Some of the reports listed here were for Persicaria minor (Huds.) Opiz. However, Persicaria minor is restricted to temperate areas of Europe, eastern and northern Asia; whilst these reports were for plants in Malaysia, New Guinea and Australia. Persicaria minor was originally recorded as occurring in these tropical areas, in the forms of the subspecies micranthum (Meisner) Danser; and procerum (Danser) Steward. However, these subspecies have now been transferred to Persicaria kawagoeana[] and so we have transferred the records of plant uses to this species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Persicaria kawagoeana is a decumbent to ascending, annual plant. The slender stems are usually branched from the base and form new roots at their lower nodes; they usually grow from 20 - 60cm tall[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine.

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.
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[].

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Japan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Malaysia, Indonesia to Australia

Habitat

Moist valleys, waste areas, field margins; at elevations from sea level to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Persicaria kawagoeana is found from the warm temperate climate of Japan and China to the tropics of southeast Asia.
Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[]. Repays generous treatment[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Eaten as a vegetable and in curries[, ]. (Reported as Persicaria minus).

We have no specific information for this species, but the seed of most, if not all, members of the genus is edible both raw and cooked, and is potentially a good source of amino acids. Unfortunately the seed is also usually rather small and fiddly to utilize[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is taken as a treatment for indigestion, and is also taken after child birth[, ]. (Reported as Persicaria minus).

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out when they have reached sufficient size.

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