Persicaria minor (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz
- Protologue: Seznam: 72 (1852).
Synonyms
Polygonum minus Huds. (1762).
Distribution
Spread widely throughout Europe and temperate and tropical Asia.
Uses
In Peninsular Malaysia, a decoction of the leaves is taken for indigestion. In Java, the leaves are sometimes eaten as a vegetable.
Observations
An annual to perennial, decumbent or ascending herb, 10-30(-40) cm tall, rooting at the base, stems branched, especially below, spreading, slender, glabrous; leaves ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 2-7 cm × 0.3-1 cm, apex acute to subobtuse, appressed hairy on midrib beneath, subsessile, ocrea tubular, truncate, 0.5-1.2 cm long, short ciliate; inflorescence consisting of 1-3 terminal or axillary spikes or pseudospikes, slender, erect, 1.5-5 cm × 0.5 cm, dense or interrupted; bracts 2-2.5 mm long, obtuse, ciliate, perianth minute, pink, rarely white; nutlet ovoid or ellipsoid, 1-2.5 mm long, biconvex, shiny black or brown. P. minor occurs in humid or soggy localities and along water sides, in fallowed rice-fields, from 550-2200 m altitude.
Selected sources
455, 838, 1022.
Authors
Nguyen Thi Do