Giant knotweed leaves and stems
Image credit: Sigrid Resh
Fallopia sachalinensis
Characteristics
Giant knotweed, a terrestrial herbaceous plant in the Polygonaceae family, invades along waterways, roads, forest openings, and disturbed sites where dumped. Key characteristics of this invasive species include:
- grows to be 12 feet tall with hollow stems resembling bamboo
- has broad heart-shaped to spade-shaped leaves that are larger than your hand, and also larger than the similar leaves of invasive Japanese knotweed
- produces flower stalks that contain numerous clusters of small, green-white flowers
- develops a massive rhizome system below ground that allows it to spread rapidly and be very difficult to remove
- broken off stem and root fragments are able to re-root and create new plants
Note: Can hybridize with Japanese knotweed and produce a species called Bohemian knotweed.
For more information visit Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN).
Tall stem of giant knotweed
Image credit: Sigrid Resh
Root segment of giant knotweed
Image credit: Sigrid Resh
KISMA Management Practices
Giant knotweed is very difficult to remove from an area after it has been introduced because of how aggressive it is. It’s able to spread through rhizomes and stem/root fragments, as well as seed production. Make sure to remove all plant material to prevent re-rooting. KISMA has been managing a half-acre knotweed area along the Portage trail and at the Quilt House for the past four years with very positive results (see images below).
- cover portions of the knotweed plant with tarps or repurposed carpet pieces to reduce photosynthesis and to act as safe spots to place removed plant material to dry in the sun
- repeatedly pull or cut aboveground knotweed plant material every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season over multiple years
- remove plant material in a safe way by placing on cement or on tarp/carpet to dry in sun or bag the plant material
- do not allow any fragments to come in contact with the soil
- revisit the site every year to be certain that the knotweed was completely removed
Note: The purpose of this removal strategy is to starve the rhizome system of any carbohydrates that would be gained through photosynthesis and will require multiple years of surveillance and removal of plant material to be successful.
Use of carpet to cover knotweed with re-sprouts that need to be cut
Image credit: Sigrid Resh
Giant knotweed piled on tarp
Image credit: Sigrid Resh
Examples of Areas Managed for Giant Knotweed around KISMA
Native Alternatives
Popular alternatives to giant knotweed include native dogwoods, like red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), since they are beautiful and provide for native pollinators and other native wildlife. Also, understory plants like native ferns, bushes, and trees are great alternatives because they fill up space knotweed could use to spread while also providing for native wildlife.