by Bella Zhao
Your Adelaide Park Lands host a diverse range of plant life.
Among them is the semi-aquatic Slender Knotweed (Persicaria decipiens), a species of flowering plant native to Australia, Africa and Asia.
This example spotted alongside the South Park Lands Creek in Blue Gum Park / Kurangga (Park 20). Pic: @v_apple, iNaturalist
This common plant grows vigorously during summer and dies back during winter. It can grow into thick mats covering shallow water, usually only 30 cm tall, although it can grow upright to one metre.
Slender Knotweed (Persicaria decipiens) near the wetlands in G.S. Kingston Park / Wirrarninthi (Park 23). Pic @orchidrose - iNaturalist
It has tiny pink flowers and a characteristic brown blotch on each leaf.
Blotches on the leaves. Pic: @mirrabookman / iNaturalist
It has a habit of spreading horizontally via an extensive network of underground rhizomes.
Slender knotweed is an important habitat for many wetland animals including spiders, insects, crustaceans, snails and tadpoles. In your Park Lands it can be found in or near water in:
the wetlands in the southern part of Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16);
the wetland in G.S. Kingston Park / Wirrarninthi (Park 23);
the South Park Lands Creek in Parks 18, 19, and 20;
First Creek, near Frome Road in Botanic Park / Tainmuntilla (Park 11); and
the River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari in J.E. Brown Park (Park 27A)
Beside the wetlands in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi (Park 16). Pic: @john_glover / iNaturalist
Its scientific name “Persicaria” is derived from the Latin word “persica” meaning "peach" or "peach-like".
Slender Knotweed can be confused with the “Pale knotweed” which is also found in your Park Lands.
Although Slender Knotweed thrives in wetlands, it is tolerant of Adelaide’s dry weather, adaptive to a wide array of soil and moisture conditions.
It is found across all states of Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the Mediterranean, through southwestern Asia, the equatorial islands of south-east Asia, as well as Norfolk Island, and New Caledonia. It has become naturalised in Madagascar.
Although it is not known to have been cultivated as a crop anywhere in the world, it is eaten locally in times of famine in Africa.
See the other plants featured in this series here:
https://www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au/know-your-park-lands-plants
Top, banner image: Terra Occ, iNaturalist
