Redshank
Redshank growing in a crack in pavement
Growing unimpeded on waste land
Terminal flower spike
Individual flowers - 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
Individual flowers - 2 stigmas and 6 stamens
Terminal and lateral flower spikes
Red stems and marked leaves
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