Patterns of morphological variation in Polygonum setaceum Baldwin ex Elliott are examined, and the taxonomic significance of the varieties recognized by Fernald is reevaluated. The diagnostic characters used to differentiate the varieties in P. setaceum demonstrate virtually continuous variation, and broad geographic intergradation is recognized. Principal components analyses of major morphological characters also fail to separate the varieties. These results strongly suggest that recognition of var. setaceum, var. interjectum, and var. tonsum by Fernald is unwarranted.