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Polygonum lapathifolium - L.

Common Name Curlytop Knotweed
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people. Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].
Habitats Swampy thickets, shores, damp clearings and cultivated fields in N. America[43].
Range Temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including Britain. S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polygonum lapathifolium Curlytop Knotweed


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Polygonum lapathifolium Curlytop Knotweed
Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonum lapathifolium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. scabrum. Moench. Persicaria lapathifolium. (L.)S.F.Gray.

Plant Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked[105, 177]. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic  Astringent  Febrifuge  Stomachic

The whole plant is antiseptic and astringent[178]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach complaints and fevers[257]. The plant produces a soft white mass, a froth like that of soap. It is applied externally to burns[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

The plant produces a soft white mass, a froth like that of soap. It is used for bathing and washing clothes[272].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[200]. Repays generous treatment[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hainan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea, Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria (north), Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polygonum alaskanumAlaska Wild RhubarbPerennial1.8 -  LMHSNM21 
Polygonum alpinumAlpine Knotweed, Alaska wild rhubarbPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM21 
Polygonum amphibiumWillow Grass, Water knotweed, Longroot smartweed, Water smartweedPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNWeWa121
Polygonum arenastrumSmall-Leaved Knotweed, Oval-leaf knotweedAnnual0.3 4-8  LMHSNM231
Polygonum aviculareKnotweed, Prostrate knotweedAnnual0.3 4-8  LMHSNM231
Polygonum barbatumJoint WeedPerennial0.8 -  LMHSNM11 
Polygonum bistortaBistort, Meadow bistort, SnakeweedPerennial0.5 4-7 FLMHSNMWe332
Polygonum bistortoidesAmerican BistortPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM31 
Polygonum bungeanumBunge's smartweedAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum coccineumWater SmartweedPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNWeWa10 
Polygonum conspicuum Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum convolvulusBlack BindweedAnnual1.2 0-0  LMHSNM100
Polygonum divaricatum Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Polygonum douglasiiKnotweed, Douglas' knotweed, Austin knotweed, Engelmann's knotweed, Johnston's knotweed, Large knoAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNDM20 
Polygonum dumetorumClimbing false buckwheatAnnual1.8 0-0  LMHSNM11 
Polygonum equisetiforme Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHNDM102
Polygonum fugax Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM30 
Polygonum hydropiperSmartweed, Marshpepper knotweedAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHNWeWa221
Polygonum japonicumJapanese Knotweed, Mexican Bamboo, Japanese KnotweedPerennial3.0 4-10 FLMHSNM333
Polygonum limosum Perennial1.8 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum longisetumOriental lady's thumbAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Polygonum maackianum Annual0.8 -  LMHSNMWe10 
Polygonum manshurienseAsian BistortPerennial0.8 -  LMHSNMwe01 
Polygonum microcephalum Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum minusPygmy smartweedAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Polygonum molle Perennial2.5 6-9 FLMHSNM212
Polygonum multiflorumHe Shou Wu, Tuber fleeceflowerPerennial Climber4.5 6-9  LMHSNM23 
Polygonum nepalenseNepalese smartweedAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe111
Polygonum orientalePrince's Feather, Kiss me over the garden gateAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHSNM220
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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