Family: Polygonaceae
Author: Gray
Bibliography: Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 269 (1821 publ. 1822)
Year: 1822
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Persicaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Eurasia, N. Africa
Description
Jesusplant, scientifically known as Persicaria maculosa, is a widely recognized species of flowering plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family. The plant is notable for its unique and distinguishable characteristics, rendering it an interesting subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Persicaria maculosa can be found across temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa, flourishing in these locales due to their favorable climatic conditions. The plant’s adaptability to a variety of habitats is reflected in its widespread distribution, although it often prefers areas that are moist and have a nutrient-rich soil.
One of the most striking features of the Jesusplant is its distinctive foliage. The leaves are often marked with a dark, V-shaped splotch, which some people say resembles an ecclesiastical symbol, potentially contributing to its common name. These markings, along with the plant’s elongated, alternating leaves, make it easily identifiable in the wild.
In addition to its leaves, Persicaria maculosa produces small, delicate flowers that typically bloom in clusters, varying in shades from white to pink. These blooms not only add a splash of color to their natural habitats but also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive process, attracting a variety of pollinators.
The Jesusplant was categorically described and cataloged by botanist Samuel Frederick Gray in his seminal work, “Natural Arrangement of British Plants,” published in the early 19th century. This thorough documentation has paved the way for subsequent botanical research and classification of the species.
Overall, Persicaria maculosa, or Jesusplant, remains a subject of interest due to its widespread presence and distinctive characteristics. Whether observed in its natural habitat or studied under scientific scrutiny, it continues to be a fascinating specimen within the Polygonaceae family.
Common Names
Dan: fersken-pileurt, ferskenbladet pileurt, ferskenpileurt
Deu: floh-knöterich
Eng: jesusplant, lady’s-thumb, red shank, redshank, spotted lady’s-thumb, spotted ladysthumb, spotted lady’s thumb, blackheart, heart’s-ease, heartweed, lady’s-thumb smartweed, redleg
Fin: hanhentatar
Swe: hanhentatar, åkerpilört, pilört
Nno: hønsegras, åkerhønsegras
Nob: hønsegras, åkerhønsegras
Nor: loppgras
Nld: perzikkruid
Fra: pied rouge, renouée persicaire
Sme: bealdonjuolas
Cym: coesgoch, dail y groes, elinog goch, y ganwraidd goesgoch
Lat: persicaria
En: Jesusplant, Redshank, Spotted lady’s-thumb, Lady’s-thumb, Spotted ladysthumb, Red shank, Spotted lady’s thumb, Redleg, Blackheart, Heart’s-ease, Heartweed, Lady’s-thumb smartweed, Persicaria, Red Leg, Willow Weed, Lady’s Thumb, Lady’s- thumb, Smartweed, Spotted knotweed, Spotted smartweed
Ca: Herba presseguera, Presseguera vera
Zh: Liao
Cs: Rdesno červivec
Da: Ferskenpileurt, Fersken-pileurt, Ferskenbladet pileurt
Nl: Perzikkruid, Smerte
Fi: Hanhentatar
Fr: Pied rouge, Renouée persicaire, Persicaire, Pied-rouge, Pilingre, Renouée douce, Renouée gonflée
De: Floh-Knöterich, Floh Knöterich, Pfirsichblättriger Knöterich
It: Persicaria, Poligono persicaria
La: Persicaria
Se: Bealdonjuolas
No: Loppgras
Nb: Hønsegras, Åkerhønsegras
Nn: Hønsegras, Åkerhønsegras
Pt: Erva-pessegueira
Pt-br: Erva-de-bicho, Erva-de-pessegueiro
Sk: Horčiak obyčajný
Es: Persicaria manchada
Sv: Åkerpilört, Hanhentatar, Pilört
Cy: Coesgoch, Dail y Groes, Elinog Goch, Y Ganwraidd Goesgoch
Synonyms
- Polygonum persicaria (L.)
- Persicaria ruderalis (C.F.Reed)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. maculosum ((Gray) Dyer & Trimen)
- Peutalis persicaria ((L.) Raf.)
- Polygonum ruderale (Salisb.)
- Persicaria persicaria ((L.) Small)
- Polygonon persicarium ((L.) St.-Lag.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Laos (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile North (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Føroyar (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Greenland (introduced)
- Iceland (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- Labrador (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Manitoba (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Saskatchewan (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Yukon (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 29, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 29, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 24, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 10, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Tineke Ruiter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 10, 2019 by mel bonv (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2022 by firetiger (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 30, 2020 by Hans van den Heuvel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2019 by Kerstin Kerstin (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Clément BEURET (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 22, 2019 by evelyne vauzelle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2019 by Dan W (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Gui ferl (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Joshua Griffin (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:695052-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6391194)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persicaria maculosa Gray)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Crown
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.5
Ph minimum: 4.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 8