Slender Knotweed, Snake root
Persicaria decipiens
Family: Polygonaceae
What it is like
A small herb. It can keep growing from year to year or re-grow from seed each year. It can grow in water or on land. It grows 20-50 cm high and spreads 30-100 cm wide. The stems are spreading and creeping. They form roots at the lower nodes. The sheaths are 2 cm long and brown. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are sword shaped. They are green but can have reddish tinges. There is usually a purple blotch near the middle. The flower spikes are 6 cm long by 0.4 cm wide. The flowers are 3.5 cm long and pink or white. The fruit is a small nut. It is brown.
There are about 75 Persicaria species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in damp situations. It grows in marshy places and on the edge of streams. In West Africa it grows in the savannah in swampy sites. It is often in high rainfall sites. In Africa it grows from sea level to 2,400 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are slimy, coarse and not very popular.
It is locally used and is a famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or division of the rooted stems.
Its other names
Local names
Bomboli, Cikanda-nzovu, Cikungu, Khovani, Nnyo-ya-oudi, Vumbani
Synonyms
Persicaria salicifolia (Brousse. ex Willd.) Asserov; Persicaria serrulata (Lag.) Webb. & Moq.; Polygonum decipiens R. Br.; Polygonum divaricatum Poir.; Polygonum erythropus Dammer; Polygonum leuconeuron Peter; Polygonum salicifolium Brouss. ex Willd.; Polygonum scabrum Poir.; Polygonum serrulatum Lag.;