Polygonum punctatum Elliott
Dotted smartweed

Family:  Polygonaceae

Habit:  Sprawling perennial 3 to 10 dm. high, branched and subglabrous.

Distribution:  Common in moist low places, California to Washington.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  2- to 3-angled, black or reddish shiny, often in perianth (2.0 to 3.5 mm. long).

Embryo:  Peripheral curved embryo with developed cotyledon and hard, starchy endosperm.

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#29 - Intact achene, with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present. Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat. Piece of broken seed larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes: Achenes are often empty.

Average pure seed units per gram:  430 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 2001 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  38 to 96% 

Range of percent inert:  3 to 61% 

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed, dirt. 

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-30°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 891
Ransom Seed Laboratory