Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Polygonum capitatum
Family Polygonaceae
Other Names Common: knotweed
Status Alien
Distribution & Habitat This species is native to the Himalayas and China.  In Hawai'i, it has become naturalized in the wet forests, open lava fields, and along roadsides.  It ranges in elevation from 600 to 1,700 m, on the Island of Hawai'i (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063).
Locations in this Guide Devil's Throat, Puimau Hot Spot, Mid-Elevation Woodland, Thurston Lava Tube
General Appearance
This is a mat-forming, prostate herb (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063). Mid-Elevation Woodland (roadside)

Kipuka Puaulu

 Puhimau Hot Spot

Thurston Lava Tube
Leaves
The leaves have a conspicuous V-shaped band that is purple.  It may also be tinged with red or purple (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063). Thurston Lava Tube
Flowers & Fruits
The pink flowers are on spikes with one to several at the end of branches (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063). Thurston Lava Tube

Thurston Lava Tube

Puhimau Hot Spot

Puhimau Hot Spot

Nuts are dark reddish brown about 2 mm long (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063).
Phenology
Thurston Lava Tube No flowers. 2/13/01
     
     
Natural History This species was first collected in Hawai`i in 1960 (Wagner, et al. 1990: 1063).
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes
References
Links to Other Sites
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Last Updated: 08/05/03

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