'Polygonum' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polugonon,' where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'gonu' meant 'knee or joint.'

'Polugonon' transformed into the Latin word 'polygonum,' and eventually became the modern English word 'Polygonum.'

Initially, it referred to plants with many joints, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.