Japanese Knotweed

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A Haiku

“Fragile white lace sprigs
Cascading across green leaves ~
A force of nature.”

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From the Slocan Valley in British Columbia all the way to Nova Scotia I have come across this invasive plant. It seems to grow well in a warmer climates. In our neighbourhood I witnessed its rapid growth from early spring till now and decided to do a little research. The haiku above was inspired in combination by the images I captured and the information I gleaned:

Japanese Knotweed is an aggressive semi-woody perennial plant that is native to eastern Asia. In the 1800’s it was introduced to North America as an ornamental species and also planted for erosion control. It has since spread throughout the United States and Canada. Japanese Knotweed is often mistaken for bamboo; however it is easily distinguished by its broad leaves and its ability to survive winters in Canada. Japanese knotweed is especially persistent due to its vigorous root system, which can spread nearly 10 metres from the parent stem and grow through concrete and asphalt. This invader is very persistent and once it becomes established, is incredibly difficult to control.

In Canada, Japanese Knotweed is established from Ontario to Newfoundland and is also found in British Columbia. In Ontario, it is mostly established in southern and central areas of the province where it mostly grows in gardens, along roadsides and near old buildings or former building sites.

from http://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/japanese-knotweed/