Japanese Knotweed | Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA)

Fallopia japonica

Characteristics

Japanese knotweed, a terrestrial herbaceous plant that is in the Polygonaceae family, invades along rivers, streams, roads, and in disturbed areas or where dumped. It prefers full sun and rich soils but is able to grow in a wide variety of conditions.

typically grows to be 10 feet tall with stems that are hollow like bamboo
spade-shaped leaves with pointed tips and flat bases that are smaller than the leaves of invasive giant knotweed
produces flower stalks that contain numerous clusters of small green-white flowers
develops a massive rhizome system below ground that allows it to spread rapidly and be very difficult to remove
broken off stem and root fragments are able to re-root and create new plants

Note: Can hybridize with invasive giant knotweed and produce a species called Bohemian knotweed.

For more information visit Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN).

Japanese knotweed leaves and flower — Japanese knotweed leaf and flower

Image credit: Sigrid Resh

Japanese knotweed flowering in the fall

Image credit: Sigrid Resh

KISMA Management Practices

Japanese knotweed is very difficult to remove from an area after it has been introduced because of how aggressive it is. It’s able to spread through rhizomes and stem/root fragments. When managing this species, make sure to remove all plant material from soil contact to prevent re-rooting. KISMA has been managing a quarter-acre of Japanese knotweed area in Kearsarge for the past four years with very positive results (see images below).

cover portions of the knotweed patch with tarps or repurposed carpet pieces to reduce photosynthesis and to act as safe spots to place removed plant material to dry in the sun
repeatedly pull or cut aboveground knotweed plant material every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season over multiple years
remove plant material in a safe way by placing on cement or on tarp/carpet to dry in the sun or bag the plant material
do not allow any plant fragments to come in contact with the soil
revisit the site every year afterward to be certain that the knotweed was completely removed

Note: The purpose of this removal strategy is to starve the rhizome system of any carbohydrates that would be gained by photosynthesis and will require multiple years of surveillance and removal of plant material to be successful.

Japanese knotweed drying on pavement after cutting — Japanese knotweed drying on the pavement after cutting

Image credit: Sigrid Resh

Japanese knotweed piled on tarp to dry away from contact with soil — Japanese knotweed piled on a tarp to dry away from contact with soil

Image credit: Sigrid Resh

Examples of Areas Managed for Giant Knotweed around KISMA

Kearsarge site of Japanese knotweed infestation in 2017 when treatments started — Kearsarge infestation of Japanese knotweed in 2017 when treatments started

Kearsarge infestation of Japanese knotweed in 2020 after 4 years of treatments — Kearsarge infestation of Japanese knotweed in 2020 **after** 4 years of treatments

Native Alternatives

Some popular native alternatives to Japanese knotweed are those from the dogwood genus (Cornus spp.), such as red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). These are beautiful native plants that provide a habitat for native pollinators and other native wildlife. Other native understory species are also great alternatives as they can help prevent knotweed spread by filling out areas knotweed could grow in.