Japanese Knotweed???????????????????

[Greg]

I think this is Japanese Knotweed but I'm not 100%!
Could anyone help me with the ID please and if it is, am I right in saying that it is edible?

These are images of Knotweed from the internet:
http://static.squidoo.com/resize/sq...e7024679photo_1210613735japanese_knotweed.jpg

http://static.squidoo.com/resize/sq...e7024679photo_1210613735japanese_knotweed.jpg

 

[Gibbsy]

I wouldn't like to say it was knotweed but i do remember that you can eat it and it is not dissimilar to rhubarb.

 

[Daegurth]

it certainly looks like it, although IIRC knotweed tends to grow more upwards than outwards...

 

[Toddy]

The Japanese knotweed I see is way above my head by this time of year. Thick stems that crunch when you break them, tastes sharp and sweet like rhubarb. It is edible, in fact the best thing you can do is keep it well grazed as it keeps it from spreading.

Those stems look waay to small for knotweed at this time of year to me..........may well be wrong though, and it's just fresh growth

http://www.cabi-bioscience.org/html/japanese_knotweed_alliance.htm

cheers,
Toddy

 

[C_Claycomb]

Fresh growth, that is the stuff. I got a good look at some great clumps this passed weekend on the Hardwick estate and there were some litte stems just like that. You can see why the stuff was imported as an ornamental

As for edibility, dunno

 

[Greg]

I have established that Japanese Knotweed is definately edible (There are loads of recipes on the net!) but everything I have read just states that you need to use the stalks like rhubarb. And what I really need to know is can you use the leaves to wrap food in for a hangi?

 

[JonnyP]

Certainly looks like Japanese knotweed. As Toddy says, it is edible, but you need to be careful if you do use it, the councils spray it with weed killers trying to get rid of it... Only use it if you are sure it hasn't been sprayed..
http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/K-Flowers/Knotweed,%20Japanese.htm

 

[xylaria]

It looks like a first infestation shoot if there isn't the fat mama about. you can report it to the landowner, if it is your local council don't bother. I have dug up shoots like that and the surrounding soil and the plant hasn't come back, the evil was placed straight into black sack and burnt on bonfire. This action is probably NOT legal, but I feel it is moral considering the council in my area will leave it to devour a habitat before any action is taken.

Knotweed stops been edible when the leaves unfurl.

 

[Greg]

Knotweed stops been edible when the leaves unfurl.

Are you sure because recipes on the net just tell you to lop the leaf tops off!

 

[slowworm]

I also think that, technically, you can't legally move it, so you can't pick it to take home to eat. If you do pick it be vary careful what you do with any trimmings - don't throw them on the compost for example. I assume most people realise this but it doesn't hurt to repeat it.

 

[Greg]

Can we stay on subject please, that being can you use the leaves to wrap food for a hangi.
Cheers guys!

 

[slowworm]

This any help? http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Polygonum+japonicum

 

[Greg]

This any help? http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Polygonum+japonicum

Thats the businee mate, Thankyou very much, It has answered all my questions!