Common Name:

General Information

Persicaria maackiana is an annual plant with much-branched, erect to ascending stems; it can grow around 30 - 80cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people.
Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, eastern China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Wet places along ditches, river banks and rice fields in lowland C. and S. Japan[]. Shaded grassy places in valleys; at elevations from 100 - 1,600 metres[]. Oxbow lakes and other overgrown water bodies[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in an ordinary garden soil, whilst preferring a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[]. They generally rpays generous treatment[].
When growing with its base in shallow water or in silt, the plant produces bunches of long adventitious roots from the nodes along the stem[].;
Most plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[].

We have no specific information for this species, but the seed of most, if not all, members of the genus is edible both raw and cooked, and is potentially a good source of amino acids. Unfortunately the seed is also usually rather small and fiddly to utilize[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts.