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Persicaria perfoliata (L.) H. Gross
| Family Name: | Polygonaceae |
| Synonyms: | Polygonum arifolium var. perfoliatum, Polygonum perfoliatum |
| Common Name: | Mile-A-Minute Weed, Mile-A-Minute Vine, Mile-A-Minute Knotweed, Prickly Polygonum, Devils' Tail, Asiatic Tearthumb, Giant Climbing Tearthumb, 杠板归 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual, Semi-Annual / Annual-Like |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.8 m to 7.0 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Indian subcontinent, Eastern Russia, China, Korea, Japan, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Riverine, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herbaceous vine, climbing up to 7m high with an indefinite spread. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves deltoid (triangular) in shape, with recurved prickles on undersurface. |
| Stems | Reddish-brown, trailing and branching, thin and delicate, but armed with downward-pointing prickles. Internodes at base of leaf petioles (stalks) enclosed in characteristic cup-shaped ocrea (bract). |
| Flowers | Small and inconspicuous, white, produced in terminal or axillary inflorescences. |
| Fruit | Fleshy, berry-like segmented structures, ripen from green to metallic blue, with a shiny black or reddish-black globose achene (1-seeded true fruit) enclosed within each segment. Eaten and dispersed by birds and small mammals. |
| Habitat | Thickets, stream banks, forest edges, wet valleys and moist disturbed sites. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Decoction of plant used to stimulate blood circulation, as well as treat dysentery, boils, abscesses, traumatic injuries, toxic snake bites and cloudy urine. Juice of leaves used to treat backaches. Leaves reportedly boiled in water and drunk to treat sore throats. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Vertical Greenery / Green Wall |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Leaf, Spines/Thorns - Flower, Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Blue, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Achene |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 198 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1494 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
