 |
|
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bjoertvedt |
 |
|
Translate this page:
Summary
Physical Characteristics
Polygonum persicaria is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots
Edible Uses:
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[55, 62, 105, 183]. They contain about 1.9% fat, 5.4% pectin, 3.2% sugars, 27.6% cellulose, 1% tannin[178]. 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.
Astringent Diuretic Lithontripic Poultice Rubefacient Vermifuge
The leaves are astringent, diuretic, rubefacient and vermifuge[9, 21, 53, 178, 222]. An infusion has been used as a treatment for gravel and stomach pains[257]. A decoction of the plant, mixed with flour, has been used as a poultice to help relieve pain[257]. A decoction of the plant has been used as a foot and leg soak in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The crushed leaves have been rubbed on poison ivy rash[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
Read More
Other Uses
Dye
A yellow dye is obtained from the plant when alum is used as a mordant[207].
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:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
Shop Now
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
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 hydropiper | Smartweed, Marshpepper knotweed | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | WeWa | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 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 |
|
|
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
17
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.