Polygonum scandens Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 364. 1753.

Vines fleshy, with large, tuberous roots. Stems green or purplish, angular, glabrous. Leaves petiolate; petiole ca. 1 cm; leaf blade ovate to rotund, 3-6 × 1.5-4 cm, thinly fleshy, base decurrent, apex acuminate. Racemes many flowered, erect or pendent with ascending apex, 5-10 cm. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, 3-5 mm, apex acute, caducous. Pedicel 1.5-2 mm, persistent. Lower bracteoles ovate-triangular, apex acute, caducous; upper bracteoles greenish white, boat-shaped, broadly winged abaxially, 2-2.5 mm at anthesis including wings, accrescent, to 3-3.5 mm, wing base semicordate, enclosing perianth and fruit. Perianth greenish white, ca. 2.5 mm, thin, hyaline, little opening in anthesis, not accrescent. Styles 3, white, connate at base. Utricle ovoid to globose. Seed not seen. Fl. and fr. Nov.

The tuberous roots are used as a poultice applied to boils.

Citation updated after publication of Flora volume.

Cultivated. Fujian, Guangdong [native to America].