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Polygonum hydropiper
  • Smartweed

an annual member of the Polygonum genus in the family Polygonaceae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Polygonum hydropiper has 0 edible uses listed
Polygonum hydropiper has 0 material uses listed
Polygonum hydropiper has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves and stems - raw or cooked. They can also be made into an acid peppery condiment[2]. They are very hot[3]. The leaves contain about 7.5% protein, 1.9% fat, 8% carbohydrate, 2% ash[4]. The leaves are said to contain rutin[5].

Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. The seed is used as a condiment - a pepper substitute[6].

The sprouted seeds or young seedlings can be used as a garnish or added to salads, they are commonly sold in Japanese markets[2]. They are very hot[3][4].

Unknown part

Condiment
Rutin

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow-gold dye is obtained from the stalks[7].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Smartweed has a long history of herbal use, both in Eastern and Western herbalism. It is not used very often, and is seen more as a domestic remedy being valued especially for its astringent properties which makes it useful in treating bleeding, skin problems, diarrhoea etc.

The leaves are anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, stomachic, styptic[8][9][10][11][12]. They contain rutin, which helps strengthen fragile capillaries and thus helps prevent bleeding[13]. Use with caution[10]. The seed is carminative, diuretic and stimulant[5]. The whole plant, either on its own or mixed with other herbs, is decocted and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diarrhoea, dyspepsia, itching skin, excessive menstrual bleeding and haemorrhoids[5][14]. A poultice of the plant is used in treating swollen and inflamed areas[15]. In Chinese tests, the plant was ranked 20th in a survey of 250 potential antifertility drugs[5].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[9]. It is used in the treatment of piles, menstrual pains and other menstrual complaints[9].

Unknown part

Antiinflammatory
Astringent
Carminative
Contraceptive
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Homeopathy
Stimulant
Stomachic
Styptic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a pot standing in water or in situ. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Polygonum hydropiper. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A water plant, growing in shallow water or wet soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are wet and dislikes shade.

Smartweed is cultivated for its edible leaves in Japan[3], the variety 'Fastigiatum' (syn P. maximowiczii) is the form normally used[16][3].

Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Polygonum hydropiper. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Polygonum hydropiper.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Polygonum hydropiper
Genus
Polygonum
Family
Polygonaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[8][9][10][11][12][13][5][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[7]
Botanic
[18]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.75 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Brooklyn Botanic Garden Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1986-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    12. ? 12.012.1 Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants. ()
    13. ? 13.013.1 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    16. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)
    17. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)


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    Facts about "Polygonum hydropiper"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPolygonaceae +
    Belongs to genusPolygonum +
    Has common nameSmartweed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useSeasoning +, Unknown use + and Rutin +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height0.75 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiinflammatory +, Astringent +, Carminative +, Contraceptive +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Homeopathy +, Stimulant +, Stomachic + and Styptic +
    Has search namepolygonum hydropiper + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy namePolygonum hydropiper +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +