St. Mary's wort (Polygonum persicaria)

shrub with pink flowers called Polygonum persicaria

La Hierba de Santa María or Polygonum persicaria It is a crop plant belonging to the family of Polygonaceae and that is composed of more than 200 species of herbaceous plants widely distributed on all continents.

This is known by various denominations such as, turkey mucus, pejiguera, polygon and persicaria.

Features

flower that sticks out of the weed called Polygonum persicaria

It belongs to the genus of plants called ruderal, which are those that proliferate in areas altered by natural phenomena such as avalanches and also by constructions and agricultural activities carried out by human hands.

These ruderal species usually remain for a certain time in the altered areas, but as long periods pass, they lose ground in relation to the native species of the region, although if the alteration is continuous, they can establish themselves and form long-lived populations.

The polygons according to their classification can be crawling, climbing or uprightIts leaves are also diverse, between linear or oval and its small flowers with the absence of petals appear in spikes of various colors, generally three and which are pink, yellow and white.

The usefulness of this species consists of cover the cleared areas of our gardens with respect to the so-called climber, which serves to decorate our terraces and balconies.

Its physical characteristics are erect stems ranging in size from 10 to 80 centimeters very straight and descending with limited thickness at the nodes, subsssile lanceolate leaves, few hairy on the underside or lower each and in the case of the glabrous, a black spot can sometimes be distinguished on its central or middle nerve that distinguishes and identifies it .

Its straight stem on occasions and in certain circumstances, can lean in such a way that it falls to the groundThis results in the generation of a new root from each node of the stem that holds the plant to the ground and over time, new vertical and straight stems grow back.

Its flowering time covers a period of six months between May and October both inclusive and its fruits are called achene trigone or dried fruit.

The physical and geographical factors in which this plant develops fully, are those altered soils, gutters, ditches, stream edges, etc.

They grow in full light and semi-shade with soils that retain moisture and rich in organic matter, and with medium heating temperatures. The proper PH should be between 5.5.-8 and soils enriched with nitrogen, synonymous with multiple nutrients.

Regarding its biological type, it is a species whose seeds persist in times that are not favorable to it, a quality for which it is called therophile, to which they belong.

Pests and diseases Polygonum persicaria

Close up pink flowers called Polygonum persicaria

These plants have the particularity of not suffer attacks from pests and diseases that usually affect other garden plants.

It is normal to find them in the regions that make up the Iberian Peninsula between Mallorca and Menorca and in many other towns such as La Coruña, Almería, Asturias and Gijón.

It is also known as a perennial or deciduous plant and contains persicarin and tannins. It is said that the polygonium It is useful for the treatment of diarrhea thanks to the tannic acid that helps in this type of stomach ailments, and is frequently used in medicine.

Uses

Its fresh leaves are used quite effectively in the containment of hemorrhages, heals sores and external ulcers on the skin, as well as it is used as an astringent. Nevertheless they are considered to be of the aggressive genus or weeds, as they are commonly known.

The tender leaves and shoots can be consumed in salads as they are nutritious and taste good.

Care

Regarding its care and as we have already mentioned above, this species for its full development requires moderate sun exposure; if it is in a not very hot climate it can thrive in full sun.

With reference to the risks, care is varied depending on the species. It differs from that of the mountain species, whose irrigations must be continuous unlike those of warmer climates that require more moderate irrigation.


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