Aconogonon davisiae
Davis knotweed
(c) Mount Rainier National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Aconogonon davisiae (Davis knotweed) is a native California subshrub in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by glaucous leaves, smaller stature, and yellow-green coloration.
Davis knotweed is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, northern California Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in talus and rocky sites of snow accumulation at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces green-yellow to pink-white flowers in small axillary raceme-like clusters. Growing with ascending to erect stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall that branch from the base, it has a distinctive glabrous to scabrous texture. Its lanceolate to broadly ovate leaves are generally glaucous and yellow-green, with truncate to cordate bases and oblique ocrea margins 0.5 to 3 centimeters long. The fruit is a shiny yellow-brown ovate-oblong structure 3.5 to 6 millimeters long, exserted from the flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by glaucous leaves, smaller stature, and yellow-green coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Talus, rocky sites of snow accumulation
Elevation: 1500-2800 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Amador, Humboldt, Placer, Trinity, Alpine, Lassen, Butte, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Mendocino, Tehama, Lake, Del Norte, Madera, El Dorado
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Aconogonon davisiae blooms Jun-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Oxyria: Aconogonon has branching flower clusters; Oxyria has kidney-shaped leaves and flowers in simple spikes.; vs Bistorta: Aconogonon has loose, branching clusters; Bistorta forms dense, bottle-brush-like spikes.; vs Persicaria: Aconogonon has open, branching flower clusters; Persicaria forms tight spikes or heads.; vs Polygonum: Aconogonon is tall and upright in mountains; Polygonum is low-growing in disturbed lowlands.; vs Fallopia: Aconogonon grows upright; Fallopia climbs with heart-shaped leaves and winged fruits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aconogonon davisiae native to California?
Yes. Aconogonon davisiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Aconogonon davisiae bloom?
Aconogonon davisiae blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Aconogonon davisiae grow?
Aconogonon davisiae occurs in Siskiyou, Amador, Humboldt, Placer, Trinity, Alpine, Lassen, Butte and other counties, at elevations of 1500-2800 m.
What plant family does Aconogonon davisiae belong to?
Aconogonon davisiae is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Aconogonon.
What habitat does Aconogonon davisiae grow in?
Aconogonon davisiae grows in Talus, rocky sites of snow accumulation.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.