Plant Identification Please

[fly258]

http://imgur.com/MVXc5.jpg
It has dark reddish stems which look similar to busy lizzy stems.
The black markings look like someone has dropped black paint on one side of the leaf then folded it in half
Hope this helps
Jim

[Prudie]

It looks a bit like a weed that has several names including Redshanks, Heartweed or Spotted Knotweed

[AlBags]

Hi Prudie ... X

Agree with you .. it is Spotted Knotweed. Persicaria maculosa.

Think yourself lucky it is not Japanese Knotweed!

[fly258]

Many thanks peeps, my friend is going to be most upset.
He has spent hours nurturing this plant, believing it was something really exotic.