User:BrookeCTurner/Polygonum cascadense

Lead Section:
Polygonum cascadense is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common name Cascade Knotweed. This green vascular land plant is considered to be an herb, similar to the other plants of the Polygonum genus. It is commonly found annually, but only in the state of Oregon, in the Cascades and in the Blue Mountains.

Description:
Polygonum cascadense is an herb with a green or red zig zag going up its stem that is simple and branched from the base. The stems look wiry, slightly scruffy, and glabrous, standing at around 5 to 15cm, or 5.9 inches, tall. The stem also has a red or greenish tint to it, containing flowers that are small and white with green leaves. The leaves are uniform with one vein and not pleating on the blades of the leaves that are between oblanceolate and obovate shape. The leaves are 5 to 20 mm long and 2 to 5 mm wide. The Margins of the plant revolute and usually never along the midrib, and these can be sparsely papillose-denticulate. The apex can mainly be seen to be rounded or apiculate. Another feature of the Polygonum cascadense is that it also produces small groups of white flowers with 8 red anthers. When the flower is open and bloomed fully, the Perianth, the outer portion, can range from lengths of 2 to 2.5 mm. The tube can be anywhere from 12 to 25 % of the length of the perianth. the tepals tend to overlap and are usually uniformly white & petaloid. These can tend to be either oblong or obovate. Their sepals are cucullated or hooded, and the apex is rounded without any branching veins. It does not have any fruiting bodies, as it is an herb and not a fungus. this herb typically begins to bloom during the summer season in the months such as June, July, August, and September. They are also described as achene, which pertains to one seeded fruits in which do not release the seed or open to do so.

Dicot

Taxonomy:
Polygonum cascadense was discovered in September 17, on the south slope of Fairview, calapooya range by William H. baker. He published the new species in April 1949. The species was once a candidate for being an endangered species. However according to the Federal Register, Vol 50, no. 188, it was no longer considered a candidate because the species was not as threatened as it was once perceived to be. More Polygonum sightings occurred throughout the span of time, leading to its eventual delisting as an endangered species.

Distribution and Habitat:
The Polygonum cascadese blooms in the state of Oregon, specifically in the cascades and in the blue mountains. The elevation of the species is ranges between 1600 and 1800 m. They bloom annually during the summer and fall months of June, July, August, and September. While in Oregon, they grow in dry, rocky areas. These rocky areas are generally on Serpentine rocks. These plants tend to reproduce more in open, more harsh environments as opposed to the other ecosystems. This was found out to be more as a result of the environment as opposed to the overall genetics of the plant itself. This was studied, as the seed production of this plant in harsher environments yielded the greatest results, as well as a yield of lower mortality rate amongst the seedlings.

Uses (or culture):
While plants in the genus Polygonum are sometimes used for cooking and eating, no practical or economical use for the Polygonum cascadense has been discovered as of yet.

References:
https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=POCA9

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2258745

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41422649

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250060732

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=20886#null

https://www.tropicos.org/name/26000845

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POCA9