knotgrass; Polygonum aviculare
A common weed found along roadsides and paths; the name literally means 'road willow'.
A lot of knotgrass is growing by the roadside.
Katakana spelling is common for this plant name; usually written in kana.
Kanji form is rare; the plant is almost always written in kana.
The name ミチヤナギ (道柳) literally means 'road willow', likely from its willow-like leaves and roadside habitat. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.