pink bubble persicaria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Knotweed
• Pink-headed Knotweed
• Pink-headed Persicaria
• Japanese knotweed
• pink-head knotweed
• pink-head persicaria
• pink head knotweed
• pink knotweed
• pink smartweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polygonum capitatum var. pingue
• Polygonum repens var. pingue
• Cephalophilon capitatum
• Truellum capitatum
• Polygonum repens var. macilentum
• Polygonum capitatum var. macilentum
• Polygonum repens
• Polygonum robynsii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found inhabiting parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Its range extends further north into the territory of Sweden. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also present within the borders of Austria. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the region of Czechia-Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria capitaata is characterized by its presence in anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), indicating a capacity to colonize or persist within environments modified by human activity. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, with an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural and modified distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2050 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Persicaria capitata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, demonstrating a variable lifecycle that can transition through different developmental stages depending on environmental conditions. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or substrate during unfavorable seasons. This specific life form allows the species to persist through varying climatic shifts, maintaining its presence in its ecological niche through robust underground structures.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria capitata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This independent, non-parasitic plant exhibits a terrestrial lifestyle, ranging from semiaquatic to fully aquatic environments. It is a self-supporting species rather than a climber or liana, typically maintaining a prostrate shoot orientation. The plant reaches a height of between 0.3 m and 0.7 m, with individual shoots measuring from a minimum of 30 cm to a maximum of 50 cm in length.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot length max:

50 cm

Shoot length min:

30 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Persicaria capitata is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions and shapes. The leaves exhibit an ovate form, with sizes ranging from a minimum length of 1 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of approximately 2.25 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. This range in surface area and structural configuration suggests a dynamic capacity for light interception and gas exchange, adapted to the specific environmental conditions influencing its growth patterns.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.25 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria capitaata is characterized by bisexual flowers that are primarily pink in color and arranged in spike-type inflorescences. These inflorescences are relatively small, ranging in length from 0.006 m to 0.01 m. The individual flowers are minute, with lengths measuring between 0.25 cm and 0.3 cm. Pollination is a biotic process facilitated by insects. The plant exhibits no self-fertilization, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, black achenes, which are indehiscent fruits. These fruits are quite small, with a mean length of 0.175 cm (ranging from 0.15 cm to 0.2 cm). The seeds produced are highly prolific, with a count exceeding 1000 seeds per fruit. Each seed is extremely light, with a mean mass of 0.000805 g (ranging from 0.00061 g to 0.00061 g) and a consistent volume of 0.54 mm³. The flowering period is quite broad and variable, typically beginning in December and concluding in July, though it can span various months throughout the year. Dispersal is categorized as both unspecialized and anthropochorous, suggesting that while it lacks a highly specialized natural dispersal mechanism, it is often spread via human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.175 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.01 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.006 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00061 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000805 g

Seed volume max:

0.54 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Persicaria capitata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CAT, MDA, POD, SOD, chlorophyll a.

CAT

1. Biology

MDA

1. Biology

POD

1. Biology

SOD

1. Biology

chlorophyll a

1. Biology

quercetin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

quercitrin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Persicaria capitata has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gout, gouty arthritis, hyperuricemia, urinary calculus, urinary tract infections.

Gout

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Gouty arthritis

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hyperuricemia

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Urinary calculus

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Urinary tract infections

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Persicaria capitata has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous Persicaria capitata extract, whole herb.

Aqueous persicaria capitata extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Whole herb

1. Natural product research