Persicaria affinis

Persicaria affinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Persicaria
Species: P. affinis
Binomial name
Persicaria affinis
Wall. ex Meisn.

Persicaria affinis (fleece flower, knotweed) is a species of flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae, native to the Himalayas. Formerly known as Polygonum affine, other synonyms include Bistorta affinis and Polygonum brunonis.

Description

P. affinis is a creeping, densely tufted, mat-forming perennial, growing to 25 cm (10 in) tall by 60 cm (24 in) broad. The narrow elliptic leaves are glaucous beneath. Leaves are mostly at the base, 3–8 cm long, with the base narrowed to a short stalk. Leaf margins are entire or very finely toothed. The mid-vein is prominent. Cylindrical spikes of many pale pink or rose-red flowers are borne at the top of short erect stems, from midsummer to Autumn. Flower-spikes are 5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) long, with densely crowded flowers. Stamens slightly protrude out of the flowers. Flowering stems are several, 5–25 cm tall, with very few smaller leaves. When the flowers have died, they tend to persist on the plant into winter.[1]

Habitat

P. affinis is found in the Himalayas, from Afghanistan to E. Nepal, at altitudes of 3,000–4,800 m (9,843–15,748 ft).[2]

Cultivation

The plant is used ornamentally as groundcover. The following cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

References

  1. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  2. ↑ "Kew Gardens - Plants & fungi - Persicaria affinis". Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Persicaria affinis 'Darjeeling Red'". Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Persicaria affinis 'Donald Lowndes'". Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Persicaria affinis 'Superba'". Retrieved 25 May 2013.

External links