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The "Mamakono-shirinugui" (Persicaria senticosa) belongs to Polygonaceae (the Knotweed family). It is an annual herb that is native throughout Japan, as well as Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and China. This herb grows in forest edges, along roadsides and wateredges, and can reach 1-2 m long. The stems are quadrangular and they have downward acute spines. The leaves are deltoid and bear spines on the abaxial sides. The stipules are reniform-round and clasp the stem. The small pale rose-pink flowers bloom from May to October. The corolla is non-petaled and has petaloid sepals. In Taiwanese Chinese, it is called "刺蓼" and "刺蓼" (ci liao) in Chinese.
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