Michx.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132096
Element CodePDPGN0L2B0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPolygonales
FamilyPolygonaceae
GenusPolygonum
Other Common NamesPleatleaf Knotweed (EN) pleatleaf knotweed (EN) Renouée ténue (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-06-11
Change Date1984-06-25
Edition Date2025-06-11
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPolygonum tenue is an annual forb occurring in exposed sites in dry acidic soils of eastern North America, from Ontario, Canada and Minnesota, Wyoming, and Maine south to Georgia and Texas in the United States. There are over 300 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, recreation, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats and trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Polygonum tenue is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPolygonum tenue occurs in eastern North America, from Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota, Wyoming, and Maine south to Georgia and Texas in the United States (FNA 2005). Range extent was estimated to be over 3.3 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Polygonum tenue is potentially threatened by development, recreation, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, succession, and other threats in some places (NatureServe 2025). However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.