lesser persicaria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lesser persicaria
• pygmy smartweed
• small water-pepper
• asian knotweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polygonum persicaria f. minus
• Polygonum minus var. interruptum
• Persicaria tenella
• Polygonum minus var. depressum
• Polygonum strictum var. interruptum
• Persicaria pumila
• Polygonum intermedium
• Polygonum minus var. subcontinum
• Polygonum minus var. latifolium
• Persicaria stricta
• Polygonum minus var. incanescens
• Persicaria minor var. latifolia
• Polygonum strictum var. majus
• Polygonum banca
• Polygonum minus var. erectum
• Polygonum daphnophyllum
• Polygonum minus var. laxiflorum
• Polygonum daphnophyllum
• Polygonum vulgare
• Polygonum humirepens
• Polygonum minus subsp. depressum
• Polygonum strictum var. subcontinuum
• Polygonum pusillum
• Persicaria minor subsp. depressa
• Polygonum minus var. micranthum
• Peutalis minor

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Its presence is also documented across the various terrains of Finland. Moving westward, the species inhabits the natural environments of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its range extends into the northernmost territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria minor is characterized by a wide altitudinal distribution and a versatile ability to inhabit diverse environments. This species can be found across an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Its ecological adaptability is further evidenced by its presence in a variety of distinct habitats, including canals, forests, hills, meadows, and roadsides, as well as in sandy substrates.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, forest, hills, meadows, roadsides, sand

Life history

The life history of Persicaria minor is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, the species is classified as a therophyte, meaning it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for regrowth. This life form dictates its rapid growth pattern and its reliance on a transient period of favorable moisture and temperature to fulfill its reproductive requirements.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria minor is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial habitat, though it can also be found in semiaquatic or aquatic environments. It is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, instead establishing itself directly within its soil or water-saturated substrate.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria minor is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant relies on direct CO2 uptake through its stomata without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Furthermore, the plant is strictly non-carnivorous, meaning it does not possess specialized structures for trapping or digesting prey to supplement its nutrient intake, instead relying on its root system and soil interactions for the uptake of essential minerals and water.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria minor is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period for this species typically begins in July and extends through October. During this time, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, which is further supported by the presence of self-fertilization mechanisms. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release seeds. The resulting seeds are characterized by a consistent, minute mass of 0.00087 g (with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all being equal). For the spread of the next generation, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to transport its small seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass mean:

0.00087 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Persicaria minor 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 stem.

Stem

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Persicaria minor has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Polydatin, Terpenoids, resveratrol.

Anthraquinones

1. Journal of AOAC International

Flavonoids

1. Genomics data

Polydatin

1. Journal of AOAC International

Terpenoids

1. Genomics data

resveratrol

1. Journal of AOAC International

Activities

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

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Persicaria minor has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV-1, anger, cognitive function, confusion, mild cognitive impairment.

Hiv-1

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anger

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Cognitive function

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Confusion

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Mild cognitive impairment

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Mood

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Persicaria minor has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Persicaria minor extract supplement.

Persicaria minor extract supplement

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies