kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate
• oriental smartweed
• prince's plume
• prince's-plume knotweed
• princess-feather
• prince's-feather

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lagunea orientalis
• Heptarina orientalis
• Persicaria cochinchinensis
• Polygonum cochinchinense
• Lagunea orientalis var. pilosa
• Polygonum orientale var. discolor
• Amblygonum orientale var. pilosum
• Reynoutria spaethii
• Goniaticum solitarium
• Polygonum orientale var. pilosum
• Polygonum orientale
• Polygonum orientale var. glabratum
• Polygonum hirtum
• Persicaria orientalis var. glabrata
• Lagunea cochinchinensis
• Polygonum cordobense
• Amblygonum orientale
• Polygonum subcordatum
• Amblygonum pilosum
• Polygonum schroeterianum
• Polygonum torquatum
• Polygonum spaethii
• Persicaria schroeteriana
• Persicaria pilosa
• Polygonum altissimum
• Polygonum orientale var. cochinchinense

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. As a member of the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae, it is further categorized under the genus Persicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Finland, Sweden, and Great Britain. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species can also be found throughout Middle Europe. Specific locations within this central region include Austria and Belgium. Consequently, the distribution of Persicaria orientalis spans a significant latitudinal stretch from the north to the heart of Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persicaria orientalis is characterized by its significant adaptability to varying altitudes and human-altered landscapes. It exhibits a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3200 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1365 m AMSL. In terms of environmental settings, the species is frequently found within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), indicating its ability to thrive in habitats modified by human activity.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1365 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Persicaria orientalis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire biological development—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological classification and growth habit, the plant is categorized as a therophyte, a life form that survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds. This strategy allows the plant to bypass harsh environmental conditions by remaining dormant, only germinating when favorable moisture and temperature levels are achieved to support its rapid seasonal growth.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Persicaria orientalis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or a liana, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit, neither aquatic nor epiphytic. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 2.5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.85 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.85 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Persicaria orientalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic efficiency and carbon fixation processes. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by significant morphological variability in its foliage, specifically regarding leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 15 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 22 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a broad range, with a mean width of 10 cm, a minimum of 3.5 cm, and a maximum expansion reaching 12 cm. This structural plasticity in leaf surface area supports its photosynthetic capacity within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Persicaria orientalis is characterized by a specific flowering window and the production of specialized fruit and seeds. The flowering period typically begins in July and continues through October. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.07 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These achenes are indehiscent and possess specific dimensions, with a mean length of 0.4 cm and a width that varies between a minimum of 0.3 cm and a maximum of 0.35 cm, averaging approximately 0.325 cm in width. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.00597 g, though individual seed masses can range from a minimum of 0.00494 g to a maximum of 0.007 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.35 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.325 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.07 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Seed mass max:

0.007 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00597 g

Seed mass min:

0.00494 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Persicaria orientalis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit, leaf.

Flower

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Leaf

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Chemicals

Persicaria orientalis has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TAXIFOLIN, quercetin, CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

TAXIFOLIN

1. Journal of food and drug analysis
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems

quercetin

1. Journal of food and drug analysis
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CATECHIN

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Flavonoids

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

protocatechuic acid

1. Journal of food and drug analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

quercitrin

1. Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

3,5,7-trihydrochromone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

5,7,4'-trihydroxydihydroflavonol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

5,7-Dihydroxychromone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Persicaria orientalis has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective, Thrombolytic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Thrombolytic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Persicaria orientalis has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood circulation, cerebral ischemia, digestion, diuresis, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations