Polygonella fimbriata Plant Identification (Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses)

Family – Polygonaceae

Stems:

Leaves:

Ocrea of leaf.

Inflorescence:

Flowers:

Flowers close-up.

Flowering – August – October.

Habitat – Sandhills.

Origin – Native to North America.

Other information – This attractive and rare species has been reported from only one southern Alabama county. The plant is uncommon throughout its range becasue it occurs only in the sandhill habitat.
P. fimbriata can be identified by its long-ciliate ocreas, scabrous stems, and fimbriate perianth segments.
The genus name Polygonella derives from the Greek “poly” meaning “many, much” and the Greek “gon(y)” meaning “the knee” referring the many joints of the stem. The Latin “ell(a)” meaning “small (the diminutive)” is added for ?
The species epithet fimbriata derives from the Latin “fimbri(a)” meaning “a fringe, fibers” referring to the margins of perianth parts.

Alabama Distribution:

Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 10-9-05.