Koenigia alaskana (synonym Aconogonon alaskanum, Persicaria alpina) is an Asian and North American species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common names Alaska wild-rhubarb and alpine knotweed.[2]

Koenigia alaskana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Koenigia
Species:
K. alaskana
Binomial name
Koenigia alaskana
(Small) T.M.Schust. & Reveal [1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Aconogonon alaskanum (Small) Soják
  • Aconogonon hultenianum var. lapathifolium (Cham. & Schltdl.) S.P.Hong
  • Polygonum alaskanum (Small) W.Wight ex Hultén
  • Polygonum alpinum subsp. alaskanum (Small) S.L.Welsh
  • Polygonum alpinum var. lapathifolium Cham. & Schltdl.
  • Polygonum polymorphum var. lapathifolium (Cham. & Schltdl.) Ledeb.

Description edit

This herbaceous or semi-evergreen[2] perennial grows up to 2 meters (almost 7 feet) tall, with a woody root and lanceolate leaves. The abundant flowers are white, cream or pale green, borne in plumes in midsummer.[3] They are followed by pinkish seed-heads later in summer or in early autumn. However, in a garden setting they are usually cut back after flowering to preserve vigour.[2]

Distribution and habitat edit

Koenigia alaskana is native to Alaska, the Yukon, and Magadan Oblast in the Russian Far East.[1]

Cultivation edit

It is cultivated in areas with enough space for its substantial mounds of foliage. Under the name Persicaria alpina it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Koenigia alaskana (Small) T.M.Schust. & Reveal". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Persicaria alpina". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  3. ^ Flora of North America, Aconogonon alaskanum (Small) Soják, 1974. Alaska wild-rhubarb