Koenigia alaskana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Polygonaceae |
Genus: | Koenigia |
Species: | K. alaskana
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Binomial name | |
Koenigia alaskana | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Koenigia alaskana (synonym Aconogonon alaskanum, Persicaria alpina) is an Asian and North American species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family known by the common names Alaska wild-rhubarb and alpine knotweed.[2]
This herbaceous or semi-evergreen[2] perennial grows up to 2 meters (almost 7 feet) tall, with a woody root and lanceolate leaves. The abundant flowers are white, cream or pale green, borne in plumes in midsummer.[3] They are followed by pinkish seed-heads later in summer or in early autumn. However, in a garden setting they are usually cut back after flowering to preserve vigour.[2]
Koenigia alaskana is native to Alaska, the Yukon, and Magadan Oblast in the Russian Far East.[1]
It is cultivated in areas with enough space for its substantial mounds of foliage. Under the name Persicaria alpina it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]