What can be mistaken for Japanese Knotweed? Japanese Knotweed has some very distinctive features, however a selection of other plants and weeds share similar elements. In the summer months, the Knotweed stem will be fully grown – which will be hollow with distinctive purple speckles. Additionally, the leaves will be large, green in colour – these are shield shaped. Alongside these characteristics, the stems can reach a height of 3 to 4 meters. Growing at an impressive rate of 10cm a day!
Firstly, Houttuynia is a perennial plant. Alike to Japanese Knotweed it has heart shaped leaves and small white flowers. However, there is a key difference regarding to the flowers. They display a yellowish spike centrally forming in the white flower. Likewise it can spread easily through it rhizomes. However it can only grow up to 30cm in height. In comparison to Japanese Knotweeds impressive 3-4 metres!
Dogwood is often misidentified for Japanese Knotweed, due to the similar leaf shape to Japanese Knotweed and its dense green foliage. However, if you look closely at the leaf formation you will notice that the Dogwood leaves grow opposite each other. Which is unlike Japanese Knotweed – which alternate on each side of the stem.
Like Japanese Knotweed, dogwood was introduced as an ornamental plant. The resemblance to Knotweed is great due to leaf appearance – spade/heart-shaped leaves. However, common dogwood leaves grow directly opposite each other along woody stems, rather than alternating along hollow bamboo like stem.
Undoubtedly, Bindweed is a very irritating weed. It is capable of climbing through your favourite garden plants/shrubs. Entwining itself in their branches, stems and leaves. Furthermore, this specific weed is very destructive and will wrap its thin stems around anything that is nearby! Alike to Japanese Knotweed, Bindweed has large heart-shaped leaves and a quick growing rate.
To compare, bindweed is a climbing plant whereas, Knotweed is a freestanding plant which doesn’t need any form of support. Additionally, the plants both have heart shaped leaves, however Bindweed has lobes either side of the stalk – which Knotweed doesn’t.
Biologically, Russian Vine is perhaps the most alike to Japanese Knotweed being in the same fallopia family of plants. Similar to Bindweed, Russian Vine entwines itself around other plants/structures. However, Japanese Knotweed doesn’t possess this behaviour.
Russian Vine has similar white flowers, which is a distinguishing feature of Japanese Knotweed. However Russian Vine flowers have a slight green tinge to them and no purple markings!
Free Identification – Send us a picture of the suspected plant and we will get back to you by email within 24 working hours. If you have any questions, we are available via phone to answer any of your questions.
Japanese Knotweed Site Survey – Our surveyors will visit your property to complete a site survey within 48 hours of your initial enquiry. Following this, we will then provide you with a detailed survey report that can be presented to a mortgage company.
Japanese Knotweed Management Plan – Identifies the most appropriate treatment or removal method for your case of Japanese knotweed. This also includes a treatment schedule, with a breakdown of all treatment or removal costs involved.
Treatment or Removal – We provide a variety of different treatment methods to suit each individual site and client. If you own a residential property, we usually recommend a herbicide treatment. Alternatively, if you are a commercial entity, we suggest a full excavation of the site to allow you to continue with your developments plans without delay.
If you are unsure if you have Japanese Knotweed or not or if you need more information on how to manage it. Contact us to book in for a site survey. We will be happy to help in eradicating this invasive plant.
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