Persicaria amphibia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the territories of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Føroyar and Iceland. The species is also documented throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations define the primary northern range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria amphibia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives in a wide variety of habitats, frequently colonizing moisture-rich or disturbed areas such as lakes, rivers, meadows, and crop fields, while also demonstrating resilience in drier or more transient locations like roadsides and sandy soils. Its vertical distribution is extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations as high as 4000 m AMSL, resulting in a significant mean elevational range of approximately 1875 m AMSL. This ability to inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial landscapes across vast topographical gradients underscores its versatile ecological niche.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1875 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, lakes, meadows, rivers, roadsides, sand

Life history

The life history of Persicaria amphibia is characterized by a versatile and resilient biological strategy. It functions primarily as a perennial plant, though its life cycle can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its structural adaptation to its habitat, the species is classified as a helophyte, a life form that allows it to thrive in transitional wetland environments by maintaining parts above the water or soil surface while protecting its perennial structures below. Furthermore, its survival mechanism is rooted in being a cryptophyte, ensuring that its essential regenerative organs remain protected from seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors to facilitate regrowth in subsequent growing seasons.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria amphibia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its habitat and positioning, it is classified as terrestrial rather than an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.321 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.321 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria amphibia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and energy production processes. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on standard autotrophic methods rather than the absorption of nutrients from prey. Its leaf morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of 10 cm. The leaf width fluctuates between 2.5 cm and 4 cm, contributing to a mean leaf size of approximately 28.74875 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 169.74 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf area and its dry mass, which is indicative of its structural efficiency and resource allocation in its natural habitat.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf size mean:

28.74875 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

169.74 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria amphibium is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through September. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that range in length from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. The pollination process is biotic, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is present within the species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent and vary in width, with a minimum of 0.25 cm, a mean of 0.275 cm, and a maximum of 0.3 cm. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a minimum and maximum mass of 0.000666 g and a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00282633333333333 g. For the spread of the species, Persicaria amphibium employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on water to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.275 cm

Fruit width min:

0.25 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.000666 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00282633333333333 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Persicaria amphibia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Persicaria amphibia has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone extracts, methanol extracts.

Acetone extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanol extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)