Watersmart weed, Hairy knotweed
Persicaria attentuata

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It can grow in water or dry land. The stems are spreading. They can have long hairs. The sheaths are reddish-brown and 3 cm long. The leaves are 8-20 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The leaves are hairy. The flower spikes are 11 cm long by 1 cm wide. The flowers are about 0.4 cm long and white. The fruit are small nuts. They are dark brown to black.

There are about 75-150 Persicaria species. There are about 20 in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the edges of swamps and waterways. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in salads. They are also cooked as a vegetable.

A locally used vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Jankong, Jukut carang

Synonyms

Polygonum attentuatum R.Br.; Polygonum pulchrum Blume;