Japanese knotweed, Mexican-bamboo
Fallopia japonica

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A vigorous herb which forms suckers. It keeps growing from year to year. It has underground stems or rhizomes. The leaves are oval. The leaf stalks are short. The flowers are small and creamy-white. They are in showy panicles. The fruit has 2 or 3 angles and is like a nut.

There are 7-9 Fallopia species. They grow in temperate places. It can be seriously invasive. It has high levels of anti-oxidants and probably anti-cancer and anti-aging properties.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It needs well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 3-8. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, China, Europe, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, North America, Romania, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or division.

Its other names

Local names

Fleece Flower, Japanska kiselica, Japonski dresnik, Meigetu-So

Synonyms

Fallopia japonica var. compacta J. Bailey; Pleuropterus cuspidatus (Siebold & Zucc.) H. Gross; Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc.; Polygonum japonicum; Polygonum reynoutria Makino; Reynoutria henryi Nakai; Reynoutria japonica Houtt.; Tiniaria japonica (Houtt.) Hedberg;