Polygonum bidwelliae
Encyclopedia
Polygonum bidwelliae is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the knotweed family
known by the common name Bidwell's knotweed. The plant was named for American suffragist
Annie Bidwell
, based at the Bidwell Mansion
in Chico, California
, who collected the type specimen in Northern California
.
, where it is known from the northern Sacramento Valley
and adjacent slopes of the southernmost Cascade Range
. It grows in chaparral
, woodland, and grassland habitat on volcanic soils.
s which form ochrea
that sheath the stem, sometimes hiding the leaf bases. The sharp-pointed stipules are membranous and silvery white in color. Bright pink flowers occur in upper leaf axils.
Polygonaceae
Polygonaceae is a family of flowering plants known informally as the "knotweed family" or "smartweed family"— "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. The name refers...
known by the common name Bidwell's knotweed. The plant was named for American suffragist
Suffragette
"Suffragette" is a term coined by the Daily Mail newspaper as a derogatory label for members of the late 19th and early 20th century movement for women's suffrage in the United Kingdom, in particular members of the Women's Social and Political Union...
Annie Bidwell
Annie Bidwell
Annie Kennedy Bidwell , with her husband John Bidwell, was a pioneer and founder of society in the Sacramento Valley area of California in the 19th century. She is also known for her contributions to social causes, such as women's suffrage, the temperance movement, and education. Annie Bidwell...
, based at the Bidwell Mansion
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
Bidwell Mansion, located at 525 Esplanade in Chico, California, was the home of General John Bidwell and Annie Bidwell from the late 1868 until 1900, when Gen. Bidwell died. Annie continued to live there until her death in 1918...
in Chico, California
Chico, California
Chico is the most populous city in Butte County, California, United States. The population was 86,187 at the 2010 census, up from 59,954 at the time of the 2000 census...
, who collected the type specimen in Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
.
Distribution
It is endemic to CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it is known from the northern Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
and adjacent slopes of the southernmost Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
. It grows in chaparral
Chaparral
Chaparral is a shrubland or heathland plant community found primarily in the U.S. state of California and in the northern portion of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico...
, woodland, and grassland habitat on volcanic soils.
Description
Polygonum bidwelliae is an annual herb producing an erect green, wiry, angled stem reaching 20 centimeters in maximum height. The narrow, pointed leaves are oppositely arranged along the stem, mainly on the upper parts of stem branches. The leaves have relatively large stipuleStipule
In botany, stipule is a term coined by Linnaeus which refers to outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk...
s which form ochrea
Ochrea
Ochrea, commonly spelled ocrea, is a structure formed of stipules fused into a sheath surrounding the stem. It is a diagnostic character in the Polygonaceae.In palms it denotes an extension of the leaf sheath beyond the petiole insertion....
that sheath the stem, sometimes hiding the leaf bases. The sharp-pointed stipules are membranous and silvery white in color. Bright pink flowers occur in upper leaf axils.