Can someone tell me what veg this is?

[scrummyyummy]

This has come up in my veg patch and I don't know what it is. Please can someone tell me what it is? I think it's some sort of spinach but I've checked on the web and I can't find any with the dark patch in the middle of the leaves.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2uqhkdf.jpg

[woofgang]

I think that's a weed, I get similar growing round the edges of my patio.

[starone]

I wouldn't care to eat that unless I knew a bit more about it. If you didn't plant it or seed it yourself it is likely to be a weed and could be poisonous.

[scrummyyummy]

Do you think so? I was hoping to eat it tonight!

[chrissa1]

I think I just did my back in pulling it out of my beds.

[askyourgran]

It doesn't look very veg-like, I wouldn't eat that. smoke it maybe.

[starone]

Well, you can chance it if you like, but don't blame me if you end up having your stomach pumped.

[scrummyyummy]

I don't think I'll chance it! I don't want to end up hallucinating! Thank you!

[ulysses100]

It looks like a plant called Redshank, Persicaria maculosa

[scrummyyummy]

well, I'm new to veg planting and I bought various seeds, some are mixed salads from one packet.

[rowanwitch]

It looks like a knotweed...not the big japanese one but a smaller type...they used to be polygonum but I think they are all persicarias now a weed....

[scrummyyummy]

I know one packet was mixed oriental vegetables but having googled the names ulysses has mentioned, they do look like those weeds!

[Prudie]

I agree with ulysses and rowan - Spotted Knotweed is one of its names as is Redshank. It's a weed.

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks everyone. I've now gone off this bowl of 'salad' I've picked!!