Polygonaceae FAMILY

Polygonum equisetiforme

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & 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[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].

Botanical Description

Polygonum equisetiforme is a perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock. It produces numerous, erect to prostrate, slender stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; the stems can be up to 300cm long and 100cm tall[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 375 Title Grassland Species - Profiles Publication Author Website http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is cultivated in Israel and Libya for use in soil stabilization projects, and is also grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to form a ground cover[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeMediterranean region, thogh absent from France and much of the Balkans; east thrugh Turkey and the Caucasus to central Asia

HabitatChiefly ruderale[ 50 Title Flora Europaea Publication Author ? Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1964 ISBN - Description An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader. ]. Gardens, bluffs, ditches, weed-infested and slightly saline places, pastures and wormwood steppes in irrigated areas[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Waste areas and roadsides[ 375 Title Grassland Species - Profiles Publication Author Website http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/Default.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses. ].