Japanese Knotweed

Photo by Dr. John Meade, weed scientist emeritus
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension

Japanese Knotweed is also called Japanese bamboo and Mexican bamboo. The bamboo comes about because the stem becomes woody and has enlarged nodes similar to those of a bamboo fishing pole. Once introduced it spreads rapidly by rhizomes and is extremely competitive. It also is extremely strong in that it can push through macadem. There is a related plant, sakhalin knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense), which has much larger leaves but is much less of a problem.

Additional Images

• Large Image of Japanese Knotweed