HerbWildPerennialMedicinal

Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M. Gomez

Kala vera

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Description

Persicaria glabra is an annual herb, usually 30–100 cm tall, with erect, smooth, and branched stems. The stems are often green to reddish and show swollen nodes typical of Polygonaceae. Leaves are simple, alternate, narrowly lanceolate to elliptic, usually 5–15 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. Leaf surfaces are smooth and glabrous, with entire margins and pointed tips. The ochrea is membranous, smooth, and generally without hairs. Flowers are small, white to pale pink, arranged in slender terminal and axillary spikes. Flowers are bisexual with 5 tepals, several stamens, and a superior ovary. Fruits are small triangular achenes, dark brown at maturity.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Summer–autumn Fruiting: Autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally used for Fever, Inflammation, Digestive problems.

Ecological Importance

Supports wetland biodiversity. Provides nectar and shelter for insects.

Agricultural Importance

Occasional weed in Rice fields, Moist cultivated areas.

UniFlora AI Assistant

Ask about Kala vera

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Distinguished from related Persicaria species by Glabrous leaves and stems, Smooth ochrea, Slender inflorescences, UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌱. Look for 🌿 Smooth knotweed herb, 💧 Wet habitats.