Dotted Smartweed
Persicaria punctata

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It can grow for 1 or 2 years. It can grow to 1 m tall. The leaves are 4-12 cm long by 1-3 cm wide.

There are about 50 Polygonum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, India, Mexico (country/location of origin), North America, Northeastern India, Paraguay, Puerto Rico (country/location of origin), South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked as a vegetable.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or rhizomes.

Its other names

Local names

Acatoria, Ajicillo, Barbasco, Caa tai, Cataia, Correguela, Duraznillo, Persiana, Pimienta de agua, Sanguinaria, Yerba del bicho, Yerba de sapo

Synonyms

Persicaria acris (Kunth) M. Gomez; Persicaria punctata (Elliott) Small; Polygonum acre Kunth; Polygonum punctatum Persicaria punctata (Elliott) Small is probably the correct name