''Koenigia polystachya'' is a species of flowering plant in the
knotweed family,
[ known by the common names Himalayan knotweed and cultivated knotweed. It has several regularly used ]synonyms
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means precisely or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are a ...
, including ''Polygonum polystachyum'', ''Aconogonon polystachyum'' and ''Persicaria wallichii''.[
''Koenigia polystachya'' is native to Asia (southwestern China, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar, Afghanistan) and it is planted many places as an ]ornamental Ornamental may refer to:
*Ornamental grass, a type of grass grown as a decoration
*Ornamental iron, mild steel that has been formed into decorative shapes, similar to wrought iron work
*Ornamental plant, a plant that is grown for its ornamental qua ...
. It has the capacity to become an invasive species
An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native spec ...
and has established itself in some parts of North America, primarily the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada.[Flora of China, ''Polygonum polystachyum'' Wallich ex Meisner in Wallich, 1832. 多穗神血宁 duo sui shen xue ning ]
/ref> It is an invasive weed in the mountains of Sri Lanka.
''Koenigia polystachya'' is a rhizomatous
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome ( ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...
perennial herb producing thick, hollow, erect stems easily exceeding one meter (40 inches) in length. Via its rhizomes it can form dense colonies. It may also spread asexually if sections of the stem containing rooting nodes are separated and moved to a new area; chopping the plant into small pieces does not necessarily keep it from growing.CDFA EncycloWeedia
/ref> The hairy leaves are up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. The branching inflorescence
In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...
is an array of lacy clusters of many small white flowers.[
Called ''thothnay'' in Sikkim and Darjeeling areas of India, the pleasantly sour-tasting edible shoots and stems are used as vegetable or used to make piquant condiments and accompaniments for meals.
]
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentCalphotos Photo gallery, University of California
Polygonoideae
Flora of Asia
Invasive plant species in Sri Lanka
Plants described in 1832
{{Polygonaceae-stub