water pepper

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polygonum hydropiper var. sarbhanganicum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. filiforme
• Polygonum hydropiper var. maximowiczii
• Persicaria hydropiper subsp. maximowiczii
• Persicaria maximowiczii
• Persicaria hydropiper var. angustifolia
• Polygonum hydropiper var. glandulosissima
• Persicaria hydropiper var. fastigiata
• Polygonum hecasanthum
• Polygonum schinzii
• Polygonum schindleri
• Polygonum hydropiper var. hispidum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. densiflorum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. vulgare
• Polygonum hydropiper var. projectum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. longistachyum
• Persicaria hydropiper var. densiflora
• Persicaria koreensis
• Polygonum hydropiper f. ciliare
• Polygonum flaccidum var. hispidum
• Persicaria hydropiper var. projecta
• Polygonum hydropiper subsp. megalocarpum
• Persicaria hydropiper subsp. laetivirens
• Polygonum ciliare
• Persicaria hydropiper subsp. hispida
• Persicaria hydropiper var. longistachya
• Persicaria erectominor var. koreensis
• Persicaria hydropiper var. glandulosissima
• Polygonum chloroleucon
• Polygonum podophyllum
• Persicaria koreensis f. viridiflora
• Polygonum fallacinum
• Persicaria vernalis
• Polygonum pallidium
• Polygonum hydropiper var. pauciflorum
• Peutalis hydropiper
• Persicaria hydropiper var. sarbhanganica
• Persicaria fastigiatoramosa
• Polygonum hydropiper var. obtusifolium
• Polygonum hydropiper var. angustifolium
• Polygonum hydropiper var. laetivirens
• Polygonum koreense f. viridiflorum
• Polygonum punctatum var. mucronatum
• Polygonum hydropiper
• Polygonum kinashii
• Persicaria hydropiper f. scabrida
• Polygonum koreense
• Persicaria hydropiper var. filiformis
• Polygonum obtusifolium
• Persicaria hydropiper f. angustissima
• Polygonum maximowiczii
• Polygonum fastigiatoramosum
• Polygonum fastigiatoramosum var. angustissimum
• Polygonum vernale
• Persicaria fastigiatoramosa var. angustissima
• Polygonum sarbhanganicum
• Persicaria hydropiper var. maximowiczii
• Persicaria urens
• Persicaria hydropiper var. scabrida
• Persicaria hydropiper var. fastigiata
• Persicaria hydropiper f. viridis
• Polygonum hydropiper f. angustissimum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. fastigiatum
• Polygonum hydropiper var. gramineum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is categorized within the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its presence is documented in the country of Finland. The species also inhabits parts of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends to the landscapes of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria hydropiper is characterized by its preference for diverse, moisture-rich environments, frequently colonizing canals, forests, meadows, shores, and swamps. This plant exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to thrive across a vast range of vertical gradients. It can be found at sea level, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, and extends its habitat up to a maximum altitude of 3500 m AMSL. Across its entire geographical spread, the species maintains an average elevation of approximately 1775 m AMSL, highlighting its adaptability to both lowland riparian zones and higher-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1775 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, forest, meadows, shores, swamps

Life history

The life history of Persicaria hydropiper is characterized by its classification as an annual species, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. Functioning primarily as a therophyte, it relies on seeds to survive unfavorable periods, and its growth habit is further defined as a helophyte, allowing it to thrive in marshy or semi-aquatic environments where it bridges the gap between terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it completes its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria hydropiper is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. The plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in plant height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.48075 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.48075 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria hydropiper is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process optimized for temperate or moist environments. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through soil absorption and photosynthesis rather than capturing prey. The leaf morphology plays a crucial role in its resource management, exhibiting a mean leaf length of 6 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 12 cm) and a mean width of 1.2 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm), resulting in an average leaf size of approximately 14.07689 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 410.67 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf mass per area and suggests an adaptation for efficient light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

14.07689 cm²

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

410.67 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria hydropiper is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through October. During this time, the plant produces inflorescences with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.08 m. The pollination process is driven by an insect pollination syndrome, and the plant is capable of self-fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, indehiscent fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits vary in length, with a mean measurement of 0.275 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. The resulting seeds are small, possessing a consistent length of 2.8 mm and a volume of approximately 1.9 mm³. The seed mass is quite minute, with a mean of 0.0019634375 g, oscillating between a minimum of 0.00124 g and a maximum of 0.00239 g. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through a combination of hydrochorous (water-mediated) and unspecialized mechanisms.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.275 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence length max:

0.08 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00239 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0019634375 g

Seed mass min:

0.00124 g

Seed volume max:

1.9 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Persicaria hydropiper has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology

Root

1. Contraception

Chemicals

Persicaria hydropiper has 63 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, (+)-Fuegin, (6S,9S)-Roseoside.

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nutrients
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nutrients

(+)-Fuegin

1. Planta medica

(6S,9S)-Roseoside

1. Planta medica

1,4-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

7-ketoisodrimenin

1. Planta medica

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Anthraquinones

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Persicaria hydropiper has 372 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifertility, Antifungal, Anthelmintic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pharmaceutical biology
4. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antifertility

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
3. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antifungal

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Persicaria hydropiper has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, diarrhea, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, postprandial hyperglycemia.

Cancer

1. Nutrients

Diarrhea

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Dyspepsia

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Hemorrhoids

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Postprandial hyperglycemia

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Type-2 diabetes

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Persicaria hydropiper has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 99% methanol extracts, Ph-ME, bioactive ether fraction, crude root extract, poison fish.

99% methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ph-me

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bioactive ether fraction

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Crude root extract

1. Contraception

Poison fish

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Powdered dry root

1. Contraception