A friend lives out in Aldergrove and has a troublesome plant which has invaded. He calls it Bamboo but I don't think it is. In high school our Botany teacher said that "All Bamboo is Cane, but not all Canes are Bamboo". Correct? I asked a fellow from Triple Tree Nursery in Maple Ridge. He called it Wild Bamboo, which he said isn't a true Bamboo. I had brought a piece of the plant, with its broad green leaves and a bit of the stem and he named it almost without me asking what it was. The fellow at Triple Tree couldn't give me the botanical name for it, if there is one. I believe what is on my friend's property is a member of the larger Cane family. My friend says he is sure it is bamboo. But I think he is mistaking the segmented stems of the cane family for bamboo. It doesn't grow in tight clusters and the broad leaves look nothing like any bamboo I've seen. It does spread underground though, dispite pulling. Any asistance would be gratefully appreciated. I'm using a library computer as I don't have one at home at the moment.
Sounds like Japanese knotweed. See this photo of the day and then search the forums for [SEARCH]Japanese knotweed[/SEARCH]
Sounds like Japanese knotweed. See this photo of the day and then search the forums for Japanese knotweed.] Thanks for taking the time to respond to my quiery, but I don't think it is Japanese Knotwood. I referred to the Japanese Knotwood Alliance's webpage and saw a picture of something which in no way resembles this the plant I am referring to. The plant grows in long cane-like stalks which are segmented similarly to bamboo. However, the leaves are broad (like a poplar but much larger) and grow opposite each other up the stem. My friend tells me the stalk is very tough, hard and cane-like when dried. Any further suggestions?
You had botany in high school??? But seriously.... Leycesteria has cane-like stems, but it isn't invasive in my experience. Does it seem to be fully herbaceous, or is it a real woody plant where new growth sprouts from the old stems? Or is it evergreen?
Yes, we took Botany classes with a teacher who had been a Botanist before his teaching career. Guess the 60s in Toronto were lucky for some of us. :~) I wish I could remember more of the useful things he taught us like correct terminology, plant categorization by stem and propagation types. Alas for me. Little did I know I would appreciate Mr Killam until so much later. In any case, the plant I'm referring to grows over 6' in an upright manner, with cane-like, segmented stems and no flowers that have been noted. The single leaves grow opposite one another on either side of the segmented (like Bamboo) stem. The leaves grow quite large and soft, as opposed to the tougher leaves of true canes. They resemble a poplar in shape. When the canes are pulled there are hair-like roots and the cluster of canes increases despite frequent and difficult pulling of new growth. When dreid they are quite like canes as they are hollow and hard. It dies back in winter and renews its growth early. It is not evergreen. I wish I could post pictures, but unfortunately I am relegated to using the library computers for the moment, which don't allow it. My continued thanks to those who are trying to help me identify this plant.
I wonder if you're getting distracted by the cane-like stems to the exclusion of giving adequate information about the leaves. Many perennial type things have hollow stems - I'm thinking of Heracleum again (as in a neighbouring thread). It does sound herbaceous, and so several vigorous weeds do become candidates. As an alternate plan, perhaps you could get your friend - the one with the problem, after all! - to post a photo here, or someone else you know who has a computer of their own in action? You don't say whether you have a digital camera, but might be able to find soemone with one if you don't.
RE: JAPANESE KNOTWEED. I can honestly say it is not that plant. I have researched the many sites on Japanese Knotweed looking for a picture of the cane to which I'm referring. From any pictures I've seen, there is no resemblance to the one which is growing on the Aldergrove property. The chief visual difference being the leaves only grow up the main stalk and not on multiple branches. In fact, there are no branches off the main stalk - just leaves. I would like to bring a piece of the plant to the UBC Botanical Garden for further information if that is possible. Normally, I would be able to post a digital picture. However, for the next while I am using a library computer and posting pictures is not an option. I do appreciate all the help in trying to identify the plant. My sincere thanks for your interest and help in this.
Sure, bring in a piece of the plant. The Hortline folks are around Tues and Wed afternoons, but if that's inconvenient, bring it in sometime between 9:30 and 4:30 on a weekday and there should be someone here who can ID it.
Well, I finally got a better look from another person's pictures in this forum, one which actually shows the growth from the ground. It is Japanese Knotweed and I am so appreciative for getting a defining picture. I guess what's been happening is that the stalks are being pulled regularly at about 4-6 feet so they're not branching out at all. I am sorry for the mistake, but relieved to read: "Bamboo? I was told NO. 20 years we've thought it was Bamboo.." It is exactly what my friend has been saying for the same length of time. <griiin> I guess we're never too old to learn something...and that's a good thing. ~Many thanks for all your help!
