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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Polygonum hydropiper is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
P. fastigiatoramosum. Makino. P. maximowiczii. Regel. Persicaria fastigiatoramosa. (Makino.)Nakai. P
Plant Habitats
Pond; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Seed
Edible Uses: Condiment Rutin
Leaves and stems - raw or cooked. They can also be made into an acid peppery condiment[183]. They are very hot[116]. The leaves contain about 7.5% protein, 1.9% fat, 8% carbohydrate, 2% ash[179]. The leaves are said to contain rutin[218]. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. The seed is used as a condiment - a pepper substitute[100]. The sprouted seeds or young seedlings can be used as a garnish or added to salads, they are commonly sold in Japanese markets[183]. They are very hot[116, 179].
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.
Antiinflammatory Astringent Carminative Contraceptive Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Homeopathy
Stimulant Stomachic Styptic
Smartweed has a long history of herbal use, both in Eastern and Western herbalism. It is not used very often, and is seen more as a domestic remedy being valued especially for its astringent properties which makes it useful in treating bleeding, skin problems, diarrhoea etc. The leaves are anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, stomachic, styptic[4, 9, 21, 147, 152]. They contain rutin, which helps strengthen fragile capillaries and thus helps prevent bleeding[222]. Use with caution[21]. The seed is carminative, diuretic and stimulant[218]. The whole plant, either on its own or mixed with other herbs, is decocted and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diarrhoea, dyspepsia, itching skin, excessive menstrual bleeding and haemorrhoids[218, 254]. A poultice of the plant is used in treating swollen and inflamed areas[257]. In Chinese tests, the plant was ranked 20th in a survey of 250 potential antifertility drugs[218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[9]. It is used in the treatment of piles, menstrual pains and other menstrual complaints[9].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye
A yellow-gold dye is obtained from the stalks[106].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A water plant, growing in shallow water or wet soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are wet and dislikes shade. Smartweed is cultivated for its edible leaves in Japan[116], the variety 'Fastigiatum' (syn P. maximowiczii) is the form normally used[58, 116]. 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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Plant Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a pot standing in water or in situ. 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
Coming Soon
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 Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Polygonum alaskanum | Alaska Wild Rhubarb | Perennial | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Polygonum alpinum | Alpine Knotweed, Alaska wild rhubarb | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Polygonum amphibium | Willow Grass, Water knotweed, Longroot smartweed, Water smartweed | Perennial | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | WeWa | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Polygonum arenastrum | Small-Leaved Knotweed, Oval-leaf knotweed | Annual | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Polygonum aviculare | Knotweed, Prostrate knotweed | Annual | 0.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Polygonum barbatum | Joint Weed | Perennial | 0.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Polygonum bistorta | Bistort, Meadow bistort, Snakeweed | Perennial | 0.5 |
4-7
| F | LMH | SN | MWe | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Polygonum bistortoides | American Bistort | Perennial | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Polygonum bungeanum | Bunge's smartweed | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum coccineum | Water Smartweed | Perennial | 0.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | WeWa | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum conspicuum | | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum convolvulus | Black Bindweed | Annual | 1.2 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Polygonum divaricatum | | Perennial | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum douglasii | Knotweed, Douglas' knotweed, Austin knotweed, Engelmann's knotweed, Johnston's knotweed, Large kno | Annual | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Polygonum dumetorum | Climbing false buckwheat | Annual | 1.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
| Polygonum equisetiforme | | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Polygonum fugax | | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Polygonum japonicum | Japanese Knotweed, Mexican Bamboo, Japanese Knotweed | Perennial | 3.0 |
4-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Polygonum lapathifolium | Curlytop Knotweed | Annual | 0.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Polygonum limosum | | Perennial | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum longisetum | Oriental lady's thumb | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum maackianum | | Annual | 0.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum manshuriense | Asian Bistort | Perennial | 0.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | Mwe | 0 | 1 | |
| Polygonum microcephalum | | Perennial | 0.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum minus | Pygmy smartweed | Annual | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 0 | |
| Polygonum molle | | Perennial | 2.5 |
6-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Polygonum multiflorum | He Shou Wu, Tuber fleeceflower | Perennial Climber | 4.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 3 | |
| Polygonum nepalense | Nepalese smartweed | Annual | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Polygonum orientale | Prince's Feather, Kiss me over the garden gate | Annual | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 0 |
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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
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Botanical References
17
Links / References
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