Common Name: Virginia knotweed, jumpseedScientific Name: Tovara virginiana (L.) Raf. syn. Polygonum virginianum, Persicaria virginicaFamily Name: Polygonaceae - Smartweed or Buckwheat FamilyIdentification NotesLife Cyclenative perennial, reproducing by seed Stemsupright, smooth below, hairy above, jointed, ocrea (papery or membranous sheath) fringed with hairs at nodes Leavesalternate, oval to elliptic, entire, tip pointed, scantily haired, often with dark spot above in center, pubescent above and below or smooth below Flowers4-sepaled, greenish-white to pinkish-white; terminal (some axillary) racemes, loose, long, slender, flowers widely spaced