Polygonum plebeium R.Br.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Along road no. 11 at dry riverbed, Gorongosa National Park

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Synonyms:	Polygonum roxburghii Meisn.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Prostrate, mat-forming herb. Stems reddish-brown, up to 1 m long, becoming somewhat woody at the base. Leaves subsessile, elliptic, oblong to linear-oblong, 5-13 mm long, leathery and hairless, dark green to reddish-brown; midrib conspicuous; margin rolled under. Ocrea silvery hyaline, c. 5 mm long, deeply frilled, hairless. Flowers c. 3.5 mm long, greenish-white with creamy-white, pinkish-white or pinkish-red lobes, in numerous 1-5-flowered, axillary clusters, surrounded by leafy bracts. Nut 1.2-2 mm long, trigonous with concave sides, smooth, black and shiny.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In alluvial soils of drying mud flats, pan margins, dry seasonal river beds and lake or river sides.
Altitude range:	20 - 1350 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in drier parts of Africa, Madagascar, tropical Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Mozambique distribution:	N,T,MS,GI,M
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Tuesday 8 May 2012
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 95. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 189. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 68. Nogueira, I., Ortiz, S. & Paiva, J.A.R. (2006). Polygonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 20 - 21. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 85.

Other sources of information about Polygonum plebeium:

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Flora of Botswana: Polygonum plebeium
Flora of Caprivi: Polygonum plebeium
Flora of Malawi: Polygonum plebeium
Flora of Zambia: Polygonum plebeium
Flora of Zimbabwe: Polygonum plebeium

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Polygonum plebeium
African Plant Database: Polygonum plebeium
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Polygonum plebeium
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Polygonum plebeium
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Polygonum plebeium
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Polygonum plebeium
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Polygonum plebeium
JSTOR Plant Science: Polygonum plebeium
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Polygonum plebeium
Plants of the World Online: Polygonum plebeium
Tropicos: Polygonum plebeium
Wikipedia: Polygonum plebeium