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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

Bistorta

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

Persicaria

Podopterus

Polygonum

Pteropyrum

Pterostegia

Pteroxygonum

Reynoutria

Rheum

Rumex

Ruprechtia 

Salta

Sidotheca

Stenogonum

Symmeria

Systenotheca

Triplaris

Polygonaceae Persicaria amplexicaulis - Firetail
Persicaria amplexicaulis – Firetail
Polygonaceae Persicaria orientalis
Persicaria orientalis
Bistorta Affinis
Bistorta Affinis

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