Vietnamese Mint

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Vietnamese-coriander
• Vietnamese coriander

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polygonum odoratum

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. Falling under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is a member of the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification is completed within the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across multiple regions of Asia and Europe. In the European continent, its presence is specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving toward Asia, it is widely distributed throughout several distinct provinces of China. This includes significant coverage in China South-Central, China North-Central, and China Southeast. Additionally, the species can be found growing in the tropical climate of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria odorata is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, demonstrating significant environmental adaptability. It is distributed from low-lying coastal or riverine areas at a minimum elevation of 20 m AMSL up to montane regions reaching a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. The species maintains a mean elevational presence of approximately 760 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation habitats that balance tropical warmth with more temperate montane conditions. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to colonize various ecological niches within its geographic range, transitioning from humid lowland environments to higher, potentially cooler elevations.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

760 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

20 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Persicaria odorata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, demonstrating a variable growth cycle that allows it to persist through multiple seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. This life form, categorized both as a hemicryptophyte and more broadly within the hemicryptophyte growth habit, enables the plant to endure environmental fluctuations while maintaining the capacity for seasonal regrowth from its subterranean structures.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria odorata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber and maintains a terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.2 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of 1 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria odorata is characterized by its metabolic processes as a perennial herbaceous plant, primarily focused on efficient nutrient uptake and rapid vegetative growth in semi-aquatic or moist environments. Its physiological framework is built around a robust photosynthetic capacity, utilizing C3 carbon fixation to convert sunlight into chemical energy, which supports its sprawling growth habit. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer (nitrogen_fix_1: no). Instead, it relies on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and chlorophyll production. The plant's transpiration rates are highly influenced by its preference for high-moisture substrates, where it maintains turgor pressure and facilitates the transport of essential minerals through its vascular tissues. Furthermore, its physiological profile includes the synthesis of volatile aromatic compounds, which are secondary metabolites produced through specialized metabolic pathways to serve ecological functions such as herbivore deterrence.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Persicaria odorata has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Chemicals

Persicaria odorata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CA, CATECHIN, Flavonoids, MG, MN.

CA

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

CATECHIN

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Flavonoids

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

MG

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

MN

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

quercetin

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Activities

Persicaria odorata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Antioxidant

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Conditions

Persicaria odorata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include disease resistance, fungi.

Disease resistance

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Fungi

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Persicaria odorata has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic leaf extract, leaves, used to season fish.

Ethanolic leaf extract

1. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI

Leaves

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Used to season fish

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition