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Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed - Persicaria virginiana


Family: Polygonaceae - Buckwheat family Genus Common Name: Smartweed Native Status: NativeDicot Annual Perennial Herb
Persicaria virginiana - Virginia Knotweed, Jumpseed. The Polygonum genus has recently been split into multiple genera, with about 30 species being reclassified in the genus Persicaria. I am following the lead of others in changing this from Polygonum virginianum to Persicaria virginiana. The genus common name for Persicaria is now "Smartweed"; Polygonum had been "Knotweed". The text imbedded in the photos will continue to reflect the old classification.

Persicaria virginiana is a late summer plant mostly of most woodlands, found in most of the eastern half of the United States.

Leave comments on Persicaria virginiana at this link.
Persicaria virginiana

Distribution of Persicaria virginiana in the United States and Canada:
USDA Map temporarily unavailable.
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2017. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 Jan 2025). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

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Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-11Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
This photo shows what most folks will notice first about this plant – the thin elongated raceme of tiny white knots, that may be up to 2 feet long, frequently as long or longer than the rest of the plant. There may be multiple racemes on a single plant.
Persicaria virginiana
Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Each blossom is greenish white to pale pink on a short pedicel. It has 4 tiny tepals each around 1/10th of an inch long.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Persicaria virginiana
Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The seed forms with the style remaning on it. Pressure on the style of a mature seed will cause it to jump off of the plant for dispersal, giving Virginia Knotweed another common name of Jumpseed.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Persicaria virginiana
Site: Reflection Riding, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2010-September-11Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The alternate leaves of Polygonum virginianum are on a short petioles. They are ovate with a somewhat elongated, sharp tip.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Persicaria virginiana
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Persicaria virginiana initially published on USWildflowers.com 2010-09-13; Updated 2015-06-24

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