Dear Editor,
Japanese knotweed seems innocent at first. In the spring the reddish, asparagus-like stems poke through the earth and little leaves stretch in the sunshine. While Japanese knotweed looks to be a friendly backyard plant, the reality is more sinister.
Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant that can spread rapidly and choke out native plants. The underground stems, or rhizomes, can reach more than 10 feet deep and extend outward more than 20 feet. It has been known to grow through pavement and cause problems with building foundations. A single inch of rhizome or stem can sprout an entire new plant. Although some bees and butterflies may visit the flowers, an area infested with knotweed doesn’t provide the diverse native plant community that most wildlife need.
Keep your eye out for Japanese knotweed’s bamboo-like stems, spade-shaped leaves, and small white flowers. It’s very difficult to eliminate, but careful herbicide use over several years can be successful. Most importantly, please do not spread Japanese knotweed or plant it in your yard. For more information about Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants, please visit CWIPartnership.org or contact the Central Wisconsin Invasives Partnership coordinator at CWIPartnership@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Asa Plonsky
Regional Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator
Central Wisconsin Invasives Partnership Coordinator
Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.
