Question: I've been running into a type of flowering shrub often found on the sides of streets and along the highway. …
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Question
I've been running into a type of flowering shrub often found on the sides of streets and along the highway. It grows with dense tall shoots I estimate 8' tall that form a low canopy. I've noticed variations on the plant with it's leaf form, flower and also as low ground cover. Hopefully a trained eye will be able to clear this mystery for me.
Answer
Dear Paul, you appear to have photographed Reynoutria X bohemica (Bohemian knotweed), formerly referred to as Fallopia X bohemica. It is the hybrid between Reynoutria japonica (Japanese knotweed) and Reynoutria sachalinensis (giant knotweed). It is quite common around New England and is routinely misidentified as Reynoutria japonica. I hope this is helpful.
