KNOT GRk^'^.—Poh/(;onum aviculare. 



Class OoTANDRiA. Order Trigtnia. Nat. Orel. Polygone^. 

 Persicaria Tribe. 



There is not in all our land a plant more 

 common than this ; but having little beauty to 

 recommend it, it is little regarded ; yet as the 

 poet says — 



" By the lone quiet grave, 

 In the Tvild hedgerow the Knot-grass is seen, 

 Down in the rural lane, 

 Or on the verdant plain, 

 Everywhere humble, and everywhere green." 



Its small pinkish-white flowers are seated closely 

 on its stem from i\Iay till September, but are 

 redder and brighter during the height of sum- 

 mer than in earlier or later seasons. It is a 

 useful little plant, for thousands of birds are 

 nourished by its seeds and young shoots, and 

 the caterpillar of the Knot Grass moth lives 

 chiefly upon it. Ancient writers attributed 

 to it many medicinal properties, and the well- 

 known fact that it is much relished by cattle, 

 won for it the praises of Milton and others 

 of our earlier poets. Shakspeare, however, 

 alludino; to its tano^lino: stem, which lies over 

 the ground, calls it the " Hindering Knot- 

 Grass." It is a very common plant in the 



