Largeleaf Jointweed / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Largeleaf Jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla)

The individual flowers of P. macrophylla are small and pink to dark red, and borne on racemes. Photo Credit: © 1991 Steve Shirah
  • Global Rank: G3 - Vulnerable
  • Legal Status: N/A
  • Family: Polygonaceae
  • State: AL, FL
  • Nature Serve ID: 137605
  • Lifeform: Subshrub
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

Polygonella macrophylla, or large-leaved jointweed, is a small slender shrub found in the deep white sands of the Florida Panhandle, on sand pine-oak scrub ridges. The development of this coastal habitat is a major contributor to the decline of the species. Large-leaved jointweed has alternate, simple, obovate leaves that are 2-6 cm long and somewhat fleshy or rubbery to the touch. Its flowers are small and pinkish to bright red, and because they are borne on racemes their added effect makes them very showy during the fall (October to November) blooming season. (Nelson 1996)

Where is Largeleaf Jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Found in the scrub communities of Florida's xeric uplands. (Coile 2000) This species favors open areas of sand in the sand pine/oak scrub of ridges and the low sand dunes near the coast. (NatureServe 2001)

Distribution:

Populations of Polygonella macrophylla can be found in many places along the coast of the western Florida Panhandle and Alabama. (NatureServe 2001)

States & Provinces:

Largeleaf Jointweed can be found in Alabama, Florida

Which CPC Partners conserve Largeleaf Jointweed (Polygonella macrophylla)?

  • Bok Tower Gardens

    Sponsored
    Sponsors Add

    Silver Sponsor

    The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, Inc.

    Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

    Conservation Actions
    Assigned 06/09/17
    • CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

    Conservation Actions

    Tina Stanley
    • 05/11/2023
      • Orthodox Seed Banking

    According to a March 2023 extract of the Florida Plant Rescue Database, Bok Tower Gardens holds 4 accessions of Polygonella macrophylla totalling approximately 47540 seeds.

    Nature Serve Biotics
    • 05/02/2017

    A narrow Florida endemic that can be frequent in the scrub within its range. Its habitat is diminishing due to development pressure. The Florida Natural Areas Inventory's database contains 150 occurrence records from the coast of the western Florida panhandle.

    Nick Baker
    • 01/01/2010

    Threats include habitat loss from coastal development and clearing for tree plantations. (Kral 1983 & Ward 1979)

    Nick Baker
    • 01/01/2010

    There are 150 occurrence records from the coast of the western Florida panhandle. (NatureServe 2001)

    Nick Baker
    • 01/01/2010

    No research specific to this species known to be in progress

    Nick Baker
    • 01/01/2010

    None known.

    Nick Baker
    • 01/01/2010

    Develop and implement appropriate management strategy

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    Nomenclature
    Taxon Polygonella macrophylla
    Authority Small
    Family Polygonaceae
    CPC Number 3576
    ITIS 21312
    USDA POMA14
    Duration Perennial
    Common Names large-leaved jointweed | largeleaf jointweed
    Associated Scientific Names Polygonella macrophylla
    Distribution Populations of Polygonella macrophylla can be found in many places along the coast of the western Florida Panhandle and Alabama. (NatureServe 2001)
    State Rank
    State State Rank
    Alabama S1
    Florida S3
    Ecological Relationships

    Photos

    The individual flowers of P. macrophylla are small and pink to dark red, and borne on racemes. Photo Credit: © 1991 Steve Shirah

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