But is it Japanese knotweed…?

Lucion Group

7th November, 2017

Japanese knotweed, sometimes called Reynoutria japonica, Fallopia japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum, is known for its trail of destruction and costly consequences. Therefore, it is important to know that there are several other less harmful that are commonly mistaken for Japanese knotweed. This article will help you understand if it is bindweed or Japanese knotweed in your garden or on the walls of your property, or something totally different.

Knotweed stems are not woody, so anything with stems that resemble twigs that snap or can be stripped is unlikely to be knotweed. It can also stand on its own, whereas some of the similar weeds tend to be weaker in stature. Japanese knotweed leaves are shield-shaped, sometimes appearing heart-shaped. Japanese knotweed is not always easy to identify, so it is commonly mistaken for several other plants.

So what are the other plants that are mistaken for Japanese knotweed? Here we list some of the more common ones.

Dogwood

Dogwood can generally be found in wooded areas and hedgerows. Like Japanese knotweed, dogwood was introduced as an ornamental plant, and the resemblance to knotweed is largely due to their spade or heart-shaped leaves. Dogwood leaves grow opposite each other along their woody stems.

Bindweed

With similar heart-shaped leaves to Japanese knotweed and dogwood, bindweed also has an aggressive and speedy growth pattern, covering large areas of space in a short amount of time. However, whereas Japanese knotweed will grow over the top of other plants, bindweed will entwine itself to surrounding plants.

Russian Vine

Biologically, Russian Vine is closest in relation to a Japanese knotweed plant, sharing the same genus, leaf-shape and fast growth rate. However, it grows similarly to bindweed, twisting itself around nearby plants or structures and is often used as a screening plant for fences.

Bamboo

Bamboo stems resemble knotweed stems with clear nodes and can grow as tall as knotweed, if not taller. Bamboo can also be very invasive and, as the fastest growing plants in the world, they spread quickly to unwanted areas, becoming quite difficult to treat with herbicides. However, where knotweed stems can snap easily, bamboo stems are very hard. The long and slender bamboo leaves are also completely different in appearance to knotweed.

Japanese knotweed removal

Identifying and disposing of Japanese knotweed can be difficult, so it is important that you receive specialist advice to ensure your property is safe and the plant can be properly removed if necessary.

Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions in the UK, particularly in manmade habitats like roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings, and spoil tips that are made up of waste material from mining or quarrying. If you discover Japanese knotweed on your land or property, you must stop it from spreading off your property immediately.

You can prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed in multiple ways, but a specialist must do this. They can either spray the knotweed with chemicals – but only approved herbicide treatments – bury it or burn it. If the knotweed is treated with chemicals, you will have to respray it, as it takes at least three years to treat Japanese knotweed.

How Lucion can help with Japanese knotweed

At Lucion, we offer invasive weed surveys and management, including for Japanese knotweed, and can provide detailed reports on species identification, extent of infestation, and recommended control measures.