Persicaria viscosa

Persicaria viscosa, commonly known as sticky knotweed, is a distinctive annual herb characterized by its viscid, glandular stems. Native to tropical regions, this plant is valued in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its unique adhesive texture and resilient growth make it a fascinating subject for ethnobotanical study.

  • Scientific name: Persicaria viscosa
  • Family: Polygonaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within 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 viscosa, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Japan, it is called ニオイタデ (nioitade), while in Korea, it is referred to as 기생여뀌 (gisaeng-yeokkyi). In Sweden, the species is known as Klibbpilört, and in Vietnam, it is called Nghể dính. Additionally, in China, it is commonly identified as 香蓼 (xiāngliào).
Language Common Name Source
ja ニオイタデ Wikidata
ko 기생여뀌 Wikidata
sv Klibbpilört Wikidata
vi Nghể dính Wikidata
zh 香蓼 Wikidata
zh-tw 香蓼 Wikidata
zh-hans 香蓼 Wikidata
zh-cn 香蓼 Wikidata
de Polygonum viscosum Wikidata
zh-tw 黏毛蓼 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across parts of East Asia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found specifically within the Khabarovsk and Primorye regions. Its distribution extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the Manchuria area. Furthermore, the species is widely recorded throughout China North-Central and China South-Central. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in different ecological zones across the continent.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as sticky knotweed, is valued in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties, which are often derived from the whole plant parts. Practitioners frequently utilize the whole plant to prepare various decoctions or poultices, ensuring that the diverse chemical constituents found throughout the stems, leaves, and flowers are captured for medicinal use.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆