Common names: Virginia knotweed, jumpseed

Scientific names: Polygonum virginianum (Autenoron virginianum, Tovara virginiana, T. virginianum)

Seasons of significant use: summer (for Polygonum spp. complex)

Characteristics: Native, annual or perennial , warm season forb to 5.0 feet. Stems erect or reclining, often naked below; leaves alternate, simple, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, stipulate; stipules form a papery sheath around nodes called an ocrea, margins bristly or ciliate; inflorescence is a raceme, usually terminal but sometimes axillary in upper leaves, wandlike, spikelike, interrupted; tepals greenish-white or sometimes pinkish, 4-parted to near middle, fruit is a biconvex, lens shaped achene. Flowers June-October.

Plant community type: Wooded bottomlands.

More Plant Photos and Descriptions:
Appendix C: Plants by Common Name
Appendix C: Plants by Scientific Name
Appendix C: Plants Listed by Family