Polygonum scandens of Michigan Flora.

Disturbed ground (roadsides, dumps, railroads, etc.) and also shores, forests, thickets, and wetlands.

Our plants are probably all or mostly native, but are variable in size of fruit and shape of wing on the outer tepals. Because of the extension of the tepal wings down the pedicel, the joint (which is always below the wings) generally appears to be on the lower half of the pedicel in this species; in F. convolvulus and F. cilinodis it is on the upper half, near the perianth. No specimens appear to be unambiguously F. dumetorum (L.) Holub, a native of Europe with fruiting perianth orbicular in outline and the wings not extending down the pedicels.

Fallopia baldschuanica (Regel) Holub (Polygonum aubertii of Michigan Flora), a native of Asia, would key here, but differs from F. scandens in its woody habit and long, many-flowered inflorescences; it has been recently collected by R. W. Smith in Adrian, Lenawee Co., but perhaps only persisting from a planting. It should be watched to see if it spreads.