The Polygonaceae family is widespread and can be found in various regions around the world. It is a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the Buckwheat family.
It is particularly diverse in temperate and subtropical regions of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They are well-adapted to a range of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and alpine regions.
Polygonaceae is a large family with around 50 genera and approximately 1200 known species. Some of the well-known genera include Polygonum, Rheum, Rumex, Fallopia, and Oxyria. These genera encompass a wide variety of herbaceous and woody plants, including annuals, perennials, shrubs, and climbers.
This family exhibits a range of characteristics, but they share some common traits:
Leaves are typically simple and alternate, though they can occasionally be opposite or whorled. The leaf shape varies among species, ranging from lance-shaped to heart-shaped or arrow-shaped. Some species have distinctive leaf venation patterns.
The flowers are often small and inconspicuous, grouped together in inflorescences. The inflorescences can take various forms, including spikes, racemes, or panicles. The flowers are typically bisexual and regular, consisting of five or six tepals (undifferentiated sepals and petals). The flowers may have prominent stamens and a single pistil.
These plants produce fruit that is characteristic of the family. Most commonly, the fruit is a three-sided or winged achene, a dry, single-seeded structure. In some species, the fruit may be enclosed within persistent tepals or bracts.
Growth Habits encompass a wide range of growth habits. Some species are low-growing herbs or subshrubs, while others are tall shrubs or even climbing vines. The family also includes perennial plants, annuals, and biennials.
Several members have important uses and are cultivated for various purposes. For example:
- Buckwheat (genus Fagopyrum) is cultivated for its nutritious seeds, which can be ground into flour or used as animal feed.
- Rhubarb (genus Rheum) is grown for its edible petioles (stalks), which are used in culinary preparations.
- Some species of Polygonum have traditional medicinal uses in different parts of the world.
Polygonaceae family have useful qualities, others can be invasive and problematic in certain ecosystems. Care should be taken when introducing or growing certain species to prevent potential negative impacts on native flora.
Overall, the Polygonaceae family is diverse and encompasses a wide range of plants with various characteristics and uses. From low-growing herbs to tall shrubs, the family offers a variety of options for horticulture, traditional medicine, and ecological purposes.
The list of genera for Polygonaceae family includes:
Acanthoscyphus
Afrobrunnichia
Antigonon
Aristocapsa
Atraphaxis
Bactria
Brunnichia
Caelestium
Calligonum
Centrostegia
Chorizanthe
Coccoloba
Dedeckera
Dodecahema
Duma
Enneatypus
Eriogonum
Eskemukerjea
Fagopyrum
Fallopia
Gilmania
Goodmania
Gymnopodium
Harfordia
Harpagocarpus
Hollisteria
Johanneshowellia
Knorringia
Koenigia
Lastarriaea
Leptogonum
Magoniella
Mucronea
Muehlenbeckia
Nemacaulis
Neomillspaughia
Oxygonum
Oxyria
Oxytheca
Podopterus
Pteropyrum
Pterostegia
Pteroxygonum
Reynoutria
Rheum
Rumex
Ruprechtia
Salta
Sidotheca
Stenogonum
Symmeria
Systenotheca
Triplaris
