Skip to main content

Polygonum tomentosum

Willd.

Polygonaceae Edible: Leaves

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved

iNaturalist· cc0

no rights reserved

Description

A perennial herb. It grows 0.5-1.5 m tall. It can float. The stems have stripes. The stems are 1.5 cm across. The leaves are sword shaped and have a white coating. The flower spikes occur at the top of the plant. The flowers are white. The dry fruit looks like a lens with 2 prominent sides.

Edible Uses

It has been found in analysis of the intestinal contents of the Tollund Man body, found in peat in Denmark in 1950.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are eaten in soups.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in wet parts of tropical Asia.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Asia, Cambodia, Central Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Indochina, Madagascar, Malawi, Myanmar, Nigeria, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa,

Notes

There are about 50 Polygonum species.

Also Known As

Kanteang hae, Kan traing he, Nghe nuoc

References (7)

  • Cengel, D. J. & Dany, C., (Eds), 2016, Integrating Forest Biodiversity Resource Management and Sustainable Community Livelihood Development in the Preah Vihear Protected Forest. International Tropical Timber Organization p 125
  • Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 96
  • Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 214
  • Phon, P., 2000, Plants used in Cambodia. © Pauline Dy Phon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. p 509
  • Tanaka, Y & Van Ke, N., 2007, Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam. Orchid Press. p 122
Show all 7 references
  • Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 68
  • Thiselton-Dywer, W.T., (Ed.), 1913, Flora of Tropical Africa. Vol VI-section 1. Reeve, p 110

More from Polygonaceae