Tear-thumb.Polygonum sagittatum.
Found blossoming on swampy ground, and along ditches, from July to October.
The weak-fibred, 4-angled, stalk, armed on the angles with sharp saw-toothed prickles, that point downwards, is green in color.
The long arrow-shaped leaves have short foot-stems, and grow singly, at long intervals; they have entire edges, and a smooth surface, though the back of the midrib is set with small prickles; they are fine in texture, and of a dark green color.
The little 5-parted flowers, white, or rose colored, grow in small close heads, on the ends of smooth foot-stems, from the angles of the upper leaves.
The leaves are pretty in shape and color, though so far apart as to make small impression on the passer-by; the lopping stalk supports itself on the surrounding vegetation by means of its backward pointing prickles; it turns a russet-red in autumn. A shining, brown, 3-angled seed is developed within the long-lasting flower.