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Persicaria perfoliata

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A trailing annual herb. It can grow for one or more years. It is 2-3 m long. It has prickles which are hooked. The limb is triangular in cross section. The leaves are D shaped. They are 2-8 cm across. There can be bristles which curve backwards on the edges. The flowers are in spike like heads. These are at the top of the plant or in the axils of leaves. There can be one to many flowers. They are white or pink. The fruit is almost round and 3 mm across. They are black and shiny.

There are about 50 Polygonum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in open wet places. It grows from 1000-1750 m altitude in Papua in Indonesia. In Nepal plants grow between 900-1400 m altitude. They grow in moist, open land.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Guinea, North America, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used for preparing chutney. They are pleasantly acid. The tender leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The young leaves and stem tips and young fruit are cooked with other greens and used as a side salad with rice. It is also used as a sour flavouring for soups, stews and fish dishes. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. Caution: It can be high in oxalates.

Leaves are sold in local markets. It is cultivated. The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, fruit, stem tips, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It can also be grown from rooted cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Achajay, Amile pire lahara, Baghasora, Bagh asora, Bakhre, Bonoriya ghehu, Ci li tou, Gianbanqui, Ghumauro kanda, Haganturia, Hanserong derot, Hengaturia, Kanta tokpata, Lingthuh, Ma-ngo, Ma-seinthli, Mikhri lai, Moitha sikhla, Nghe xuyen-la, Posikung, Thanlanqui, Wedusan

Synonyms

Ampelygonum perfoliatum (L.) Roberty & Vautier; Echinocaulos perfoliatus (L.) Hassk.; Fagopyrum perfoliatum (L.) Raf.; Polygonum perfoliatum L.; Truellum perfoliatum (L.) Sojak; and others