This directly from Wikipedia...
The Polygonaceae are a family of flowering plants known informally as the
knotweed family or smartweed—buckwheat family in the United States. The name is
based on the genus Polygonum, and was first used by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu
in 1789 in his book, Genera Plantarum.[2] The name refers to the many swollen
nodes the stems of some species have. It is derived from Greek; poly means many
and goni means knee or joint.
The Polygonaceae comprise about 1200 species[3] distributed into about 48
genera.
Dr Harvey Perkins
CRC Programme Operations
AusIndustry – Business Services
Phone +61 2 6213 7472
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-----Original Message-----
From: Isobel Crawford
Sent: Friday, 28 April 2017 11:23 AM
To: Martin Butterfield <>
Cc: Geoffrey Dabb <>; COG List
<>
Subject: Re: FW: [canberrabirds] Polygonum is former generic name of Lignum in
family POLYGONACEAE
Dear all,
The naturally occurring dominant leggy shrub which dominates many inland swamps
is Lignum. It has had a few name changes over the years. Plantnet gives Duma
florulenta as name, plus Muehlenbeckia florulenta as synonym. Earlier names
include Muehlenbeckia florulenta and Polygonum cunninghamii.
I'm guessing but I assume the name comes from the polygonous (trigonous in
fact) shape of fruits.
Isobel.
On 28/4/17 at 9:13 AM, (Martin Butterfield) wrote:
>According to Plantnet
><http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&n
>ame=Polygonum~aviculare>
>Nicki's
>suggested species has been recorded in the general area to which you refer.
>
>However it is an introduced species so if the name of the swamp is
>long standing it probably isn't related to this species. Plantnet also
>notes " Leaves can cause dermatitis; seed can cause enteritis in stock"
>so one would hope that if found it gets whupped rather quickly.
>
>Plantnet lists in total 4 species of Polygonum of which only
>*Polygonum
>plebium* is native, and has a similar distribution back of Bourke to *P.
>aviculare. *Both species are also recorded in QLD.
>
>Martin Butterfield
>http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/
>
>On 28 April 2017 at 08:10, Geoffrey Dabb <> wrote:
>
>>Can that be the Polygonum that gives it name to Polygonum Swamp north
>>of Bourke? I have often wondered about that name but have been unable
>>to trace it. Curiously, Charles Gray on the Burke and Wills
>>expedition is said to have died at a Polygonum Swamp, which must be in
>>the Boulia area of Queensland, possibly near the haunt of the Night
>>Parrot. Perhaps Night Parrots enjoy Polygonum, too.
>>
>>
>>
>>*From:* Nicki Taws
>>*Sent:* Friday, 28 April 2017 6:57 AM
>>*To:* 'Sue Lashko'; 'canberrabirds chatline'
>>*Subject:* RE: [canberrabirds] weed ID
>>
>>
>>
>>Hi Sue
>>
>>
>>
>>It is a *Polygonum*, probably *aviculare* from the photos. Wireweed.
>>The parrots, Galahs, cockatoos love it, especially over the cooler months.
>>
>>
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>
>>
>>Nicki Taws
>>
>>0408 210736
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>*From:* Sue Lashko <>]
>>*Sent:* Thursday, April 27, 2017 5:20 PM
>>*To:* canberrabirds chatline
>>*Subject:* [canberrabirds] weed ID
>>
>>
>>
>>I wonder if anyone can identify this weed which Superb Parrots were
>>feeding on this morning. The specimem is a bit battered after being
>>in my pocket but is of spreading habit, tiny flowers 2-2.5mm width,
>>leaves 5-8mm long, 3-5mm wide.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Sue
>>
>
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