In July, Algis Kemezys posted an OS Editor's Pick on Giant Hogweed and told us about the plant's ability to mass reproduce and do damage to humans. It is truly an unwanted plant, which lives in parts of the Northern U.S. and Canada. Thank you, Algis.

Here is another one: Knotweed. This plant is more widespread. Knotweed is categorized as a dangerous plant in Canada and in most States that have invasive plant lists: AK, CT, DC, DE, GA, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, and WV.

Fallopia japonica or Japanese Knotweed or Mexican Bamboo. 

It has a beautiful bloom. You'd expect to see it in sprays at the end of pews at weddings. Originally from Eastern Asia, it is an upright shrub growing to over 10 feet in height. The blooms in late summer are followed by small winged fruits. Knotweed reproduces by rhizomes, and seeds carried by water, wind and soles of shoes. Unfortunately, it was introduced in the United States for ornamentation and erosion control. 

When I photographed this Knotweed, the bushes were buzzing with loads and loads of bees. 

You will most likely recognize it on the sides of roads looking like this. According to the USDA, it can tolerate a variety of adverse conditions including full shade, high temperatures, high salinity and drought. It is found along streams and rivers, in low-lying areas, waste places, utility rights-of-way, and around old home sites. It can quickly become an invasive pest in natural areas after escaping from cultivated gardens.

It spreads quickly to form dense thickets that exclude native vegetation and altering natural ecosystems. It poses a significant threat to stream and river banks, where it can survive severe floods and is able to rapidly colonize shores and islands. Once established, populations are extremely persistent.

SOLUTION: PULL IT UP AND DIG UP ITS ROOTS!

If you can't do that, shear it off at least twice a year. 

For Sheba Marx's Good Things about Unemployment, see unemployedmarx.blogspot.com