| Etymology | Genus | Referring to the likeness of the leaves to a peach tree |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Of Chinese origins | |
| Family | Polygalaceae | |
| Synonyms | Polygonum chinense L. | |
| Common Names | Chinese knotweed, Creeping Smartweed | |
| Status | Exotic: Naturalised | |
| Form | Herb | |
| Native Distribution | China, Indian Subcontinent, Indochina, Malesia | |
Diagnostics:
Persicaria chinensis is a creeping herb that is sometimes found in open wastelands or drains. The alternate branching with leaves appear in a zig-zag fashion. The leaves have a cordite or truncated base and minutely crenate margins. The mid-veins and petiole are commonly reddish, and the leaf surface have a dark spot near the centre of the lamina.
There are a few varieties of this species, and the one found in Singapore is Persicaria chinensis var. chinensis. It is characterised by leaf blades which are ovate or narrowly ovate (eFloras, 2020).
A clump growing up from a drain along Upper Thomson Road (2020).
Branch growing in a zig-zag form.
Leaf with red mid-vein and a light smudge at the centre.
Leaf underside.
Inflorescence.
References
eFloras (2020) Polygonum chinense Linnaeus. Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge. http://www.efloras.org/. Accessed on 5-Mar-2020.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2020-03-05