Polygonum perfoliatum
| Polygonum perfoliatum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 6' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Polygonum perfoliatum
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 judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. We are not sure if it is a perennial or annual. 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, India.
Habitat: Wet thickets and by rivers in lowland all over Japan[4]. Moist, open, uncultivated land at elevations of 900 - 1400 metres in Nepal[5].
Edibility: Tender young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked. Used as a vegetable[5].
Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. The ripe fruits (seeds) are eaten fresh, especially by children[5].
Medicinal: The whole plant is depurative, diuretic and febrifuge. It is also used to stimulate blood circulation[6]. A decoction is used in the treatment of dysentery, enteritis, boils and abscesses, poisonous snake bites, haematuria, cloudy urine and traumatic injuries[6].
The juice of the leaves is used in the treatment of backaches[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Late 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 perfoliata.
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 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.