Polygonum sawatchense facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polygonum sawatchense |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Polygonum
|
| Species: |
sawatchense
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Polygonum sawatchense, often called the Sawatch knotweed, is a type of plant found in North America. It belongs to the buckwheat family, which includes many common plants. This plant grows across a large area in the western United States and western Canada. You can find it from the Pacific Coast to the western Great Plains. This includes places like British Columbia, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Saskatchewan, and the Dakotas.
Contents
Discovering the Sawatch Knotweed
What the Sawatch Knotweed Looks Like
The Sawatch knotweed is a plant that branches out. It is an herb, which means it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree. This plant can grow up to 50 cm (20 in) tall. Its leaves are long and narrow, reaching about 45 mm (1.8 in) in length. The plant is usually smooth, meaning it does not have hairs.
The flowers of the Sawatch knotweed are small. They can be green, red, or white. These tiny flowers grow in long, thin groups called arrays. This arrangement helps them stand out and attract pollinators.
Where the Sawatch Knotweed Gets Its Name
The name Polygonum sawatchense comes from a special place. It is named after the Sawatch Range. This is a mountain range located in Colorado. A famous plant collector named Townshend Stith Brandegee found the first official sample of this plant there. He collected it in the Sawatch Range, which is why the plant carries its name.
Different Types of Sawatch Knotweed
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Sawatch knotweed:
- Polygonum sawatchense subsp. oblivium – This type is found in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada.
- Polygonum sawatchense subsp. sawatchense – This type grows from Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. It extends south into the United States, reaching Arizona and New Mexico.
