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PLANT PROFILE LIST
_sl8.jpg/800px-Polygonum_aviculare_subsp._depressum_(s._lat.)_sl8.jpg)
NAME: Knotgrass
SPECIES / FAMILY: Polygonum Aviculare / Polygonaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S): knotweed, lowgrass, birdweed (3)
CONDITIONS:
sun/shade, any soil
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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mild |
RAW/COOK |
summer |
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Stalk/Stem |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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mild |
RAW/COOK |
summer |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION: small-medium
COMMENT: This plant is very drought resistant. // Leaves - Used as a potherb. Seed - raw or cooked. Rather small and fiddly to utilize, they can be used in all the ways that buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is used, either whole or dried and ground into a powder for use in pancakes, biscuits and piņole. The leaves are a tea substitute.(1)
CAUTION: 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, boil with lid off to minimize.(1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: Leaves very rich in zinc. Anthelmintic; Antiphlogistic; Astringent; Cardiotonic; Cholagogue; Diuretic; Emetic; Emollient; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Haemostatic; Lithontripic; Purgative; TB; Vasoconstrictor;
Vulnerary. (1) Also see -
- https://healthyfocus.org/health-benefits-of-knotgrass
- https://agric4profits.com/17-medicinal-health-benefits-of-polygonum-aviculare-common-knotgrass
LOOK-A-LIKES:
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: Dye. Yields a blue dye that is not much inferior to indigo. The part used is not specified, but it is likely to be the leaves. Yellow and green dyes are obtained from the whole plant. The roots contain tannins, but the quantity was not given.(1)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):
- https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Polygonum+aviculare
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonum_aviculare
- http://www.ediblewildfood.com/knotgrass.aspx (good photos)
- http://www.wildflowerweb.co.uk/plant/274/common-knotgrass
- https://www.facebook.com/wildfoodgirl/posts/prostrate-knotweed-polygonum-aviculare-is-an-interesting-but-easily-overlooked-e/877905742279316
- https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Knotgrass (part of a Harry Potter potion?!) https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Knotgrass_Mead
- https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/78678-Polygonum-aviculare