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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Polygonum microcephalum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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: Seed Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment
Young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[272]. Used as a condiment[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.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other 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. 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
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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 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 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
D.Don.
Botanical References
266272
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