Scientific Name – Fallopia japonica
Description – Herbaceous perennial. Has hollow stems, resembling bamboo, with distinct raised nodes. May grow to 10-13 ft each season, but smaller plants can also be seen sprouting through cracks in the pavement. Leaves are broad and oval with a truncated base, 3.0-5.5 inches long and 2.0-5.0 inches wide. Flowers are small and cream or white, 2.5-6.0 inches long, arranged on short stalks along a common axis. Flowers bloom in late summer and early autumn. Fruits are triangle-shaped and winged. Seeds are triangular, dark brown, shiny and about 1/10 in. long. Spreads and re-grows by seed or through growth of its rhizomes.
History – Native to East Asia in Japan, China and Korea. Introduced into Great Britain by 1825 and arrived in North America by the late 1800’s. Now found in about 40 States in US and six Canadian provinces. Also invades New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania.
Use – Forages and scavenges (persons or animals) eat young shoots growing at the tips of larger plants, and unfurled leaves on the stalks. Crunchy and tender, it can be raw or cooked. Said to taste like rhubarb and is a major source of resveratrol and Vitamin C
Harm – Very difficult plant to control. Can tolerate heat, drought, salt water and deep shade. Has been on the decimation list for more than 30 years. Can only be disposed of at landfills licensed to handle it. In Australia, it is illegal to have this species grow on your property. Costs 2-3 billion dollars a year to remove and eradicate.
Vermont Invasive Species Project – Thetford 