[1] Species of Oxygonum are annual or perennial herbaceous plants, more rarely shrubs or shrubby.

The inflorescences are long narrow racemes with bundles (fascicles) of flowers, usually one to five, but sometimes up to 15.

There are usually five tepals, arranged spirally, fused at the base to form a tube, longer in female flowers than in male ones.

[2] The genus Oxygonum was first published in 1819 by Francisco Campderá, who attributed the name to William John Burchell.

[2] Oxygoneae (Oxygonum) Persicarieae Fagopyreae Pteroxygoneae Calligoneae Rumiceae Polygoneae As of March 2019[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]