polygonaceous

[ pol-ee-guh-ney-shuhs, puh-lig-uh-ney- ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family of plants.

polygonaceous

/ pəˌlɪɡə-; ˌpɒlɪɡəˈneɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Polygonaceae, a chiefly N temperate family of plants having a sheathing stipule (ocrea) clasping the stem and small inconspicuous flowers: includes dock, sorrel, buckwheat, knotgrass, and rhubarb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polygonaceous¹

1870–75; < New Latin Polygonace ( ae ) ( Polygon ( um ) the type genus (< Greek polýgonon knotgrass, literally, something with many joints; poly-, knee, -gon ) + -aceae -aceae ) + -ous