American jumpseed

American jumpseed (Persicaria virginiana) is in the knotweed family family (Polygonaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,220 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.

Nationally it blooms mainly from July to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph American jumpseed: observations by month (U.S.)

About American jumpseed

Persicaria virginiana, also called jumpseed, Virginia knotweed or woodland knotweed is a North American species of smartweed within the buckwheat family. It is unusual as a shade-tolerant member of a mostly sun-loving genus. Jumpseed is a perennial, named for its seeds which can "jump" several feet when a ripe seedpod is disturbed.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

American jumpseed by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (knotweed family)

California BuckwheatEriogonum fasciculatum

Low SmartweedPersicaria longiseta

Desert TrumpetEriogonum inflatum

Sulfur BuckwheatEriogonum umbellatum

Naked BuckwheatEriogonum nudum

Japanese knotweedReynoutria japonica

American bistortBistorta bistortoides

Arrow-Leaved TearthumbPersicaria sagittata

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ