Jumpseed

Jumpseed

Polygonum virginianum

Jumpseed is a member of the Buckwheat family - Polygonaceae, which also includes the Knotweeds, Smartweeds, Docks and, believe it or not, Rhubarb!  If you look at the flowerhead of a Rhubarb that has bolted, you can believe that it's a big fat Buckwheat.

I've never been attacked by a Jumpseed, but presumably the seeds pop out at some point like a Touch-Me-Not, which shoots out its seeds when the pod is perfectly ripe and you touch it.

The plants are very distinctive, easy to identify




The lower leaves are rather large and quickly get smaller as they go up the stem