This weedy species, introduced from Eurasia, has a very small white flower, which turns red when developing a seed (A,B,C,E). The experts are not very comfortable identifying this and similar species. Professors Kaul and Sutherland helped with the identification. This knotweed grows upright, not prostrate like most of the others. Image “E” shows the developing seed sticking out from the red sepals.
This particular species of knotweed has not been seen as often on the floodplain of Fontenelle Forest as other more prostrate Polygonaceae, most of which resemble mats, and grow especially on the trails. These plants are almost indestructible and undoubtedly were brought in with the flood in 2011.
Also known by some biologists as Polygonum aviculare complex.
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