Fallopia japonica (Polygonum cuspidatum)

From RoguesGallery

Legend for Species Pages

[edit] Japanese Bamboo, J. Knotweed

• Moss, Flora of Alberta – No
• Global Invasive Species Database – Yes[1]
• NatureServe Rank – High
• Haber, Upland – No
• Haber, Wetland – No
• CWF, Status & Invasive Range – High, BC, MB, ON, QC, NF, NS
• Alberta Revegetation Guidelines – No
• The Nature Conservancy – No
• CBCN – No
• AB Weed – Prohibited Noxious

[edit] Remarks

Perennial herb, in BC occurs in open Aspen and White Spruce stands, not reported in adjacent states, but US NPS reports that it occurs in Alaska and Oregon, in addition to many eastern states.

Anecdotal reports of this species found in urban planings in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada (2011), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (2007), Fernie, British Columbia, Canada (2010), and Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada (2010) from personal correspondence). --Kelly Cooley 15:41, 10 February 2012 (CST)

More information in Wikipedia [2] Fact Sheet from the US National Park Service: [3]

Edible: young rhizomes, gathered before leaves are full, and young stems elongated up to 20 cm are good boiled or roasted. Eaten in large amounts it may cause photosensitization. May also be laxative.

Photo: XID Services

Photo: XID Services

Knotty and leathery brown rhizome ( specimen collected by a citizen; plants growing wild in one backyard in central Edmonton)

Bamboo-like stem (specimen collected by a citizen; plants growing wild in one backyard in central Edmonton)

specimen collected by a citizen; plants growing wild in one backyard in central Edmonton

broadly oval to somewhat triangular leaves, pointed at the tip (specimen collected by a citizen; plants growing wild in one backyard in central Edmonton

Photo: XID Services

[edit] References

Szczawinski & Turner, Edible Garden Weeds of Canada, ISBN 0-88902-752-8