Persicaria sect. Cephalophilon

Stems prostrate or decumbent to ascending or erect, branched, unarmed. Leaves: ocrea usually chartaceous, rarely coriaceous proximally and chartaceous distally, margins eciliate or ciliate; petiole usually winged, auriculate; blade usually with dark triangular or lunate blotch adaxially, broadly elliptic to ovate, base cordate, rounded, truncate, or cuneate, margins entire. Inflorescences terminal or terminal and axillary, capitate, uninterrupted. Flowers homostylous, articulation swollen or not; perianth urceolate or campanulate; tepals (4–)5, connate 1/3–1/2 their length; stamens (5–)8; styles deciduous, 2–3, included, spreading.

Distribution

Asia, introduced also in Europe, Africa, Pacific Islands.

Discussion

Species ca. 16 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Persicaria capitata, Persicaria chinensis, Persicaria nepalensis

Key

1	Achenes biconvex; abaxial surface of leaf blades glandular-punctate	Persicaria nepalensis
1	Achenes 3-gonous; abaxial surface of leaf blades not glandular-punctate	> 2
2	Leaf blade margins ciliate with reddish, multicellular hairs; ocreae lanate; peduncles glabrous or stipitate-glandular distally	Persicaria capitata
2	Leaf blade margins glabrous or antrorsely scabrous with whitish hairs; ocreae glabrous or pubescent; peduncles stipitate-glandular along entire length	Persicaria chinensis