Persicaria perfoliata

Mile-a-minute weed

Persicaria perfoliata, commonly known as climbing smartweed, is a distinctive climbing herbaceous plant recognized by its unique leaves that wrap around the stem. Native to various tropical regions, it holds significant traditional importance, often utilized in herbal medicine for its purported healing properties and its role in diverse ecological systems.

  • Scientific name: Persicaria perfoliata
  • Family: Polygonaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, 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 perfoliata, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 扛板归 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), 扛板歸 in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and 扛板歸 in the Cantonese context of Hong Kong (zh-hk). Its name is also translated as イシミカワ in Japanese (ja) and is commonly known as 며느리배꼽 in Korean (ko).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 扛板归 Wikidata
zh-hant 扛板歸 Wikidata
zh-hk 扛板歸 Wikidata
ja イシミカワ Wikidata
ko 며느리배꼽 Wikidata
zh 扛板归 Wikidata
ru Горец пронзённолистный Wikidata
sv Truellum perfoliatum Wikidata
ceb Truellum perfoliatum Wikidata
war Truellum perfoliatum Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of Eurasia. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Germany. The species also extends significantly into the Russian Far East, where it can be found in the Amur region. Furthermore, it inhabits the Khabarovsk and Primorye territories of the Russian Far East. Finally, its geographical range reaches the island of Sakhalin within the same Far Eastern area.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Russian Far East Amur WCVP
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP
Western Asia Türkiye WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP

Activities

Persicaria perfoliata has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Persicaria perfoliata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆