Japanese Knotweed

Fallopia japonica

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.

Plant Data

Order:

Caryophyllales

Family:

Polygonaceae (Dock)

Type:

Flower

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Flower:

White, 5 petals

Small and white, 5 petals. Forming branched spikes at the bases of the upper leaves.

Fruit:

3-angled seeds contained within a white winged papery encasing. Ripens around September.

Leaves:

The leaves can grow as large as 40cm long and 25cm wide. They grow alternate along the stems and are heart-shaped, toothless and have pointed tips. The young leaves are dark red. As the leaves being to mature, they turn green but the red veins persist a little longer. Eventually the entire leaf turns green, including the veins. The stems on which the leaves emerge from are zigzagged, changing directions at every leaf node. The mature stems are hollow.

Maximum Size:

2 metres tall

Aroma:

Fragrant flowers which attract bees.

Other Names:

American Bamboo, Asian Knotweed, Asiatic Knotweed, Bombascus, Donkey Rhubarb, Elephant Ear's, False Bamboo, Fleeceflower, Gypsy Rhubarb, Hancock's Curse, Himalayan Fleece Vine, Itadori, Japanese Bamboo, Japanese Fleeceflower, Japanese Polygonum, Kontiki Bamboo, Mexican Bamboo, Monkey Fungus, Monkeyweed, Pea Shooters, Sally Rhubarb.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Habitats:

Farmland, meadows, riversides, roadsides, towns, wasteland, waterside, wetland, woodland.