Small shrub to 1.2 m (4 ft) in height. Twigs light to dark brown, ascending, jointed, scaly. Leaves alternate, fascicled; linear to spathulate, up to 4 cm (1.5 in) long; glabrous; acute and somewhat revolute at apex; ocreae scarious on the margins and split along one side. Inflorescence a raceme of many small white to pink flowers; styles 3, stigmas capitate; stamens 8; flowers appear from June to September. Fruit an achene, 3-angled, brown; fruits mature in October.
Distribution: Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, east to Georgia, north to South Carolina. Uncommon in eastern Okahoma.
Habitat: sandy soil.
Comment: Polygonella is from the Greek meaning "many knees"; americana refers to North America.
NWI status: none
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 10/26/98
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