Polygonum nepalense
| Polygonum nepalense | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Polygonum nepalense
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[2]. Repays generous treatment[1].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[3].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Himalayas.
Habitat: Usually common in damp shaded situations, 1700 - 2000 metres in Srinagar. Damp woods in mountains all over Japan[4]. Exposed rocky slopes, 1200 - 4000 metres in Nepal[5].
Edibility: Tender young leaves and shots - raw or cooked as a vegetable[6][5].
Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.
Medicinal: A juice of the root is used in the treatment of fevers[5]. A paste of the root is used as a poultice on fresh wounds[5].
Usage: The squeezed plant is used for washing clothes[5].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people._x005F
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whil
Also Known As: Persicaria nepalense. (Meissn.)Miyabe.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.