Polygonum affine

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It forms mats. It grows 10 cm tall and spreads 60 cm wide. The leaves are narrow and have a waxy coating underneath giving them a white colour. The leaves are mostly at the base and 3-8 cm long. The flower spikes are 5-8 cm long on stalks 5-25 cm long.

An unresolved name in The Plant List.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-4,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Tibet

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw or cooked. The shoots are cooked with fish and eaten in curries.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Han jareng, Khaldi, La kang, Mi sui quan shen, Pangram, Rambu, Rammu, Simauro

Synonyms

Bistorta affinis (D. Don) Greene; Persicaria affinis (D. Don) Ronse Decr.; Polygonum donianum Spreng.;