Polygonaceae
	Genera : 30 Species: 1000   Links to Directories of Images: Eriogonum Fagopyrum esculentum Oxyria digynea Polygonella Polygonum Rheum Rumex

Distribution: Cosmpolitan.

Economic Uses: As the source of rhubarb and buckwheat, this family also contains many 'weedy' species.

Defining Features of Interest: The family has a single basal ovule and a unilocular ovary.

Fossil Evidence: Pollen in Paleocene deposits.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect (rarely unisexual). Flowers are small and borne in various inflorescence types. Petals are lacking. Hypogynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit an achene or nut. Seeds are hard with a straight or curved embryo. Abundant endosperm. Placentation is basal.

Vegetative Features : As herbs or shrubs and rarely trees. Leaves entire and alternate, opposite or whorled with the base forming a sheath around the stem. This specialized stipule is termed an 'ocrea'.