Polygonum amphibium stipulaceum WATER KNOTWEED

Over the past two weeks, I have continued to process photographs from the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve, and now I am in sight of finishing the species list for this processing cycle.

The image to the right is Polygonum amphibium stipulaceum WATER KNOTWEED. This species really loves water, often starting to grow and bloom in the Milwaukee swale after 6-10 weeks of being covered by water (sometimes up to 18 inches deep). 

Polygonum means many knee joints or angles, referring to the family's stem tendency to not grow straight, but to angle off slightly at each stem joint; this species has many joints, separated by about 1-2 inches of stem length. In botany, amphibium means growing in and out of water.  Finally stipulaceum means bearing stipules [The basic angiosperm leaf is composed of a leaf base, two stipules, a petiole, and a blade. The leaf base is the slightly expanded area where the leaf attaches to the stem. The paired stipules, when present, are located on each side of the leaf base and may resemble scales, spines, glands, or leaflike structures. The petiole is a stalk that connects the blade with the leaf base.] 

I particularly like this species because it is one of the most colorful polygona.