Question: This was at the edge of a clearing for a housing development in Belchertown MA. I found a larger one …
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Question
This was at the edge of a clearing for a housing development in Belchertown MA. I found a larger one about 20 feet into the woods. Using gobotany, the closest match I can find is Fallopica japonica. The abaxial surface of the leaves is very hairy. The leaves on the photographed plant are up to 11cm wide. Even larger on the other one. When I pulled, it snapped off at ground level. Does it look like Japanese knotweed? No flowers yet. If so, what can I do? I only see a few...
Answer
Dear Markfanty, good morning. You have photographed a poplar stump sprout (genus Populus). It is difficult to identify the plant without being present. The lobing on the leaves suggests it may be a hybrid with Populus alba (white poplar). Often, the best strategy is to find a mature tree in the vicinity, which will have normal leaves that aren't enlarged to make a good hypothesis from. Best wishes.
