Polygala persicariifolia

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A hairy annual herb. It grows about 45 cm high. The leaves have short stalks. They are oblong. The flowers are yellow. They are in open flower clusters in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The fruit is a capsule. It is oblong.

There are about 600 Polygala species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal it grows between 700-1900 m altitude. It grows in shady places. In West Africa it grows in savannah areas. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Nigeria, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Thailand, West Africa, Zambia

How it is used for food

In Nepal the leaves are used for making fermenting cake from which liquor is distilled.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bijakanne

Synonyms

Polygala buchanani D.Don; Polygala wallichiana Wight;