Persicaria chinensis

Persicaria chinensis (synonym Polygonum chinense),[1] commonly known as creeping smartweed[2] or Chinese knotweed, is a plant species from the family Polygonaceae. It is widespread across China, Japan, the Indian Subcontinent, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.[3] It is a common plant in Malaysia and Vietnam, where it is used in herbal remedies, such as for the treatment of dysentery, enteritis, and sore throat.[4] It is a weed in some coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.[5]

Persicaria chinensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Persicaria
Species:
P. chinensis
Binomial name
Persicaria chinensis
L. H.Gross[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Ampelygonum chinense (L.) Lindl.
  • Ampelygonum umbellatum (Houtt.) Masam.
  • Coccoloba indica Wight ex Meisn.
  • Persicaria umbellata (Houtt.) Nakai
  • Polygonum auriculatum Meisn.
  • Polygonum chinense L.
  • Polygonum densiflorum Blume
  • Polygonum umbellatum (Houtt.) Koidz.
  • Rumex umbellatus Houtt.

Persicaria chinensis is a perennial climber that grows to 2–3 m high. Its stems are glabrous and red-brown, with longitudinal stripes. Its leaves have oval blades, are 4–8 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with pointed apex and round or nearly cordate base. Its cymes emerge at terminals, and are 5–7 cm long, with small white or pink flowers. Its fruits are berries, globose in shape and enclosed in the enlarged and fleshy calyx at maturity. They are edible and sour tasting. The seeds are small and black.[4]

References
  1. "Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  2. English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 565. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  3. Flora of China, Polygonum chinense Linnaeus, 1753. 火炭母 huo tan mu
  4. Tanaka, Yoshitaka; Van Ke, Nguyen (2007). Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam: The Bountiful Garden. Thailand: Orchid Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-9745240896.
  5. Wilson, K.L. "New South Wales Flora Online: Persicaria chinensis". Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia.
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