Alpine knotweed, Giant fleeceflower
Koenigia alpina

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 50-100 cm tall. The stems branch above the middle.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can tolerate cold. In some regions it grows up to 2,700 m above sea level. It is best in moist soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, China, Denmark, India, France, Greece, Himalayas, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Manchuria, Mongolia, Northeastern India, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, Xinjiang

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten. The stems can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be used like rhubarb. The juice is sweetened and used as a drink.

Edible parts

Leaves, stems, juice

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ts'artkhali

Synonyms

Aconogonon alpinum (All.) Schur; Persicaria alpina (All.) H. Grose; Pleuropteropyrum alpinum (All.) Kitag.; Polygonum alpinum All.;