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Polygonum perfoliatum - L.

Common Name Asiatic tearthumb
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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 Wet thickets and by rivers in lowland all over Japan[58]. Moist, open, uncultivated land at elevations of 900 - 1400 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, India.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polygonum perfoliatum Asiatic tearthumb


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Polygonum perfoliatum Asiatic tearthumb
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonum perfoliatum is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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

Persicaria perfoliata.

Plant Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Tender young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. Used as a vegetable[272]. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. The ripe fruits (seeds) are eaten fresh, especially by children[272].

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.
Depurative  Diuretic  Dysentery  Febrifuge

The whole plant is depurative, diuretic and febrifuge. It is also used to stimulate blood circulation[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of dysentery, enteritis, boils and abscesses, poisonous snake bites, haematuria, cloudy urine and traumatic injuries[147]. The juice of the leaves is used in the treatment of backaches[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. We are not sure if it is a perennial or annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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: Russian Federation (Amur, Primorye), 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, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu (possibly), Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Hong Kong, Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (northeast), Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines (north)

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 lapathifoliumCurlytop KnotweedAnnual0.8 4-8  LMHSNMWe111
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

58266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Vern Rose   Tue May 6 2008

Please publish WARNINGS that this plant known a Mile-A-Minute can not be cultivated without it getting out of control and permanently disrupting North-American bio-systems. Polygonum perfoliatum , now officially renamed Persicaria perfoliata , will overcomes, kills and replace North-American cool-climate bio-system plants, and effectively reduce plant, insect, bird and animal populations, by replacing food-producing native plants. It would be irresponsible not to mention that Mile-A-Minute it is an extremely invasive plant, an ecological threat to the North American bio-system, a real Pandora's Box, where it has reached epidemic proportions since its reintroduction in York County, Pennsylvania in the 1930's, from infested nursery Rhododendron stock from the Malaysian Peninsula, another bio-system. WHY: ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Mile-a-minute weed grows rapidly, scrambling over shrubs and other vegetation, blocking the foliage of covered plants from available light, and reducing their ability to photosynthesize, which stresses and weakens them. If left unchecked, the lack of photosynthesis will kill a plant. Large infestations of mile-a-minute weed eventually reduce native plant species in natural areas. Small populations of extremely rare plants may be eliminated entirely. Because it can smother tree seedlings, mile-a-minute weed has a negative effect on Christmas tree farms, forestry operations on pine plantations and reforestation of natural areas. It has the potential to be a problem to nursery and horticulture crops that are not regularly tilled as a cultivation practice. Problem: See URL www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry/invasivetutorial/problem.htm Fact Sheet: URL dcnr state pa us Forestry invasive tutorial mile-a-minute. Please, please, please, do not advise ever planting this pestilence. I have given up many of my weekends hand pulling Mile-A-Minute in parts of the Fairmount Park System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and would not advise anyone to propagate this plant., besides, it is illegal in many states. see: www agriculture state pa us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?q=127683 IT IS ILLEGAL TO PROPAGATE, SELL OR TRANSPORT THE FOLLOWING WEEDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH [of Pennsylvania ] Polygonum perfoliatum, commonly known as Mile-a-minute.

DCNR - Invasive plants

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