Common Name: Japanese knotweed, Japanese bamboo, Mexican knotweed, Mexican bamboo
Scientific Name: Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. & Zucc., syn. Fallopia japonica
Family Name: Polygonaceae - Smartweed or Buckwheat Family

Identification Notes:

life cycle - perennial, reproducing by seed and extensive rhizomes

stems - upright, tall, smooth, noticeably jointed, hollow between nodes, reddish-purple mottling, ocrea (papery or membranous sheath) at nodes growth habit 1, growth habit 2, stems, hollow stems, winter habit, spring growth

leaves - alternate, ovate, tip pointed, square base leaves

flowers - greenish-white, unisexual, petals absent; panicle clusters, axillary flowers 1, flowers 2

seeds - triangular, 3 "wings" seeds

Images:

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