knotweed season!

[zilya]

I noticed the japanese knotweed is poking its first leaves up on the bike path. (In town is earlier than out here where there is no sign of it yet.) I expect this week it will be up to the first harvestable shoots, especially after this rain and then the warm snap we're supposed to get. If i were in town right after work either monday or thursday, or maybe friday- anyone want to meet me in Davis for a short workshop?

Short form: why these are good to eat, and how to not let them spread.
Directions: If you just want to go see an example, walk from the Davis Sq T down the bike path to almost where it crosses Willow. Look along the fence to your left. Last year's plant is the old dried stems that look a bit reddish and segmented like bamboo, with a bit of a zigzag wiggly look. At their feet are new 2-inch or so heart-shaped dark red leaves, maybe by now growing up on hollow green-red stems that look a bit like asparagus. Read this before harvesting.

Comments

phear the cthulhuvine

[dr-memory.livejournal.com]

I still have horrible, horrible memories of trying to root that stuff out of my back yard in Boston. Every time Kriss or I would pull on a stalk, it would lead down to this thick, bulbous, pulsating knob-like root 3 or more feet underground, which when it finally came up had obviously broken off from a yet deeper root system. We eventually realized that the entire yard had been invaded (and indeed was nearly completely comprised by) a single plant.

I'm glad in the abstract that it's edible, but I would fear it colonizing my intestines.

Re: phear the cthulhuvine

[klingonlandlady.livejournal.com]

Scary stuff, those roots, eep! But- it's used as the basis for Reservatrol supplements in health food stores...

"An excellent source of vitamin A, along with vitamin C and its cofactor, the antioxidant flavonoid rutin, Japanese knotweed also provides potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese. It’s also an excellent source of resveratrol, the same substance in the skin of grapes and in red wine that lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attacks."

So nyah nyah! :P

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

cool. mine hasn't sprouted yet over 2-3 a day checks. perhaps soon.

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[magid.livejournal.com]

Monday I could make it, or possibly Friday, depending on timing.