Polygonum acetosum Bieb.

Herbs annual. Stems prostrate or ascending, gray-green, 10-30 cm tall, much branched from base. Petiole very short or nearly absent, articulate at base; leaf blade gray-green, oblong-linear, 1-2.5 cm × 3-5 mm, midvein abaxially slightly prominent, adaxially conspicuous, lateral veins inconspicuous on both surfaces, base narrowly cuneate, margin minutely papillate, apex acute; ocrea silvery, ovate-lanceolate, 4-5 mm, membranous, with inconspicuous veins, base connate. Flowers 3-7 in axillary fascicles. Pedicel 1-3 mm, apex articulate. Perianth gray-green, margin white, 5-parted, veined; tepals oblong, 1.5-2 mm. Stamens 7 or 8; filaments dilated at base. Styles 3; stigmas capitate. Achenes included in persistent perianth, brown, slightly shiny, broadly ovoid, trigonous, 2-2.5 mm, densely minutely punctate. Fl. May-Jun, fr. Jun-Jul.

Xinjiang [Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan].

Fields, near ditches; 500-2000 m.