Polygonum cognatum, commonly called Indian knotgrass[2] or madimak (from Turkish madımak[3]), is an edible weedy creeping perennial herb in the genus Polygonum, frequently eaten by people of Turkey.

Polygonum cognatum is a perennial, prostrate or ascending branched herb, 15–30 cm long with a thick stout root stock.

[4] Irano-Turanian Region or Iran-Turan Plant Geography Region element, grows between 760–5600 meters elevation on rocky and drier slopes; distribution: Central to Western Asia, Turkey, Caucasia (Georgia), Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The madimak is one of the widely known traditional edible plants in Turkey particularly Central Anatolia Region.

To be able to compensate increasing demand easily and supply the plant to the markets, farmers started cultivating madimak in Central Anatolia.