common knotgrass

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• doorweed
• knotgrass
• prostrate knotweed
• yard knotweed
• Knotgrass agg.
• English knotgrass
• knotweed
• wireweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Centinodium aviculare
• Polygonum aviculare f. rigidum
• Polygonum aviculare var. longifolium
• Polygonum aviculare var. vulgare
• Polygonum aviculare subvar. humifusum
• Centinodia humifusa
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. heterophyllum
• Centinodia avicularis
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. monspeliense
• Centinodium axillare
• Polygonum aviculare var. angustifolium
• Polygonum aviculare var. heterophyllum
• Polygonum aviculare var. brevifolium
• Avicularia vulgaris
• Polygonum baltistanicum
• Polygonum aviculare var. rotundifolium
• Polygonum aviculare var. diffusum
• Polygonum aviculare var. marinum
• Polygonum ganderbalense
• Polygonum aviculare var. vegetum
• Polygonum franktonii
• Polygonum floridum
• Polygonum aviculare var. laxum
• Polygonum dregeanum
• Polygonum chymophyllum
• Polygonum denudatum
• Polygonum aviculare var. microphyllum
• Polygonum leptocladum
• Polygonum glaucochloros
• Polygonum ligerinum
• Polygonum phyllophorum
• Polygonum telonense
• Polygonum oenophyton
• Polygonum aviculare var. denudatum
• Polygonum rhodanense
• Polygonum polycnemiforme
• Polygonum deloynesii
• Polygonum nanum
• Polygonum aviculare var. polycnemiforme
• Polygonum meyenii
• Polygonum pleianthum
• Polygonum caballeroi
• Polygonum erythranthum
• Polygonum centinodium
• Polygonum myriocladum
• Polygonum rubescens
• Polygonum acmophyllum
• Polygonum uruguense
• Polygonum pictaviense
• Polygonum stricticaule
• Polygonum orogenes
• Polygonum aviculare var. saxatile
• Polygonum aviculare var. exiguum
• Polygonum aviculare var. condensatum
• Polygonum acutifolium
• Polygonum aviculare var. minimum
• Polygonum hygrogenes
• Polygonum aviculare var. parvulum
• Polygonum heterophyllum f. rubescens
• Polygonum aviculare var. triviale
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. aviculare
• Polygonum heterophyllum var. rubescens
• Polygonum heterophyllum var. eximium
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. erectum
• Polygonum heterophyllum var. caespitosum
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. humifusum
• Polygonum aviculare var. scabrellum
• Polygonum aviculare var. procumbens
• Polygonum aviculare var. latifolium
• Polygonum aviculare var. humifusum
• Polygonum aviculare var. nanum
• Polygonum aviculare proles monspeliense
• Polygonum aviculare var. monspeliense
• Polygonum aviculare var. gracilis
• Polygonum aviculare subsp. nanum
• Polygonum aviculare var. campestre
• Polygonum aviculare floridum
• Polygonum aviculare sarmentosum
• Polygonum aviculare triviale
• Polygonum centrale
• Polygonum chamaechyton
• Polygonum neolittorale
• Polygonum dissitiflorum var. minutum
• Polygonum dissitiflorum var. rufo-ochreactum
• Polygonum dissitiflorum var. tortuosum
• Polygonum dissitiflorum var. virgatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Specifically, it is a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. It is further categorized under the family Polygonaceae within the genus Polygonum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Polygonum aviculare, exhibits a notable presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It is commonly found throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its distribution extends further north to include the territories of Finland and Iceland. Additionally, this medicinal species can be observed growing within the archipelago of the Faroe Islands. Finally, the plant is well-established across the various landscapes of Great Britain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Polygonum aviculare is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse vertical gradients and human-altered environments. This species exhibits an expansive elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude reaches of up to 4200 m AMSL, with an average elevation of approximately 2352.5 m AMSL. Its primary habitat is classified as "Área Antrópica" (Anthropic Area), indicating a strong affinity for disturbed sites, anthropogenic landscapes, and environments significantly modified by human activity, such as paths, roadsides, or cultivated fields.

Elevational range max:

4200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2352.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Polygonum aviculare is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions become suitable for rapid growth. Throughout its active period, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as the environmental conditions shift or the life cycle concludes. This strategy of quick maturation and seed-based survival allows it to thrive in disturbed or transient habitats where seasonal stability is not guaranteed.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Polygonum aviculare is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. This terrestrial plant exhibits a highly variable height, ranging from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.7185 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting species rather than a liana or vine, and it displays an ascending shoot orientation. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic characteristics, maintaining a stable growth habit in its natural environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.7185 m

Plant height min:

0.02 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Polygonum aviculare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its reliance on the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it must acquire necessary nutrients through soil absorption rather than symbiotic bacterial associations or insectivory. Its foliar morphology is defined by an elliptic leaf form with a mean leaf size of 3.615 cm². The leaf dimensions exhibit significant variability, with a mean length of 2.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5 cm) and a mean width of 0.9 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 2 cm). Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 288.78 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its metabolic strategy regarding resource allocation and light interception.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

3.615 cm²

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.9 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

288.78 cm²/g

Reproduction

Reproduction in Polygonum aviculare is driven by sexual processes, as the plant is bisexual and lacks asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through October. The flowers are characterized by their pink color and a length ranging from 0.25 cm to 0.3 cm. Pollination is primarily a biotic process, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, which is known to be present within the species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, indehiscent fruits known as achenes. These black fruits are relatively small, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm (mean length of 0.2875 cm). Each fruit is highly productive, containing between 101 and 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves are consistent in dimensions, with a length of 2.5 mm and a volume of approximately 0.78 mm³. Seed mass is quite low, with a mean of 0.001474148 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.000765 g to a maximum of 0.00193 g. Dispersal is managed through an unspecialized syndrome, specifically utilizing epizoochory to spread the seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.2875 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00193 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001474148 g

Seed mass min:

0.000765 g

Seed volume max:

0.78 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Polygonum aviculare has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,6,7,4'-Tetramethoxyflavanone, Acteoside, Anthraquinones, Avicularin, CALCIUM OXALATE.

5,6,7,4'-Tetramethoxyflavanone

1. Natural product letters

Acteoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Anthraquinones

1. Journal of AOAC International

Avicularin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Dr. Duke

Delphinidin

1. Dr. Duke

Ethyl caffeate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Gallic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Hyperin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Polygonum aviculare has 271 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Polygonum aviculare has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, diarrhea, gastroduodenal ulcer, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids.

Arthritis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Diarrhea

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Gastroduodenal ulcer

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Hemorrhage

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Hemorrhoids

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Hypertension

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Liver fibrosis

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Nephrolithiasis

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Obesity

1. Scientific reports

Rheumatic disease

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Polygonum aviculare has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone extracts, hexane extract, methanol extract, n-BuOH extract, water extracts.

Acetone extracts

1. Natural product letters

Hexane extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

N-buoh extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology