Lookalike guide
Is it really knotweed? Plants that look like invasive weeds
Most suspected knotweed turns out to be bindweed, lilac or dock. Compare each invasive weed with the plants it is mistaken for before you worry — or spend money.
Japanese knotweed lookalikes
Japanese knotweed vs Hedge bindweed
Both have heart-ish leaves and turn up in hedges and fences, but bindweed twines around other plants while knotweed stands up on its own canes.
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Japanese knotweed vs Lilac
Young lilac suckers have similar heart-shaped leaves, which is why lilac is one of the most common knotweed false alarms.
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Japanese knotweed vs Broad-leaved dock
Red-tinged spring knotweed shoots can look like dock, especially on waste ground where both grow.
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Japanese knotweed vs Russian vine
Russian vine is in the same family and has similar flowers, but it is a woody climber that smothers fences.
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Japanese knotweed vs Bamboo
Knotweed is often called 'Japanese bamboo', yet true bamboo is a grass with very different leaves.
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Himalayan balsam lookalikes
Giant hogweed lookalikes
Giant hogweed vs Common hogweed
Common hogweed is everywhere on Swansea verges. Giant hogweed is far bigger and far more dangerous.
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Giant hogweed vs Cow parsley
The lacy white heads of spring lanes look similar from a distance.
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Giant hogweed vs Wild angelica
Angelica grows by streams and has purple-tinged stems, so it is mistaken for young giant hogweed.
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