Flowering plant serve to protect the sporophylls and to form an envelope attractive to pollinators. The individual members of these surrounding structures are known as sepals and petals (or tepals in flowers such as "Magnolia" where sepals and petals are not distinguishable from each other). The outer series (calyx of sepals) is usually green and leaf-like, and functions to protect the rest of the flower, especially the bud. The inner series (corolla of petals) is, in general, white or brightly colored, and is more delicate in structure. It functions to attract insect or bird pollinators. Attraction is effected by color, scent, and
Polygonum ramosissimum calyx. The calyx is around long and 5-parted with the outer three sepals longer than the inner sepals. The seeds are produced in fruits called achenes, which are egg-shaped, dark brown and around long. The achenes also have a smooth shiny surface. The late season achenes are larger, from 4 to 15 mm long. There are a number of forms and two subspecies, that vary in flower and foliage coloration. "Polygonum ramosissimum" has great morphological variability, which is notable on the same plant, between flowers and fruits produced early in the blooming season verses those produced late in the season,