Polygonum minus

Huds.

Pygmy smartweed

PolygonaceaeLeavesSeeds/NutsPotential hazards — see below

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Yiching Lin

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Seed

Leaves - raw or cooked. Eaten in curries. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.

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.

Where to Find It

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and temperate Asia.

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Buryatia, Gorno-Altay, Tyva, Respublika, Krasnoyarsk, Chelyabinsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tyumen), Kazakhstan, Russian Federation (Amur, Habarovskij kraj, Primorye) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Russian Federation (Baškortostan, Respublika, Karelia, Murmansk), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France

How to Identify

Polygonum minus is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

How to Grow

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade. Repays generous treatment. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

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.

What to Eat

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

How to Identify

How to Grow

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