“Persicaria Perfoliata” [石実皮 Ishimikawa] woodblock print by Kyosen Kawasaki

“Persicaria perfoliata”, also called “Mile-a-minute weed” due to its invasive nature, is found throughout Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa and is easily recognizable by its light green leaves shaped like an equilateral triangle. Its small white flowers get pollinated between July and October forming spikes of blue, berry-like fruits.

The Japanese name “Ishimikawa” 石実皮 is derived from the excellent medicinal properties of a plant collected in the village of Iwamigawa near Osaka, and from the fact that the skin of the fruit looks like a stone (石ishi ).