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
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
Moths:White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in spring after cold stratification or overwinter outdoor sowing.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI