Stems erect, simple or branched distally, unarmed. Leaves: ocrea chartaceous, margins ciliate; petiole not winged, not auriculate; blade often with dark triangular or lunate blotch adaxially on leaves produced early in growing season, broadly lanceolate to ovate, base rounded to acute, margins entire. Inflorescences terminal and axillary, spikelike, interrupted. Flowers homostylous, articulation swollen; perianth narrowly campanulate to urceolate; tepals 4, connate ca. 1/2 their length; stamens 5; styles persistent on achenes, 2, exserted, reflexed distally.

Distribution

e North America, e Asia.

Discussion

Species 3 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

Li, H. L. 1952b. The genus Tovara (Polygonaceae). Rhodora 50: 19–25.

Mun, J. H. and C. W. Park. 1995. Flavonoid chemistry of Polygonum sect. Tovara (Polygonaceae): A systematic survey. Pl. Syst. Evol. 196: 153–159.

Youngbae, S., S. Kim, and C. W. Park. 1997. A phylogenetic study of Polygonum sect. Tovara (Polygonaceae) based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. J. Plant Biol. 40: 47–52.

Lower Taxa

Persicaria virginiana