Lesser knotweed
Persicaria campanulata

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It lies along the ground. It grows 0.6-1.2 m high and spreads 0.9-1.5 m wide. The leaves have short stalks. They are oval or sword shaped. They are hairy above and woolly underneath. The leaves are 3.5-12 cm long. The flowers are white. They occur in loose flower clusters at the ends of branches. They become red with age.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 2100-4000 m altitude. It grows in moist, open places. It does well in shade. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The tender shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or root offshoots.

Its other names

Local names

Rapre ghans

Synonyms

Polygonum campanulatum Hook.f.; Aconogonum campanulatum (Hook.f.) Hara; Reynoutria campanulata (Hook.f.) Moldenke; Polygonum crispatum C.B.Clarke;