Poetry Monday: Leaves And Flowers The Rain Has Brought

It's Poetry Monday and this week's topic is "leaves and flowers the rain has brought."

Join Diane, Delores and me as we grow a little magic using this theme. You can join us! Leave a poem (yours or another) in the comments on any of our blogs. Or post it on your blog, and leave a comment to tell us where to find you.

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I will not be writing a poem about all the lovely, innocent little plants that are coming into their own as our spring warms up. Instead, I'm going to write about an alien, invasive plant that crowds out those innocents.

Don't give me that peace sign, green alien (plant) -- I know what you're really like. (photo: Pixabay)

Behold the Japanese knotweed. It's described in horticultural journals as “thuggish,” “ferocious,” “invasive” and an “indestructible scourge.” Click here for more information if you like horror stories. Do not click if you are prone to nightmares.

There is a patch of this plant growing along the trail I walk. It grows fast, spreads quickly, and it's very hard to get rid of, because it has a gigantic root system. It resembles bamboo, and people who aren't familiar with it often call it that.

Real bamboo shoots (picture borrowed from this website)

Japanese knotweed-- new sprouts among last year's hollow, cut-off stalks

As you can see from the pictures, these two plants do not really look alike when seen side by side. But Japanese knotweed does have the segmented stalks that remind people of bamboo.

Mature knotweed plants. Deceptively pretty. Source: Invasive Species Council of BC

It is worth noting that in Japan, its country of origin, this plant has 186 kinds of insects and 40 kinds of fungi which are natural enemies that help keep it in check. Unfortunately, everywhere else seems to be missing those helpful organisms.

I thought it fitting to write a haiku about Japanese knotweed. After all, the haiku originated in Japan, too.

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Just Say No, Kiddies

"Tales from Knotweed Woods" . . .
Worst ever bedtime reading
For little green plants.


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I almost deleted this whole post and started over, because I am basically a big wuss and even reading about this plant is giving me the shivers. But then I thought maybe it was a good thing for gardeners everywhere to know, if they don't already.  This species has spread across Europe, the United States, and was found in Canada for the first time within the last decade.

And I thought it would help me if I poked fun at it. You know, like whistling in the dark.

Thank you for reading, and I promise to be all brightness and light next Poetry Monday.

Here's a nicer image to leave you with:

Now this is a beautiful thing. Pansies are one of my most favourite flowers. (photo: Pixabay)

 
(Thank you to Jimmy for writing about kudzu and prompting me to find out more about our own local invasive species!)

Update: Next week's theme is "friendship" . . .