Fragrant smartweed
Polygonum viscosum

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 50-100 cm high. The branches have glandular hairs. The leaves are sword shaped and 5-13 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are wedge shaped at the base. There are short stiff hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are pink. They are in cylinder shaped clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is dry and 3 sided and 3 mm long. It is black and shiny.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows from sea level to 1,900 m above sea level. It grows in wetlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Russia, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young plant is used as a spice.

It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Plant - spice, leaves - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

E nuo si pi, Han fai, Ma liu, Nghe trin

Synonyms

Persicaria kuekenthalii H. Lev.; Persicaria viscosa (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) H. Gross ex Nakai; and others