dotted smartweed, Persicaria punctata

Dotted smartweed or knotweed or waterpepper was the goal on the outing when I found yesterday's shot of blazing star. So it was a good trip all around even if this one isn't as eye catching. Each of these little flowers is less than a quarter inch. One of the keys that identifies this is the peppery taste of the foliage. Take a nibble, wait a few seconds, and then you'll know if you got a plant in the waterpepper group. 'Smartweed' may also reflect that feature, rather than any hope the plant will educate us. Dotted knotweed grows around water in every state except AK, AL, HI, NC, NV, SC, and UT, and in QC(L). Hayes State Park, Lenawee Co MI, 8/29/20. Knotweed family, Polygonaceae.