Climbing False BuckwheatPolygonum scandens
Family - Polygonaceae
Stems - Twining, sprawling, vining, herbaceous, from fibrous roots, twisting with age, often slightly ribbed, typically becoming reddish in sun, branching, to +1m long.
Leaves - Alternate, entire.
Inflorescence - Axillary fascicles of few flowers on lateral growth. Pedicels to 1.5mm in flower, longer in fruit, glabrous, green.
Flowers - Outer 3 perianth segments keeled, glabrous, to 2mm in flower. The keel green. The margins white. Inner perianth segments white, ovate, glabrous, +1mm long and broad in flower. Perianth segments persistent in fruit and giving a winged appearance. Stamens 10, adnate at base of perianth segments. Filaments white, glabrous, .7mm long. Anthers white, bi-lobed, .2mm long. Ovary green, 3-sided, glabrous, -1mm long. Style wanting. Stigma capitate, green. Achenes black, shiny, 3-sided, to -3mm long.
Flowering - July - November.
Habitat - Moist woods, moist slopes, thickets.
Origin - Native to Europe.
Other info. - Because of its climbing nature, this plant can completely cover whatever structure it is growing on. It is considered a weed as it is introduced and spreads very quickly.
