Lookalike guide
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.
Russian vine (Fallopia baldschuanica): Close relative — vigorous, but not covered by knotweed rules.
| Feature | Japanese knotweed | Russian vine |
|---|---|---|
| Habit | Stands up on its own canes | Climbs and scrambles over fences and sheds |
| Stems | Hollow, die back in winter | Woody, stay through winter |
| Flowers | Cream sprays | Similar cream-pink sprays, very abundant |
Quick test
A climbing woody vine with knotweed-like flowers is Russian vine.