Chinese knotweed, Creeping smartweed
Persicaria chinensis

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It is a straggling perennial weed often woody near the base and up to 2-3 m tall. It can be a climber. Branches are ridged and grooved. Leaves are alternate and have stalks. The leaves are 2.5-14 cm long by 1.3-8 cm wide. They are oblong to sword shaped. They taper to the tip. They are hairy on the mid vein underneath. The base is cut off. Flowers are at the top and are white or pink. A black berry-like fruit develops with a 3 sided shape.

There are about 50 Polygonum species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 700-2200 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places. It grows in wetlands. It occurs in natural forest clearings and in abandoned gardens. It is mostly between 1000 m and 2500 m altitude. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a salad or condiment. The harvested leaves can be stored for 4-5 days. They are cooked and used as a vegetable. They are used in curries and chutney. The tender leaves and shoots are pickled. They are also eaten fresh. The flowers are acidic and are eaten raw. The small nutlets are also eaten. CAUTION Several Polygonums or smart weeds are considered poisonous for animals.

The ripe fruit are eaten by children. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, leaves - tea, flowers, fruit

How it is grown

It grows wild from seed. Plants are grown seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ameta, Angom-yensil, Bai fan teng, Bai-vu, Bakhre thotne, Behu, Beng gen, Besongali, Bilichini, Boktaung, Chorakam, Delap, Duoi tom, Ganigalu, Gelaiche, Heganturia, Ja-lynnong, Jampera, Kaker bantabhat, Kakka karumbu, Kakur thotne, Kelnap, Kolemukku dagu, Kuki, Kukur thotne, Kundyut-pam, La lom, Lorum, Lymbeh, Madhu soleng, Madhuri tenga, Maha-gar-kyan-sit, Maikhri thai, Mekri donok, Modhu soleng, Mohicharan sak, Narali, Obei-o kati, Obiovu, Okhi morokpo, Okung, Paral, Phiahapa, Pokok semuloh, Ratnaulo, Qaub yag, Ta-ham, Theidon, Thom lom, Wetkyein, Yerumai naakku chedi

Synonyms

Polygonum chinense L.; Ampelygonum chinense (L.) Lindley; Coccoloba crispata Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.; Polygonum auriculatum Lam.; Polygonum brachiatum Lam.; Polygonum patens D.Don;