[f. KNOT sb.1 + WEED sb.]

1

  † a.  Lyte’s name for Knawel (Scleranthus annuus). Obs. b. Name for various species of Centaurea (Knapweed, etc.), from the knobby ‘heads.’ c. Name for various species of Polygonum.

2

1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, I. lxvii. 97. The base Almaignes cal it knawel, that is to say, knot weede.

3

1827.  Clare, Sheph. Cal., 49.

        They pull the little blossom threads
From out the knotweed’s button heads.

4

1884.  Miller, Plant-n., Knotweed,… Alpine, Polygonum alpinum.… Amphibious, Polygonum amphibium.

5