Microcephalum Knotweed (Polygonum microcephalum)

Family: Polygonaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Polygonum microcephalum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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 soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young shoots - cooked as a vegetable. Used as a condiment. Seed - raw or cooked. It is rather small and fiddly to utilize. — Young shoots - cooked as a vegetable.; Used as a condiment.; Seed - raw or cooked.; It is rather small and fiddly to utilize.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist open places at elevatins of 1200 - 1800 metres in Nepal. Mixed forests on mountain slopes, grassy places in valleys, grassy slopes at elevations of 500 - 3200 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)