Japanese Knotweed
We have a new (death) star in Beverly Shores. Japanese knotweed is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species. Newsweek describes the monster: “Growing up to 6.5 feet tall and 65 feet wide due to its tireless and unstoppable army of unseen roots, knotweed spreads out underground and forces its way up through every crack imaginable, in patios, concrete paths, and even in walls and floors.” Once you've got knotweed, it is nearly impossible to eradicate.
- What?
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Knotweed leaves
Knotweed has stems that look like bamboo and large (5 inch across) heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips. It has numerous, small ivory flowers in spikes at stem ends.
Knotweed stems
- Where?
- Japanese knotweed likes sun, so you are most like to find it along roads and stream or marsh banks and on the edges of woodlands. But once established, it will expand by its long rhizomes into shaded areas.
- Danger!
- According to the Michigan DNR, “Knotweed forms dense monocultures, with a thick layer of accumulated leaf and fibrous stem litter. A number of mechanisms contribute to its ability to exclude native species; light limitation, alteration in nutrient cycling and allelopathy—the ability to suppress growth of a potential plant competitor by releasing toxic or inhibiting chemicals.” Knotweed is prohibited in Michigan.
- Control
- Patience: Eradication will take several years and ongoing treatment. Don't mow—mowing just encourages knotweed to spread. It will require treatment year after year with glyphosate (RoundUp). You can weaken it with foliar spraying throughout the growing season, but the most effective treatment consists of painting cut stems with concentrated Roundup in August, when the flowers begin to appear. (More information)
Knotweed with flowers, late summer.
Knotweed (gray and brown stems) overwhelming bamboo (green stems) in Beverly Shores.
A large stand of knotweed across the street from the garden from which it escaped.
ERG's Japanese Knotweed Recorded Sightings in Beverly Shores
Instructions for reporting sightings will come here.
- Read Japanese Knotweed from Sand Tracks by Terry Bonace.
- Porter Co. Japanese knotweed recorded sightings, Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System.