Polygonum aviculare or Common Knotgrass is a plant related to buckwheat and dock. It is also called birdweed, pigweed and lowgrass. It is an annual found in fields and wasteland, with white flowers from June to October.
Polygonum aviculare is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects, self.The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
A new naphthoquinone, 6-methoxyplumbagin was isolated from the acetone extracts of Polygonum aviculare. Its structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic methods. The known compounds sitosterol, oleanolic acid and 5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxyflavanone were also obtained from this natural source.