Persicaria maculosa aka Red Shank

Taxonomy

Persicaria maculosa, also known as Polygonum persicaria, is an annual plant in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. It is widespread across Eurasia, ranging from Iceland to Portugal and Japan. This plant, commonly called lady's thumb, spotted lady's thumb, Jesusplant, or redshank, is an introduced and invasive species in North America, where it was first observed in the Great Lakes region in 1843 and has since spread throughout the continent. Standing up to 1m tall, this annual plant has jointed stems and narrowly ovate green leaves with dark, arrowhead-shaped blotches at their centers. In mid-summer to early autumn, it produces dense upright spikes of small, deep pink buds that open into pale pink flowers. The flowers, arranged in tightly-packed elongated ellipsoidal groups, have a perianth consisting of fused petal-like lobes in a pale pink color. Inside the perianth, there are six white stamens, two fused carpels, and two styles. Although the stems are occasionally flushed with red, it is not always the case.

Common names

Red Shank, Lady's Thumb, Jesusplant

How to care for Red Shank

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Red Shank is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Red Shank should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

If you're planting Red Shank, you need to make sure you use a potting soil that can retain moisture. While the soil should still be able to drain well, it should contain plenty of organic matter like coco coir or sphagnum moss to help it stay moist and nourish the roots of your plants. This is especially important since Lady's Thumb is especially sensitive to dry soil. You can also add other amendments, such as compost, to help retain moisture and provide extra nutrients to your plants. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, throughout the growing season. With the right soil and proper care, your Red Shank will thrive!

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Red Shank prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Red Shank plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Red Shank has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia