Polygonum orientale L., Sp. Pl. 362. 1753; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 30. 1886; D.A.Webb & Chater in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ. 1: 80. 1964; Rech. f. & Schiman-Czeika in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. 56: 57. 1968; R.R.Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. Kashm. 207. 1972; Persicaria pilosum Roxb., Fl. Ind. 2: 286. 1832; P. tibetica Rendle in J. Bot. 428. 1900; Amblyogonum orientale (L.) Nakai in Mori. Enum. Pl. Cor. 192. 1922.

Erect, (50-) 100-150 cm high, strigose or hairy, branched, annual herb. Stem branched, densely hairy or rarely glabrous, angular. Leaves 3-20 (-25) x 1-15 cm, ovate, acute-acuminate, entire, hairy all over, sometimes slightly cordate, petiole up to 8.0 cm long. Ochrea 4-20 (-25) mm long, broadly ovate, entire, hirsute to densely hirsute. with a membranous, dilated, herbaceous leaf-like lobe and recurved mouth. Inflorescence 2-15 cm long, moderately dense, terminal, erect, pedunculate branched raceme; peduncle 1-5 cm long, hirsute - hairy. Flowers 1.0-1.5 mm across, sessile, enclosed in ochreolae. Ochreolae 2-5 mm long, ovate, densely hairy. Perianth biseriate, dark pink, tepals 5, 1-2.5 x 1.0-1.5 mm, lanceolate-ovate, obtuse. Stamens 7-8, filaments short unequal, anthers basifixed, up to 1.25 mm long, exserted. Ovary 0.25-0.5 mm, circular, biconvex, with two styles, free for half the length, stigmas capitate. Nuts 2-3 x 1.5-2.5 mm, biconvex with sharp edges, granulate-striate, black.

Fl. Per.: June-September.

Type: Described from Orient, India.

Grows between 800-2500 m, probably naturalized in our region; Distribution: Central Asia - Kashmir, Malaya, Japan, China.