Redshank
Redshank growing in a crack
in pavement
Growing unimpeded on waste land
Terminal flower spike
Flower - 2 stigmas and 6 stamens
Terminal and lateral flower spikes
Red stems and marked leaves
Persicaria maculosa
Polygonaceae
Persicaria, Redleg
June to September
It is found throughout the country except for parts of the
Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Redshank
Redshank is a weed of cultivated soils and is common on
waste land, in cracks in pavements, on banks by the
edge of freshwater, and along roads, railways and paths.
It is a native, erect to sprawlling annual herb growing up to
75cm.
It can grow as a single plant or in large patches.
Flowers are in terminal or lateral pink spikes.
Individual unopened flowers resemble pink beads.
Open flowers are white with 2 white styles and stigmas
and 6-9 white stamens and anthers.
Fruits are triangular nuts.
Stems are red, with swallen nodes.
Leaves are lanceolate with a dark mark like a finger-
shaped blood stain, which has variously been attributed
to Christ's blood from the Cross, and the place where
either the Devil or the Virgin Mary touched the leaf.
Previous page: Red Bartsia
Next page: Red-veined Dock
Redshank growing in a crack
in pavement
Growing unimpeded on waste land
Terminal flower spike
Flower - 2 stigmas and 6 stamens
Terminal and lateral flower spikes
Red stems and marked leaves
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