Terrestrial invasive species

Nature

Most of these invasive plant factsheets are created from the booklet Minnesota invasive non-native terrestrial plants, an identification guide for resource managers.

Check the additional resources and herbicides table for more information.

Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)


 

Description:

Appearance: Shrub-like, arching perennial herbaceous plant, over 10' high, reddish-brown stems, smooth, stout hollow and swollen at the joint where the leaf meets the stem.

Leaves: Alternate broadly oval and pointed at the tip, about 6" long, 3 - 4" wide.

Flowers: Greenish-white, branched clusters which grow from leaf axils, near the end of stems, blooming in late summer.

Fruit: Small winged, carry triangular, shiny and very small seeds.

Roots: Long, stout horizontal stems growing below the soil surface, called rhizomes, forming roots and producing new plants allow the plant to spread vegetatively as well.

Ecological Threat:

  • Japanese knotweed spreads primarily vegetatively to form dense thickets that suppress native vegetation.
  • It can pose a significant threat to riparian areas, such as disturbed stream sides, lakeshores and other low lying areas, where it can rapidly colonize. It tolerates full shade, high temperatures, high salinity and drought.
  • It is currently occurring from Maine to Minnesota and south to Louisiana and scattered in midwestern and western states. It was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s for ornamental purposes and erosion control.

 

Control Methods:

Mechanical

Digging plants is effective for small infestations and in sensitive areas

Pulling of juvenile plants

Chemical

Cut stem treatment with glyphosate or triclopyr

Foliar spray in large single species populations

 

Native Substitutes:

Additional Resources