Non Native Plants That Hold Powerful Properties

  Japanese knotweed ( Fallopia japonica ) is a shrub that grows very tall and I've seen it mostly in shady areas where I live on the south coast of Long Island.     It starts out inconspicuous often under fallen leaves and if left unchecked, soon becomes a thicket and a monoculture of tightly growing shrubs that form a hedgerow.   Once here, it often stays unless it is treated for many years with a brush killer.  But wait a minute!   In all living things, there's always the good, the bad, and the ugly.  And Japanese Knotweed has many advantageous and beneficious aspects.   The roots of the plant are used to make beverages in Korea. Other culinary uses include the preparation of salads and soups.                                    rhizomes of Japanese Knotweed                      ...

    knotweed:  Its not….weed, is it now?  Yes it's a weed, and extremely invasive.  And do people treat it with glyphosate to eradicate it?  You bet they do. It can be a curse on your property, even devalue your land's worth. The  US government calls it a noxious weed as it  spreads by underground rhizome (the underground parts grow roots) and each little piece, if broken off, can form a new plant. It can take over open lands, and crowd out native flora. Do you want a monoculture of bamboo looking jointed stems that can grow under your foundation? Originally from Asia, in Japan it is known as itadori, the tigers stick, and in fact once it matures, it is woody and looks like sticks. In March & April it shoots up out of the ground and is tender. It reminds me of the asparagus shoots that grow on my north side of the house.  The Japanese bamboo (thanks to my neighbor) grow quickly & you have to know where they are especially if covered b...