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vicjg

Mystery plant and I thought I knew plants?!

vicjg
14 years ago

Hey all,

Got this from a neighbor and it has grown 4 feet in a little over 2 weeks. He is a landscape architect and plant nut like me but he doesn't know what it is. I am hoping it is not some kind of invasive bamboo.. Please help. I hope it's not a monster?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37929984@N05/?saved=1

Comments (4)

  • weedwoman
    14 years ago

    It's a monster. Japanese Knotweed, aka Japanese Bamboo, etc. Polygonum cuspidatum. I have a pretty relaxed attitude towards weeds, in general, but this one is really bad news. Pull it up now. It will get a lot bigger than 4 feet before it's done.

    There are a couple garden versions, but if your friend didn't buy it from a nursery, it's probably the wild one.

    WW

    Here is a link that might be useful: Polygonum cuspidatum, Japanese Knotweed

  • vicjg
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Ugh...was afraid of that. I will destroy it and plant something else. Thanks!!

  • efine50
    14 years ago

    That looks just like my Mexican clumping bamboo. It's definitely not invasive but the clump gets larger. Over 5 years it's grown from a single plant to a clump about 2 foot around. Mine is from a nursery...called Crimson Beauty. I love it. Flowers go from white to fiery red then back to white. Maybe you could try potting it and see what it does??

  • offplumb
    14 years ago

    leaves are definitely NOT bamboo.
    it does look a lot like japanese knotweed - a true monster around here (Northeast/mid atlantic).
    your younger stems don't have the Japanese knotweed look though - they appear straighter.
    I'm not very familiar with it, but you could have Polygonum sachalinense - Giant Knotweed.
    it's the southern version of this nasty bit-o-business.

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