Giant Knotweed
ExplorePlants
Giant Knotweed
reynoutria sachalinensis
Giant Knotweed is a tall, leafy plant that can grow up to 10 feet high! Its huge green leaves provide shade and are fun to explore in nature.
Habitat: Giant Knotweed typically lives in riverbanks, wetlands, and disturbed areas.
Appearance
The Giant Knotweed is a towering plant with hollow, bamboo-like stems, often red-speckled, and large, heart-shaped leaves. It features creamy-white to greenish-white flowers clustered in frothy sprays. Its immense size and thick stems make it visually distinct from most other herbaceous plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusReynoutria
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It was brought to Europe from far-off East Asia in the 1800s.
Its strong roots can even push through cracks in concrete and pavement!
People sometimes eat its young shoots, which taste a bit like rhubarb.
This plant can grow over 3 meters tall in just one summer!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Growth Spurt
Giant Knotweed can grow incredibly fast, reaching towering heights quickly to outcompete other plants for sunlight and space.
Ability
Super Spreader Roots
Giant Knotweed has a deep, spreading root system that helps it access water and nutrients and quickly colonize new areas.
Ability
Fragmented Rebirth
Giant Knotweed can re-grow from tiny stem or root fragments, making it incredibly tough to remove once established.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-400 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Bees collect nectar from its late-season flowers.
eats
Black bean aphid
Aphis fabae
Aphids feed on the sap from its leaves and stems.
eats
Knotweed flea beetle
Psylliodes chalcomera
Beetles feed on the leaves and stems of knotweed.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Asian KnotweedSakhalin Knotweed
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Giant Knotweed?
200-400 cm
How wide does Giant Knotweed spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Giant Knotweed?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Giant Knotweed bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Giant Knotweed edible?
Yes
Is Giant Knotweed toxic?
None
What is Giant Knotweed's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Giant Knotweed pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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