Persicaria virginiana
Woodland jumpseed
 
Persicaria virginiana, commonly called woodland jumpseed, is a shade-tolerant perennial that thrives in the dappled understory where many plants struggle. It forms tidy clumps of oval leaves, often marked with a dark chevron, and sends up slender, wiry stems topped with tiny white to reddish flowers that dance above the foliage in late summer. True to its name, the seeds have a playful tendency to “jump” when disturbed, adding a small but memorable detail to its natural history. At 2 to 4 feet tall, it prefers moist, well-drained soils and spreads modestly, making it a reliable groundcover for woodland gardens. Woodland jumpseed may not be a showstopper, but it offers quiet ecological value while lending a refined, airy texture to shaded landscapes.
 
photo by Ayotte, Gilles