Persicaria capitata explained

Persicaria capitata, the pink-headed persicaria, pinkhead smartweed, pink knotweed, Japanese knotweed, or pink bubble persicaria, is an Asian species of plants in the genus Persicaria within the buckwheat family. It is native to Asia (China, Indian Subcontinent, Indochina) and grown as an ornamental in other countries. It has become naturalized in Australia, South Africa and a few scattered locations in the Americas.[1] [2]

Description

Persicaria capitata is a prostrate herb.[3] The leaves are 1–6 cm long, 0.7–3 cm wide with pink to red bands or blotches and short scattered hairs. The spikes are 5 - 10 mm long and 5 - 7 mm in diameter.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Persicaria capitata is a native of Asia. It has naturalised in parts of Australia and North America. Between 2008 and 2013 it has been recorded as an invasive plant in Ireland from the Counties Fermanagh, Kilkenny, Wexford and Mayo.[5]

Uses

Persicaria capitata has been widely used in China in the treatment of various urologic disorders including urinary calculi and urinary tract infections.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Persicaria%20capitata.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map, Persicaria capitata
  2. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242100091 Flora of North America, Persicaria capitata
  3. Web site: Persicaria capitata. New South Wales Flora Online. 2009-07-25.
  4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242414798 Flora of China, Polygonum capitatum Buchanan-Hamilton ex D. Don, 1825. 头花蓼 tou hua liao
  5. Devlin, Z. 2017 A new record for the introduced plant Persicaria capitata (Pink-headed Persicaria), from Newport, Co. Mayo (H27).Irish Naturalists' Journal 35:116
  6. Liao SG, Zhang LJ, Sun F, Zhang JJ, Chen AY, Lan YY, Li YJ, Wang AM, He X, Xiong Y, Dong L, Chen XJ, Li YT, Zuo L, Wang YL, "Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts and fractions from Polygonum capitatum." J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Feb 3; Authors: