Persicaria hydropiperoides

Persicaria hydropiperoides, commonly known as Water Pepper, is a versatile medicinal herb native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, this plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat digestive ailments, skin infections, and respiratory issues, offering a natural approach to holistic healing.

  • Scientific name: Persicaria hydropiperoides
  • Family: Polygonaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

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

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Caryophyllales WCVP
Family Polygonaceae WCVP
Genus Persicaria WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Persicaria hydropiperoides, is referred to by various names depending on the linguistic context. In Portuguese, it is commonly called Polygonum hydropiperoides, while in German, it is also identified as Polygonum hydropiperoides. In Arabic, the plant is known as بطباط المستنقعات.
Language Common Name Source
pt Polygonum hydropiperoides Wikidata
ar بطباط المستنقعات Wikidata
de Polygonum hydropiperoides Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a remarkably wide and fragmented geographical distribution across several distinct global regions. In the Atlantic, it can be found inhabiting the Macaronesian islands, specifically within the Azores and the Canary Islands. Its range extends to the northern reaches of the Americas, where it is located in subarctic Alaska. Moving toward the eastern hemisphere, the species is documented in the Russian Far East, particularly in the Primorye region. Finally, the plant is also known to grow within the Caucasus, specifically throughout the Transcaucasus area.

Region Area Source
Macaronesia Azores WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP
Subarctic America Alaska WCVP
Western Canada British Columbia WCVP
Eastern Canada New Brunswick WCVP
Eastern Canada Nova Scotia WCVP
Eastern Canada Ontario WCVP
Eastern Canada Québec WCVP

Chemicals

Persicaria hydropiperoides has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ethyl gallate, quercetin, quinic acid.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
ethyl gallate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Persicaria hydropiperoides has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆