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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Polygonum_tinctorium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to November. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Persicaria tictoria. (Ait.)Spach.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Young plant - cooked[105, 177]. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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The stems and the leaves are antidote, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, antipyretic and depurative[174, 176, 218, 279]. Their use increases the phagocytosis of white blood cells and decreases the permeability of the capillaries[176]. The indigo pigment in the leaves is used[176]. It is used in the treatment of freckles, pimples, erysipelas, mumps, thrush, epidemic protitis, infantile convulsions and high febrile conditions of children[176]. The leaves and fruits are used in Korea to help protect the liver and to treat burns and food poisoning caused by eating fish[279]. The fruits are antidote and febrifuge[218]. The plant is anti-inflammatory[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
A blue dye is obtained from the leaves of this plant[46, 105, 169]. The leaves produce about 4 - 5% indigo by hydrolysis and acidification[74].
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]. Requires full sun and a fertile soil[169]. Prefers hot humid climates[169]. A frost tender plant[169], it can be grown as a half-hardy annual in Britain. This plant used to be cultivated as a dye plant[50, 74]. 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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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
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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 :
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
Aiton.
Botanical References
5074200
Links / References
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