View source for Phil Bendle Collection:Persicaria capitata (Pink Knotweed)

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'''Kingdom:''' Plantae<br />
'''(Unranked):''' Angiosperms<br />
'''(Unranked):''' Eudicots<br />
'''(Unranked):''' Core eudicots<br />
'''Order:''' Caryophyllales<br />
'''Family:''' Polygonaceae<br />
'''Genus:''' Persicaria<br />
'''Species: ''' P. capitata<br />
'''Binomial name:''' Persicaria capitata<br />
'''Synonyms:''' Polygonum capitatum<br />
'''Common names:''' Pink-head knotweed, Pink Knotweed, Japanese Knotweed or Pink bubble persicaria.

Persicaria capitata is a native of Asia. It is a tailing, perennial, evergreen prostrate herb with a slender, woody rootstock and long slender, creeping, rooting stems.  It has alternate ovate leaves are 1–6 cm long, 0.7–3 cm wide with a reddish midrib with fine coloured hairs, giving a distinctive red ‘V’ pattern, The leaves become red when the plant is under stress.<br />
This plant has a strong urine scented odour. It develops ball-like inflorescences (7-20 mm across) of numerous pink flowers (2.5-3 mm long). Flowering occurs during Oct-Mar. it produces a small (1.5 mm long) and brown nut.<br />
Persicaria capitata is found growing on roadsides, dry banks &amp; slopes, open areas preferring full sun. Its impact on the environment is that it forms a dense carpet replacing most native vegetation. It spreads locally from trailing stems that root easily and also garden dumping.<br />
Persicaria capitata has been widely used in China in the treatment of various urologic disorders including urinary calculus and urinary tract.

Plant not under stress hence green leaves.<br />
[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0005/9449/Persicaria_capitata.JPG] 

Persicaria capitata leaves (not the flowers)<br />
[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0005/9439/Persicaria_capitata-001.JPG] 

The underside of the leaves<br />
[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0005/9444/Persicaria_capitata-002.JPG] 

Red foliage when the plant is under stress.<br />
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[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0001/8979/Persicaria_capitata__Pink_knotweed-10.JPG <br />
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[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0001/8974/Persicaria_capitata__Pink_knotweed-9.JPG]

Persicaria capitata growing in full sunlight and is a stress situation hence the red leaves.[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0001/8969/Persicaria_capitata__Pink_knotweed-8.JPG]

Persicaria capitata growing in part shaded area.<br />
[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0001/8989/Persicaria_capitata__Pink_knotweed_a.JPG]

Young leaves of Persicaria capitata<br />
[http://ketenewplymouth.peoplesnetworknz.info/image_files/0000/0001/8984/Persicaria_capitata__Pink_knotweed_a-1.JPG] 

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information:[http://www.terrain.net.nz/%20https:/creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/]


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[[Category:Weeds]]
[[Category:Phil Bendle Collection]]