Asked on May 19, 2014

Anyone recognize this?

Jayme Renee
by Jayme Renee
My mother is law has lived at her house for 20 yrs and last summer is the first summer this has grown. She said it got huge! And now there are a ton of stalks growing again.
  177 answers
  • Lisa Crites Lisa Crites on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo?
  • Gayle Durozoy Gayle Durozoy on May 19, 2014
    bamboo?
  • Melanie Bell Melanie Bell on May 19, 2014
    Looks like bamboo
  • Laurie M Laurie M on May 19, 2014
    bamboo and it will spread like crazy dig it up and kill it off
  • R.s340418 R.s340418 on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo
  • Leafah Fish Leafah Fish on May 19, 2014
    Looks possibly like an Angel Wing Begonia
  • Tess Borgra Tess Borgra on May 19, 2014
    It is NOT bamboo
  • Ann Thorpe Ann Thorpe on May 19, 2014
    That's bamboo, and it is very invasive!
  • Ellen Reilly Ellen Reilly on May 19, 2014
    No.....I don't think it is bamboo. I don't know what it is.
  • Nickie Shifflett Nickie Shifflett on May 19, 2014
    the leaves look wrong for bamboo. I have bamboo on my property and the leaves are long and skinny
  • Chris Zucatti-Doyle Chris Zucatti-Doyle on May 19, 2014
    Yes, it is bamboo. Very invasive plant.
  • Martha Mothershed Martha Mothershed on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo leafs don't look like that.
  • Joyce G Joyce G on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo, did it up. You don't want that inyour garden, it can break through the foundation of your house.
  • Becky Forbis Becky Forbis on May 19, 2014
    What State Does She Live In?
  • LynnDee Bradley LynnDee Bradley on May 19, 2014
    Looks like Bird of Paradise
  • Andrea T Andrea T on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo needs to be dug up or it will shoot up everywhere
  • Huttohome Huttohome on May 19, 2014
    Its a money tree. LOL
  • Benita D Benita D on May 19, 2014
    I think it's bamboo also. Would love to know what was in the pot to begin with!
  • Kelly Fuerstenberg Kelly Fuerstenberg on May 19, 2014
    This looks like Japanese knotweed, an aggressive invasive species.
  • Becky Motley Becky Motley on May 19, 2014
    It is not bamboo, it is bird of paradise.
  • Mimi Schumaker Mimi Schumaker on May 19, 2014
    looks like bird of paradise, just what she said ^^
    • Pat S Pat S on May 19, 2014
      @Mimi Schumaker Not Bird of Paradise. (Strelitzia reginae)
  • Brenda Holmes Brenda Holmes on May 19, 2014
    I agree,,,bamboo doesnt have those leaves,,,but that stalk looks like it...The way she describes it being everywhere sounds like bamboo too...
  • Patty Cronin Patty Cronin on May 19, 2014
    It is definately not bamboo!
  • Cheryl Hedrick Cheryl Hedrick on May 19, 2014
    This is an Angel Trumpet,I'm almost positive. The leaves and flowers are toxic to animals.
  • Betty Walsh Betty Walsh on May 19, 2014
    It is Japanese knotweed and it is horrible to get rid of once it gets established. Dig it out asap would be my suggestion.
  • Joan Joan on May 19, 2014
    Take it to your local nursery to ID, or email a photo to your local Master Gardeners to ID. I do not think it is bamboo.
  • Looks like sugar cane
  • Larkin Elizabeth Larkin Elizabeth on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo variety that grows near Eau Claire WI where I am located, and spreads very rapidly.
  • Elaine Williams Elaine Williams on May 19, 2014
    Sorry, but that is not bamboo.
  • Waunita Stoney Waunita Stoney on May 19, 2014
    Tropical whatever it is .I would say Bird of Paradise
  • Innkeeperbear Innkeeperbear on May 19, 2014
    I'm gonna' go with bamboo...there are over 1,000 varieties of bamboo...not all have skinny leaves.
  • Kathleen Flick Kathleen Flick on May 19, 2014
    Japanese knotweed. Get rid of it quickly.
  • MJ Aured MJ Aured on May 19, 2014
    Was curious if a big storm happened before she noticed plant. Storms have carried some interesting plants into my yard.
  • Ton292116 Ton292116 on May 19, 2014
    Its definitely not bamboo
  • Sandi Tweten Sandi Tweten on May 19, 2014
    did it flower last year - if so were they pink in color cause it does look like an Angel Wing Begonia - the flower should look something like this one
  • Sherri Sherri on May 19, 2014
    It's Japanese Knotweed.
  • Rhonda B Rhonda B on May 19, 2014
    Betty and Kathleen are c0rrect-it is P0lyg0num/Fall0pia species aka Kn0tweed.
  • Donna Espie Donna Espie on May 19, 2014
    I worked at a Habitat for Humanity sight digging out a plant that looked like this that had taken over the backyard! It was not easy to eliminate this!
  • LeAnn Shultz LeAnn Shultz on May 19, 2014
    @ Leafah Fish is right...this is an Angel Wing Begonia. Beautiful plant.
  • Caroline Hargrove Caroline Hargrove on May 19, 2014
    Not sure what it is, but it is in a container not in the flower bed. Maybe move it to another area leaving it potted, use a search engine and look up the suggestions here and see if you can match it.
  • Linda Frazier Linda Frazier on May 19, 2014
    Not bamboo or bird of paradise. looks like Angel Wing begonia as someone else said. The leaves are too broad for bamboo
  • Bamboo-like plant is not exactly bamboo but is invasive
  • Gretchen L Gretchen L on May 19, 2014
    Difinitley not angel trumpet.
  • Sally Walsh Sally Walsh on May 19, 2014
    Dig it up and take it to your local extension office or farm service agency.
  • Joanie Joanie on May 19, 2014
    It's not bamboo, but I would bet some type of begonia. This is what a young bamboo plant looks like. Leaves clearly are not the same.
  • Sandy Parn Tate Sandy Parn Tate on May 19, 2014
    I'm with Leafah Fish - maybe an Angel Wing Begonia. http://www.bambooweb.info/bb/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4899
  • Elaine Williams Elaine Williams on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo has narrow skinny leaves , sorta, kinda resembles some type of begonia ,not sure.
  • Betty Davis Connor Betty Davis Connor on May 19, 2014
    Japanese knotweed for sure. Look at the pic on this page.... http://thecozyherbivore.blogspot.com/2013/05/japanese-knotweed-buckle.html
  • Barbara R Barbara R on May 19, 2014
    This is from webmd.com: and I have included a photo from google on the Knotweed...judge for yourself...Knotweed is an herb. The whole flowering plant is used to make medicine. Knotweed is used for bronchitis, cough, gum disease (gingivitis), and sore mouth and throat. It is also used for lung diseases, skin disorders, and fluid retention. Some people use it to reduce sweating associated with tuberculosis and to stop bleeding. How does it work? Knotweed might be able to reduce swelling. It might also prevent plaque from building up on teeth.
  • Suzi Hickman Suzi Hickman on May 19, 2014
    It's Japanese Knotweed and considered an invasive plant by the government. I would dig it up and get rid of it asap.
  • Di Dempsey Di Dempsey on May 19, 2014
    Angel Wings is the name of the plant.
  • Sondra Sondra on May 19, 2014
    What makes this harder is that it is small enough that we cannot see leaf size. Most of the photos on the internet show more mature plants. It sort of resembles a Japanese Rice Paper Plant or a Japanese Knotweed, which if it is either one, I would get rid of it pronto! I agree with the suggestion of taking it to a nursery or local Ag. Agent and asking them. But if you do, would you please come back and let us know? I am a bit curious, too.
  • Skyfarm1 Skyfarm1 on May 19, 2014
    Japanese Knotweed
  • Janette Janette on May 19, 2014
    Fallopia japonica, commonly known as Japanese knotweed. It is on the noxious weed list in a lot of states
  • Rachelle D Rachelle D on May 19, 2014
    I looked up images of Japanese Knotweed and it looks very much like it! http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eattheweeds.com%2Fjapanese-knotweed-dreadable-edible%2F&h=0&w=0&tbnid=jBxxk0eu-fJC0M&zoom=1&tbnh=194&tbnw=259&docid=rL1tdGcbtfQSJM&tbm=isch&ei=Nrp6U7iwPMqMyASvgIGQCg&ved=0CAIQsCUoAA I googled 'invasive bamboo' and it came up, it is a type of bamboo but very invasive, as a lot of bamboo is.
  • Debra Sevier Debra Sevier on May 19, 2014
    It looks like an Angel Wing to me
  • Pat S Pat S on May 19, 2014
    This is NOT Bamboo!!!! It is Japanese Knotweed. It is very invasive. Fallopia japonica From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Japanese knotweed) Japanese KnotweedScientific classificationKingdom:Plantae(unranked):Angiosperms(unranked):Eudicots(unranked):Core eudicotsOrder:CaryophyllalesFamily:PolygonaceaeGenus:FallopiaSpecies:F. japonicaBinomial nameFallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr.SynonymsPolygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. Reynoutria japonica Houtt. Fallopia japonica, commonly known as Japanese knotweed, is a large, herbaceous perennial plant of the family Polygonaceae, native to Eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe the species is very successful and has been classified as an invasive species in several countries. Japanese knotweed has hollow stems with distinct raised nodes that give it the appearance of bamboo, though it is not closely related. While stems may reach a maximum height of 3–4 m each growing season, it is typical to see much smaller plants in places where they sprout through cracks in the pavement or are repeatedly cut down. The leaves are broad oval with a truncated base, 7–14 cm long and 5–12 cm broad, with an entire margin. The flowers are small, cream or white, produced in erect racemes 6–15 cm long in late summer and early autumn. Closely related species include giant knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis, syn. Polygonum sachalinense) and Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica, syn. Polygonum aubertii, Polygonum baldschuanicum).Other English names for Japanese knotweed include fleeceflower, Himalayan fleece vine, monkeyweed, monkey fungus, Hancock's curse, elephant ears, pea shooters, donkey rhubarb (although it is not a rhubarb), sally rhubarb, Japanese bamboo, American bamboo, and Mexican bamboo (though it is not a bamboo). In Chinese medicine, it is known as Huzhang (Chinese: 虎杖; pinyin: Hǔzhàng), which translates to "tiger stick." There are also regional names, and it is sometimes confused with sorrel. In Japanese, the name is itadori
  • Beth dotson Beth dotson on May 19, 2014
    I agree with Sherri,Angel Wing Begonia!
  • Judy Williams Judy Williams on May 19, 2014
    We call them 'water weeds'. If they have an orange bulb at the root that looks like small sweet potatoes, they are VERY AGGRESSIVE! They grow along the creeks here, mostly, and keep spreading the root bulbs till they take over everywhere! Our extension office had a name for them but I can't recall it.
  • Melissa Cobb Melissa Cobb on May 19, 2014
    looks like rhubarb leaves?
  • Joy Luebbert Joy Luebbert on May 19, 2014
    Japanese knotweed aka donkey rhubarb. Have your county extension people eradicate it. You don't want it in your yard. I have an angel wing begonia and if I can figure out how, I will upload...
  • Sue Salley Sue Salley on May 19, 2014
    Even though it has a segmented stem it is not bamboo. My Grandmother called it beauty bush but that is not its name and I cannot right now remember the name. It is hated by farmers because it spreads so quickly. It get 7-8ft.tall and forms huge clumps quickly. It has red rancimes in the fall and used to be used to decorate cemeteries in the fall here in the south. It is very invasive. It does spread by runners under the soil.
  • Bet308367 Bet308367 on May 19, 2014
    Has it been in that pot for 20 years?
  • Martha Sims Martha Sims on May 19, 2014
    Good ole Southern Cane.You can make Cane Poles out of it I have some drying in my house right now.I use them to make wind chimes.Cut it down when it gets about 7 ft. and lay it straight.When it drys it is really hard like Bamboo.( Arundinaria Gigantea.)
  • Cheryl C Cheryl C on May 19, 2014
    Dig it up quick and get rid of it. it is a killer plant.
  • Judy Williams Judy Williams on May 19, 2014
    As 'Pat S' has posted......it's Japanese Knotwood. Very invasive!!!
  • Julie Kisgen Julie Kisgen on May 19, 2014
    Get it out ASAP!
  • Terri Brodfuehrer Terri Brodfuehrer on May 19, 2014
    a whole lot of japanese knotweed.. they look the same to me. image and info can be found here....http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/weeds/japanese-knotweed.htm
  • Vickie Hartlaub Vickie Hartlaub on May 19, 2014
    Angel wing!
  • Pam Knight-Brown Pam Knight-Brown on May 19, 2014
    I don't know what it is , but it is not an angel wing begonia like some seem to think. I have an angel wing begonia. The stalk looks very similar but the leaves look a lot different.
  • Kathleen Pavlakis Kathleen Pavlakis on May 19, 2014
    This weed took over my entire three acres.....get rid of it!!!!!!!
  • Elise Wetzel Elise Wetzel on May 19, 2014
    i'm with Martha, bamboo, but it kinda resmbles a bird of paradise
  • Elaine S Elaine S on May 19, 2014
    Stem looks like a bamboo. There is some that grows here in NY that is very invasive.
  • Sue Salley Sue Salley on May 19, 2014
    Got it Japanese Knotweed,polygonum cuspidatum.
  • Doris Doris on May 19, 2014
    Japanese knotweed..have this growing next to my garage and it is impossible to get rid of. We have tried spraying it, digging it up etc
  • Charlotte Charlotte on May 19, 2014
    Bamboo, very invasive. Roots travel , and pop up..
  • Marjorie Brown Marjorie Brown on May 19, 2014
    In Maine we call it Bamboo and everyone is on the money. Get rid of it .
  • Jda345628 Jda345628 on May 19, 2014
    This is false bamboo, a horribly invasive plant that will take over your garden. Get rid of it. You can Google it. I have it and hate it. I have to dig it constantly..it grows over night seemingly. It is not really bamboo and originated in Japan..i think. it is listed as one of the 100 worst invasive plants know. it travels underground. Dig it up!!!!
  • Nancy Tubre Nancy Tubre on May 19, 2014
    The bamboo in Louisiana doesn't have wide leaves like the picture shown here. I think if you like the way it looks and want to keep it, just pot it up in a large planter to keep it contained. And keep the planter off of bare ground
  • Sharon Munday Sharon Munday on May 19, 2014
    We have Switch Cane, which was planted by the previous owners. It grows around 15 feet or taller. In late fall it dries out, but every year it grows again and seems to be spreading. It is very, almost impossible to dig out. I read that it can be used for crafts of some sort. The leaves look more like a corn stock though.
  • Marilyn Cooper Marilyn Cooper on May 19, 2014
    The stalk is definitely a Bamboo, and they will continue to multiply.
  • Dajah K Dajah K on May 19, 2014
    I have 2 here. Its a Rex begonia. Here are photos on this link. http://www.ehow.com/how_6077531_care-rex-begonias.html
  • Sandi Capponcelli Sandi Capponcelli on May 19, 2014
    Yep, Japanese knotweed. A big problem plant. It grows by root, stalk and seed. Extremely hard to get rid of. I have a patch I have been battling with for 3 yrs. and I think it's winning.
  • Linda Campbell-Fuller Linda Campbell-Fuller on May 19, 2014
    use glyphosate on it as soon as you see growth, then when the top growth is dead, dig it up and it is to be burned not thrown in trash. the glyphosate you buy already mixed is not adequate, it has to be the kind you buy with a license. also Remedy is a good chemical to help kill it. inject the plant with the remedy in the nodes
    • Dana Corby Dana Corby on May 19, 2014
      @Linda Campbell-Fuller Please don't use glyphosate on anything! It is the #1 suspected culprit in the global bee die-off. It's better to put up with a few annoying plants, but digging them up, spreading them in the sun to dry and then burning them is effective.
  • Helen F Helen F on May 19, 2014
    Looks like poke weed. If it is the leaves stems and berries are poisonous .
  • Heather McDonald Heather McDonald on May 19, 2014
    If that is the japanese knotweed, you need to burn it! That stuff took over my back yard at one of the houses I lived in. It was so horrible! I tried everything to get rid of it. Eventually I moved out and it become someone else's problem.
  • RoseMary Wells RoseMary Wells on May 19, 2014
    Oh, she said she had one HUGE plant last year, now lots this year. Not a begonia. Dig it out or do the cut and douse with poison (I never use poisons, I would dig very, very carefully, way out from the stalk, trying to get every possible root and rootlet. Is there a place where you can get information on how to dispose of it properly? Surely there's a county extension agent, or info from University of Minnesota. They have excellent info on plants. Don't just throw it away in the trash pickup, however. Surely that would contribute to its proliferation.) Good luck!
  • Kathy Schnees Acton Kathy Schnees Acton on May 19, 2014
    Might be a reed grass I have in my back yard bamboo like stalks but leaves remind you of corn stalks can't remember the technical name for it. It does send runners under ground so be careful with it
  • Junque M Junque M on May 19, 2014
    If it is the same knotweed that we have on our property, there is only ONE way to get rid of it. The County people showed up and told us what we had and that there was a local program to get rid of it. They told me that cutting or burning it would just spread it. Because we have a waterway on the property, it would only make things worse. The county came out and is doing the eradication at no charge to us, and with a product that is not toxic to our other plants or affect our organic garden. Make SURE what you have before dealing with it!
  • Rachel Shoemaker Rachel Shoemaker on May 19, 2014
    I agree that it is Japanese knotwood. I am a master gardener, I would recommend using glyphosate and triclopyr if you want to go the chemical route or you can dig and dig and dig. Call your local county extension office and the master gardeners there can help you. Here is a fact sheet from there. You can read up on it. http://ipcm.wisc.edu/download/weeds/japanese-knotweed-2010%20_2_.pdf
  • Cathy Montague J Cathy Montague J on May 19, 2014
    Definitely not begonia, possibly bamboo, or Japanese knotwood.
  • Blu300658 Blu300658 on May 19, 2014
    Its bamboo
  • Wildthyme Wildthyme on May 19, 2014
    If you are a true master gardener why are you recommending glyphospate??? That poison is the main culprit in the killing off of our bee colonies!!
  • Gretchen Ball Gretchen Ball on May 19, 2014
    Knotweed... You CANT dig it up without a excavator... The roots are 20-30 foot deep. One tiny piece left behind will grow it right back. I have it all over my side yard. You can slow it down, by mowing it every time you see leaves pop up... But it will never really completely go. Trust me. I've tried everything on it... Including having my kids attack it... And without completely digging it out... And Digging DEEP.... I'm sorry for your loss...:(
  • Denise Shuker Denise Shuker on May 20, 2014
    It is definitely an Angel Winged Begonia. I have one that comes back every year but mine is a "Snow-Capped" as t has white spots on the leaves. You can make cuttings from mother plant too!! I live in California, near Sacramento. I used to have it inside as a houseplant but put it outside along a fence and it's been there for about 6 years and it doing quite well!
    • Lynn Lawson Lynn Lawson on May 20, 2014
      @Denise Shuker Seriously? Read all the comments. It's a Japanese Knotweed.
  • Barbara Chiarletto Barbara Chiarletto on May 20, 2014
    Bird of paradise
  • Nancy sweet Nancy sweet on May 20, 2014
    I have a whole field of it in my back yard and I'm in inner city. my kids love it play hide n seek n I do arts n krafts with them when the die. plus they grow so tall I have complete privacy from neighbors
  • Marsha Higginbotham Marsha Higginbotham on May 20, 2014
    I read that Japanese knotweed is good to eat xand tastes like rhubarb. So why destroy it?
  • Cindi Janes Cindi Janes on May 20, 2014
    because it destroys pipes and foundations and your home will crumble around you
  • Molly Adams Molly Adams on May 20, 2014
    @marsha, it is incredibly invasive and will come up through cement. seriously. once it becomes established, it is all but impossible to remove and will quickly crowd out any other plant. NOT GOOD!!!!
  • Kara B Kara B on May 20, 2014
    It is Japanese knotweed. I like it but it's seriously invasive so we have to kill it or the county will do it if they see it. We are also supposed to report it if we see it. It's hard to kill. It has to be injected with a professional strength poison until it dies, and that can take years. If you call your county they can probably help you. Digging it up doesn't work, it spreads underground and could make it worse. One little piece could have started it.
  • G. Bryant G. Bryant on May 20, 2014
    @ Marsha - let us know how it taste. There should be a lot of healthy or unhealthy people around if someone recommends glyphosate to get rid of this weed that just keeps on growing and growing, sorta like the energizer bunny.
  • Terri S Terri S on May 20, 2014
    Looks just like Japanese knotweed! It will overtake your yard if not taken care of, believe me I know! I finally got rid of mine.
    • Cindy D. Cindy D. on May 20, 2014
      How did you get rid of it? Its all over the place iny new garden - it came in the loam my husband brought me, and chicked out everything else i tried to plant there!
  • Gloria R Gloria R on May 20, 2014
    It definitely looks like it's not picky about where it grows by where all the comments are coming from. So I would assume we'd all better be on the look out for it.
  • Win301491 Win301491 on May 20, 2014
    Knotweed, here in the UK it's a reportable plant because it's so invasive. We have to get the authorities to remove it and people are banned from planting it!!
  • Erica Chiarkas Erica Chiarkas on May 20, 2014
    I have it in my back yard. Comes back every year but doesn't spread beyond where it is (on one side of driveway). It's hollow inside, like bamboo. Mine leans towards pink in color. Maybe not the same thing? Im in Wisconsin.
  • Dolores Goddard Dolores Goddard on May 20, 2014
    Get rid of it. It looks like bamboo. If it is it's very I mean very aggressive.
  • Judith Judith on May 20, 2014
    It looks like a form of bamboo,very aggressive,get rid of it. I have a plant similar to this and have been pulling it out for the last 14yrs. this year it seems less of it.
  • Iri334697 Iri334697 on May 20, 2014
    Definitely looks like bamboo. Very invasive, roots can travel a long way. I would destroy it unless Mom wants a forest
  • Diane Hummel Myers White Diane Hummel Myers White on May 20, 2014
    Knotweed. VERY invasive!
  • Sandy Wilkins Sandy Wilkins on May 20, 2014
    Yes, they are right! It is Japanese Knotweed, invasive BUT it has wonderfully sweet scented flowers at the end of summer that the honey bees love and our alpacas love to eat it! It also gives great privacy! If you cut it down as it grows repeatedly, eventually it will die.
  • Lynn Valois Lynn Valois on May 20, 2014
    by the stem, it looks like bamboo
  • Betsy Carter Betsy Carter on May 20, 2014
    Japanese knot weed. It will take over totally. I've been trying to get rid of mine for 8 years and I chemically treat it with weed killer and it still comes up.
  • Spreads like wide fire. Keep it in a pot or it will start growing in your neighbors yard if you plant it in the ground.
  • Laura Laura on May 20, 2014
    Get Rid of It !!! I have it in my yard... it is so aggressive that round up does not kill it off... I don't have a basement and it comes up from under my house, we even poured a small concrete slab where it once was but it still comes up between the concrete... grows small white flowers that little bees love to swarm around. It is a type of bamboo ...
  • Carole Spahr Carole Spahr on May 20, 2014
    Dig it up very aggressive
  • Sharon Pilon Sharon Pilon on May 20, 2014
    It tends to take over the other plants and will choke them out !
  • Karen B Karen B on May 20, 2014
    I have no idea what it is but judging from all the comments (those who know best :) ), best to keep it in the pot or get rid of it entirely.
  • Mary Lou Miller Mary Lou Miller on May 20, 2014
    Try salt and vinegar. that might work.
  • GIADA S GIADA S on May 20, 2014
    CAR OIL CAN KILL PLANTS AND WEEDS, BUT nothing will grow where you pour it in your yard..put under fences to keepfrom edging growth underneath....
  • Margo Reilly Margo Reilly on May 20, 2014
    Looks like bamboo
  • Carole P Carole P on May 20, 2014
    looks like "THE DEVIL'S PITCHFORK" KILL IT REMOVE IT BURN IT BUT DON'T BURY IT CUT IT UP DUMP IT CANT SAY ANYMORE BUT IT WILL RUIN ALL THINGS IN YARD
  • Bernie Rosa Bernie Rosa on May 20, 2014
    Japanese knot weed!!! I am in the middle of a fierce battle against that nightmare at our new house. Its even growing in my BASEMENT!
  • Claire Claire on May 20, 2014
    Check out ..devils backbone.. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1716/#b. I just rooted some in water off my daughters clippings..it is a awesome plant look , I've only seen them in large containers however. Before you "destroy" it , I hope you'll check it out!
  • Maria DelValle Maria DelValle on May 20, 2014
    Get rid of it. I have them in my yard. It's a weed.
  • Kathie Mauldin Kathie Mauldin on May 20, 2014
    Bamboo and it will take over her yard! Get rid of it.
  • Claudia Claudia on May 20, 2014
    They have been a constant struggle since I moved in to my house!!! They come up every year no matter what I do. They are giant weeds that won't die!! I pull them up, I wack them down, I mow them, I've tried everything to stop them from coming up and spreading but it seems after 25 yrs it's just an ongoing battle every spring thru summer!!! If anyone knows how to get rid of them completely PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!! I suggest your mom pulls them all up now, because it just gets worse! Sorry she has to deal with them.
  • It's Japanese Knotweed. Very invasive.
  • Margaret C Margaret C on May 20, 2014
    I can't remember the name, but there was a news report on a 'new' invasive plant that looked like this. They said it was VERY toxic and to have it professionally removed!!!
  • Sybil P Sybil P on May 20, 2014
    I think that I ordered one from a nursery and then got rid of it as I learned that it was invasive.
  • Rosalie S Rosalie S on May 20, 2014
    It looks like a sort of bamboo. We have an invasive plant, Japanese Knotweed in NH. It looks like that. Good news! Even though it's considered a pest, it can be pulled or picked and steamed like asparagus when it's young.Don't just cut it though, and expect it to go away. It will root and spread from the smallest scraps of stem. It's VERY hard to get rid of.
  • Anna McBride Anna McBride on May 20, 2014
    Japanese knotweed, it's edible and very invasive.
  • Catherine Baum Catherine Baum on May 20, 2014
    CUt it down and then pour a mixture of roundup and joy soap liquid into the inner circle
  • Elizabeth Ann Dillman Elizabeth Ann Dillman on May 20, 2014
    Catherine Baum does that recipe work on other weeds?
  • Rosemary P Rosemary P on May 20, 2014
    I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND THAT IS NOT DEVILS BACKBONE I HAVE THAT I WOULD GO WITH MAYBE BAMBOO OR THE OTHER SUGGESTION JAPANESE KNOTWEED. NOT DEVIL BACK!!
  • Sherri J Sherri J on May 20, 2014
    Anyone have any thoughts on what this is? Trying to find out if its a weed or something else?
  • Sherri J Sherri J on May 20, 2014
    Oh cool thank you Pam.
  • Cheryl P Cheryl P on May 20, 2014
    Bamboo!!!!
  • Jayme Renee Jayme Renee on May 20, 2014
    Thanks everyone. I told my mother in law and cleaned up the little bit I plants. Scary stuff. My yard is small enough!!
  • Wanda Brethorst Wanda Brethorst on May 20, 2014
    Definitely looks like a form of bamboo..can spread from neighboring yards and is very invasive!! Previous owners intentionally planted here. .seemed OK first 7 years and now is spreading quickly...If small get rid of quickly!!!
  • Bee Cee Bee Cee on May 20, 2014
    If it's edible as other readers say it is, there's the silver lining in that problem.
  • Mary Kay McDonnell Mary Kay McDonnell on May 20, 2014
    It's a Volunteer Lilli
  • Ann Marie Foster Ann Marie Foster on May 20, 2014
    I was thinkin bamboo as well have alot of it round my place
  • Gloria Jenkins Gloria Jenkins on May 20, 2014
    bamboo... extremely invasive
  • Laurie C Laurie C on May 20, 2014
    Definitely bamboo and extremely invasion.
  • Michelle Eliker Michelle Eliker on May 20, 2014
    It's not bamboo! Bamboo is a species of grass and has very different leaves. If you google Japanese Knotweed and look at the images you will see that's what it is.
  • Veronica Patrick Veronica Patrick on May 20, 2014
    bird of paradise
  • LOLA ADAMS LOLA ADAMS on May 20, 2014
    Looks like an angel wing begonia to me
    • Loretta Goodin Loretta Goodin on May 20, 2014
      @LOLA ADAMS It's not an angel wing begonia. I have two and they do not look like this,
  • Tracy Sullivan- Moore Tracy Sullivan- Moore on May 20, 2014
    It's def. bamboo. We bought a house where the previous owner had planted some in the back yard. When we bought the house, the bamboo had completely taken over the yard. We had an extremely hard time getting rid of all of it. There are more than one species of bamboo and this is the one we had.
  • DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN DEBRA MCLAUGHLIN on May 20, 2014
    LOOKS LIKE BIRD OF PARIADSE WITHOUT THE COLOR..PLANT IT IN THE GROUND.. LOOKS LIKE IT IS OUT GROWING THE POT..
  • Gayl Miller Gayl Miller on May 20, 2014
    Begonia!
  • Dianne Snow Dianne Snow on May 20, 2014
    Japanese Knotweed. Edible but very, very invasive!
  • Lori Lori on May 20, 2014
    its called Japanese knotweed and its very invasive...took us 3 years to get rid of it...which included burning it as well.
  • Jennie O Jennie O on May 20, 2014
    Not bamboo. Bad weed, looks like bamboo and very invasive...red leaves to start, grows fast and tall, pulls up pretty easily. Never knew it was edible??
  • Trish Burgess Trish Burgess on May 20, 2014
    Get rid of it i have it all over giving me fits!!!
  • Liz332955 Liz332955 on May 20, 2014
    If it is Japanese Knotweed,it needs to be got rid of ASAP
  • Joanne E Welch Joanne E Welch on May 20, 2014
    Get rid of that. It is Bamboo and very invasive.
  • Rae Rae on May 20, 2014
    does it flower?
  • Deb Clark Deb Clark on May 20, 2014
    its
  • Marilyn Follis Marilyn Follis on May 20, 2014
    It is NOT a bird of paridIse,I had one and it does not like that at all. it is some kind of bamboo,you better hope it dies if it is bamboo..or next year you will have plenty. .
  • Jennifer Head Jennifer Head on May 20, 2014
    Here is a photo of Japanese Knotweed
  • Susan T Susan T on May 20, 2014
    Get rid of it ASAP very invasive.
  • Tamarlenea Gilman Tamarlenea Gilman on May 20, 2014
    if it is bamboo def get rid of it.....it multiplies like crazy! I have tried and tried to get rid of it!
  • Anjie Lucas Anjie Lucas on May 20, 2014
    Kill it and make sure you get rid of the roots....it will spread quickly and smother out anything in it's path
  • Rose Rose on May 20, 2014
    It is japanese bamboo. Do not cut it, only grows more. Cover with dark, heavy grade weed fabric, in Spring, after it dies off during the winter to prevent growth. Only way to get rid of it is to block out the sun
  • Sheila Lynn Sheila Lynn on May 20, 2014
    I would take some (or a good photo) to a master gardener in your area. If it is Japanese Knotweed they can give advise on how to get rid of, if not you will have an ID.
  • Kay Kerns Kay Kerns on May 20, 2014
    Japanese knotweed, not a bamboo but just as invasive
  • Rose M Rose M on May 20, 2014
    Looks like bamboo... My first thought it could be ginger.?
  • Debby C Debby C on May 20, 2014
    Take it to your local Extension Agent / Master Gardener and they will identify it.
  • Luis Luis on May 21, 2014
    Fallopia japonica, commonly known as Japanese knotweed, is a large, herbaceous perennial plant of the family Polygonaceae, native to Eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe the species is very successful and has been classified as an invasive species in several countries. Japanese knotweed has hollow stems with distinct raised nodes that give it the appearance of bamboo, though it is not closely related. While stems may reach a maximum height of 3–4 m each growing season, it is typical to see much smaller plants in places where they sprout through cracks in the pavement or are repeatedly cut down. The leaves are broad oval with a truncated base, 7–20 cm long and 5–12 cm broad[1], with an entire margin. The flowers are small, cream or white, produced in erect racemes 6–15 cm long in late summer and early autumn. It is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the world's worst invasive species.[3] The invasive root system and strong growth can damage concrete foundations, buildings, flood defences, roads, paving, retaining walls and architectural sites. It can also reduce the capacity of channels in flood defences to carry water.[4]
  • Denise Shuker Denise Shuker on May 21, 2014
    No need to get snippy.
  • Bee Cee Bee Cee on May 22, 2014
    Wow....I didn't know all the uses and possible uses for the knotweed plant. So THAT'S the REAL silver lining. I was especially interested in the use for Lyme disease as there are many ticks around here. Thank you Tina Kegley. I plan to pass on this info to my sister and niece as they both work outside a lot in their gardens.. It may even be something they would be interested in growing