Wildflower - Japanese Knotweed

The Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) along Joyce Road is in bloom. As its name implies, Japanese knotweed is native to eastern Asia. It was imported to England in the mid 1800s as an ornamental. In the late 1800s, it was brought to the United States and was planted in gardens and used for erosion control along roadways and embankments.



In the U.S. and Europe, Japanese knotweed is widely considered an invasive species or weed. It is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.



A close-up view of the very small (1/8 inch wide) flowers of the Japanese Knotweed.



Japanese knotweed is a member of the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) and the flowers are valued by some beekeepers as an important source of nectar for honeybees. Japanese knotweed yields a monofloral honey, like a mild-flavored version of buckwheat honey.