Polygonaceae

Antigonon Endl. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 14 December 2020
  1. Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn., Bot. Beechey Voy. (1841) 308; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 188; Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 294; ≡ Corculum leptopus (Hook. & Arn.) Stuntz, Bull. Bur. Pl. Industr. U.S.D.A. 282 (1913) 86; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 125. Distribution: C America. LUZON, MINDANAO: Agusan, NEGROS (photos). Notes: Cultivated for ornamental purposes. Naturalized.

Coccoloba P.Browne (Not native)

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L., Syst. Nat., 10th Ed. 2 (1759) 1007; ≡ Polygonum uviferum L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 365. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Fallopia Adans. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 14 December 2020
  1. Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Á.Löve, Taxon 19 (1970) 300; ≡ Polygonum convolvulus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 364; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122. Distribution: Afghanistan, Africa, China, Eurasia, India, Korea, Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Widespread weed in temperate countries. 1400m. Weed in gardens. Naturalized.

Muehlenbeckia Meisn. (Not native)

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Muehlenbeckia platyclada (F.Muell.) Meisn., Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 22 (1865) 313, as 'platyclados.'; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 188; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 125; ≡ Homalocladium platycladum (F.Muell.) L.H.Bailey, Gentes Herbarum 2 (1929) 58; ≡ Polygonum platycladum F.Muell., Trans. & Proc. Philos. Inst. Victoria 2 (1858) 73. Distribution: New Guinea, Solomon Isls. Notes: P.B. Pelser (14-Dec-20): I have thus far only seen specimens from plants grown in cultivation, so I here assume that it is not naturalized. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Persicaria Mill.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 8 August 2026
  1. Persicaria attenuata (R.Br.) Soják, Preslia 46 (1974) 152; Wilson, Kew Bull. 45 (1991) 624; ≡ Polygonum attenuatum R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 420. Distribution: LUZON: Laguna, NCR, MINDANAO: Maguindanao del Sur, Zamboanga, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY. Native.
    • ssp. attenuata. Distribution: Australia, Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Moluccas, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON: Laguna, NCR, MINDANAO: Maguindanao del Sur, Zamboanga, PANAY. Native.
    • ssp. pulchra (Blume) K.L.Wilson, Kew Bull. 45 (1991) 629; Kantachot et al., Thai For. Bull. (Bot.) 38 (2010) 147; ≡ Persicaria pulchra (Blume) Soják, Preslia 46 (1974) 154; ≡ Polygonum pulchrum Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 530; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 309; Type: from Java. ≠ Polygonum tomentosum auct. non Schrank; Willd., Sp. Pl. 2 (1799) 447; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 187; EPFP 2 (1923) 124; Pancho, Kalikasan 1 (1972) 104. Distribution: Africa, Andaman Isls, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. PALAWAN. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. In wet inundated sites such as ponds, irrigation ditches, shallow water swamps, lake margins, etc. at low elevation. Sometimes gregarious. Native.
  2. Persicaria barbata (L.) H.Hara, Fl. E. Himalaya (1966) 70; ≡ Polygonum barbatum L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 362; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 298. Distribution: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Aurora, Bataan, Cavite, Ifugao, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Ecija (photos), Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Davao, Maguindanao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, MINDORO, NEGROS. Notes: 37m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • var. barbata. Distribution: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON, MINDANAO. Notes: Luzon to Mindanao. Open, inundated sites from sea-level to 1400m. Native.
  3. Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49 (1913) 277; ≡ Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. (1825) 73. Distribution: China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Ifugao (photos), Nueva Vizcaya (photo). Notes: Potentially first reported as naturalized in the Philippines (Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya) by Wally Suarez (pers. comm. 20-Jul-23). Escaped cultivation and found growing in and around human settlements, on rocks, embankments, and retaining walls. Naturalized.
  4. Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49 (1913) 269; Enriquez et al., Fl. Plants Mt. Apo Natural Park (2024) 117; ≡ Polygonum chinense L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 363; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 298. Distribution: Bangladesh, China, India, Java, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicobar Isls, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. BATAN, CAMIGUIN, LEYTE, LUZON: Abra, Albay, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte (photos), Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro (photos), Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato (photos), MINDORO, NEGROS, PANAY. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. In thickets and forest margins. 300-3000m. Native.
  5. Persicaria decipiens (R.Br.) K.L.Wilson, Telopea 3 (1988) 178; ≡ Polygonum decipiens R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 420; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; ≡ Polygonum minus Huds. ssp. decipiens (R.Br.) Danser, Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, 3rd Sér. 8 (1927) 178. Distribution: Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Europe, India, Middle East, Myanmar, New Guinea, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: In open wet sites, 1200-1500m. Native.
  6. Persicaria dichotoma (Blume) Masam., Sci. Rep. Kanazawa Univ., Biol. 2 (1954) 82; ≡ Polygonum dichotomum Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 529. = Polygonum pedunculare Wall. ex Meisn., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 14 (1856) 133; Wall., Cat. (1829) No. 1718, nom. inval., nom. nud.; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123. Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Laguna, MINDANAO, MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: Open wet lands, swamps, etc. at low and medium elevation. In Benguet ascending to 1400m. Native.
  7. Persicaria filiformis (Thunb.) Nakai, Fl. Quelpaert Isl. (1914) 41; ≡ Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Roberty & Vautier, Boissiera 10 (1964) 35; ≡ Polygonum filiforme Thunb., Syst. Veg., 14th Ed. (1784) 377. = Sunania filiformis var. apoensis (Elmer) Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 37 (1962) 9; ≡ Tovara filiformis var. apoensis (Elmer) Hara, J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo, Sect. 3, Bot. 6 (1952) 39; ≡ Tovara apoensis (Elmer) H.L.Li, Rhodora 54 (1952) 25; ≡ Tovara virginiana var. apoensis (Elmer) Steward, Contr. Gray Herb. 88 (1930) 15; ≡ Polygonum apoense Elmer, LPB 8 (1915) 2796; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 121; Mun & Park, Pl. Syst. Evol. 196 (1995) 154; Type: Alvarez PFB 25230 (BS, US, syn); Clemens 2114 (UC, syn); Clemens 15649 (UC, syn); Elmer 10754 (BS, GH, K, MBG, US, syn), Mindanao: Davao, Mt Apo. Distribution: China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Taiwan, Vietnam. MINDANAO: Davao, Davao del Sur, Lanao. Notes: Open glens in dense forests, 1000-2000m. Native.
  8. Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M.Gómez, Anales Inst. Segunda Enseñ. 2 (1896) 278; Wilson, Kew Bull. 45 (1991) 632; ≡ Polygonum glabrum Willd., Sp. Pl., 4th Ed. 2 (1799) 447; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 301. Distribution: Africa, America, Bangladesh, China, India, Java, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, SAMAR. Notes: Near rice paddies and other open inundated sites, 1200-1800m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  9. Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, Fl. Auvergne (Delarbre), 2nd Ed. (1800) 518; ≡ Polygonum hydropiper L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 361; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 302. Distribution: Afghanistan, Africa, Andaman Isls, Bangladesh, China, Continental Asia, Europe, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Malay Peninsula, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Isls, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya. Notes: Open inundated sites such as old rice paddies, along streams, etc. 1200-2000m. Native.
  10. Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Delarbre, Fl. Auvergne (Delarbre), 2nd Ed. (1800) 519; Kantachot et al., Thai For. Bull. 38 (2010) 139; ≡ Polygonum lapathifolium L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 360; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 304. Distribution: Afghanistan, Africa, Bangladesh, China, Continental Asia, Europe, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, MINDORO. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • ssp. lanata (Roxb.) Soják, Preslia 46 (1974) 154; Kantachot et al., Thai For. Bull. 38 (2010) 140; ≡ Polygonum lanatum Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 2 (1832) 285; Type: from India. = Persicaria lanigera (R.Br.) Soják, Preslia 46 (1974) 153; ≡ Polygonum lanigerum R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 419; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123; Type: from Australia. Distribution: Australia, Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Java, Malay Peninsula, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand. LUZON: Cagayan, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte. Notes: Open wet sites, near streams, etc. at low to medium elevation. Native.
    • var. lapathifolia. Distribution: Africa, Bangladesh, China, Europe, India, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Cagayan. Native.
  11. Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz, Seznam (1852) 72; Kantachot et al., Thai For. Bull. 38 (2010) 140; ≡ Polygonum minus Huds., Fl. Angl. (Hudson) (1762) 148; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123. Distribution: Bangladesh, China, Continental Asia, Europe, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Solomon Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province. Native.
  12. Persicaria muricata (Meisn.) Nemoto, Fl. Japan. (Makino & Nemoto), Suppl. (1936) 173; ≡ Polygonum muricatum Meisn., Monogr. Polyg. (1826) 74; Park, Brittonia 38 (1986) 401; Type: from Nepal. = Polygonum strigosum var. benguetense (Merr.) Steward, Contr. Gray Herb. 88 (1930) 90; ≡ Polygonum benguetense Merr., PJS 10c (1915) 301; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 122; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Type: Merrill 9682 (NY, lecto), Luzon: Benguet, Baguio, May-1914. Distribution: China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Open wet sites, 1200-1500m. Native.
  13. Persicaria nepalensis (Meisn.) H.Gross, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49 (1913) 277; ≡ Polygonum nepalense Meisn., Monogr. Polyg. (1826) 84; Wall., Cat. No. 1701; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 306; Type: from Nepal. = Polygonum punctatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. (1825) 72, nom. illeg., non Elliott; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 124. Distribution: Afghanistan, Africa, Bhutan, C Asia, China, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, MINDANAO: Cotabato (photos). Native.
  14. Persicaria orientalis (L.) Spach, Hist. Nat. Vég. (Spach) 10 (1841) 537; ≡ Polygonum orientale L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 343; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 306. Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: NCR, Pampanga, Rizal, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur. Notes: Open wet sites at low and medium elevation. Native.
  15. Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H.Gross, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49 (1913) 275; ≡ Polygonum perfoliatum L., Syst. Nat., 10th Ed. 2 (1759) 1005; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 307; Type: from India. Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Malay Peninsula, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Davao del Sur. Notes: In the Cordillera Highlands of Luzon. Sprawling over thickets in ravines, 1300-1600m. Native.
  16. Persicaria posumbu (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross, Beih. Bot. Centralbl., 2nd Abt. 37 (1919) 113; ≡ Polygonum posumbu Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. (1825) 71; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 124; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 308. Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Ryukyu Isls, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province, MINDANAO: Davao, MINDORO. Native.
    • ssp. mearnsii (Elmer) Soják, Preslia 46 (1974) 154; ≡ Polygonum mearnsii Elmer, LPB 1 (1908) 289; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 123. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province, MINDANAO: Davao. Native.
  17. Persicaria praetermissa (Hook.f.) H.Hara, Fl. E. Himalaya (1966) 73; ≡ Polygonum praetermissum Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5 (1886) 47; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 124; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 309. Distribution: Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: Open swamps, along small streams, etc., 1400-2000m. Native.
  18. Persicaria pubescens (Blume) H.Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 17 (1941) 335; ≡ Polygonum pubescens Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 532. = Polygonum roettleri Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. (1821) 205; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 124. Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Cagayan. Notes: Swampy sites at low elevation. Native.
  19. Persicaria runcinata (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) H.Gross, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 49 (1913) 277; ≡ Polygonum runcinatum Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. (1825) 73; R.J.Johns, Fl. Pl. Papuasia 3 (1989) 51; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 310; Type: from Nepal. Distribution: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand. Native.

Possibly present

  1. Persicaria maculosa Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2 (1822) 269. = Polygonum persicaria L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 361. Distribution: Europe. Notes: Widely naturalized elsewhere. Note by P.B. Pelser (30-Feb-21): Reported for the Philippines by Holm et al. (1991), but no specimens cited. Invasive species (CABI).

Polygonum L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 28 June 2021
  1. Polygonum plebeium R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 420; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 124; Kuo et al. in Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 308. Distribution: Africa, Andaman Isls, Australia, Bangladesh, C Asia, China, India, Indian Ocean, Java, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Cagayan, Isabela. Notes: Open sites along streams at low elevation, ascending to 1400m in Benguet. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Rumex L. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 28 Jun 2021
  1. Rumex acetosella L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 538; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 121; Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 314. Distribution: Eurasia. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: Common weed in temperate vegetable farms, 1600-2400m. Invasive species (CABI 2017). Naturalized.
  2. Rumex crispus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 335; Merrill, EPFP 2 (1923) 121; Liu, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 2 (1996) 314. Distribution: Eurasia. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: Common weed in temperate vegetable farms, 1400-2400m; native of Eurasia, now widely distributed in the temperate parts of the N hemisphere. Naturalized.

Excluded

  1. Rumex obtusifolius L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 335; Antonio et al., J. Wetlands Biodiversity 10 (2020) 29. Reported for the Philippines by Antonio et al. (2020) from Benguet State University campus, but no specimens cited and likely misidentified according to one of the authors (Jones Napaldet, pers. comm. 7-Dec-20).

Triplaris Loefl. ex L. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 23 May 2015
  1. Triplaris cumingiana Fisch. & C.A.Mey., Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg, 6th Sér. 6 (1840) 148. Distribution: Neotropics. LUZON: Rizal (photos), NEGROS (photos). Notes: Planted for lumber. Naturalized.

References