Spotted Ladysthumb, Small water-pepper
Persicaria minor

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It can also keep growing from year to year. It lies along the ground but can also reach to 1 m high. The stems are slender. They are 1-4 mm thick. The leaf stalks are short. The leaves are sword shaped or almost linear. They are 5-12 cm long. The leaves are hairy underneath. The flowering arrangement is at the top. There are 1 or more lax false spikes. These are 1-6 cm long. There are 3-6 flowers and the bracts are funnel shaped. The fruit are lens shaped with faces which curve outwards. They are 1.5-2 mm long. They are black or brown and shiny.

There are about 50 Polygonum species. It possibly has anti-cancer properties. It has 2.6 mg per 100 g dry weight and 1.4 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at low altitudes in wet places in Papua New Guinea. It grows in better drained places at higher altitudes. It can grow from sea level to 2500 m altitude. In Argentina it grows below 500 m below sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, Europe, India, Indochina, Iraq, Ireland, Malaysia, Middle East, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten in curries.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lady's-thumb, Persicaria, Kesum, Kesom

Synonyms

Persicaria tenella (Blume) H. Hara; Peutalis minus (Huds.) Raf.; Polygonum minus Hudson; Polygonum tenellum Blume; and many others