We’re fighting against the spread of knotweed.

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The Knotweed Lab is an interdisciplinary community of scientific and creative researchers committed to studying and generating awareness about invasive knotweed near waterways in British Columbia.

Our project integrates creative practices and methods with scientific research to explore environmentally-conscious solutions for knotweed management and knowledge mobilization.

Project Details

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Final Reflections on Creative Methods

December 12, 2023

Georgia explains how insight clustering, the knowledge mobilization matrix, and the idea prioritization matrix create a methodical approach to reach the public.

Reflections on Using Creative Methods in My Research Process II

December 12, 2023

Lauren reflects on her personal use of visual prototyping and how beneficial it was to incorporate it into her workflow in the lab.

Reflections on the Knowledge Mobilization Matrix

December 10, 2023

In this post, Sefa writes about the structure the creative methods gave our project, and why she particularly enjoyed the knowledge mobilization matrix.

Reflections on Empathy Mapping II

December 3, 2023

Hannah found empathy mapping to be a valuable tool to shift her perspective on the knotweed issue, which ultimately helped frame the messaging to the public.

Reflections on the Research Participant Map

December 1, 2023

The goal of the research participant map is to find opportunities to reach specific target audiences. Jay utilized it to inform her “Day in the Life” video.

Reflections on Using Creative Methods in My Research Process

November 30, 2023

Hannah was able to utilize the media scan and idea prioritization matrix methods into her workflow as a psychology student. Read more about it in this post!

Reflections on Empathy Mapping

November 29, 2023

Empathy mapping is a creative method designed to acquire a deeper understanding of the audience. Read about Maria’s experience with it in this post!

Bringing Research to Life Through Creative Methods

April 14, 2023

Embracing creativity in our research project led to deeper insights and innovative ways to understand our study of knotweed and spread awareness.

Bohemian Knotweed: A History of the World’s Worst Plant

January 24, 2023

Bohemian knotweed has been allowed to grow quietly in the shadow of its parents as a hidden villain – here’s a breakdown on its origins

How to Identify Knotweed

November 19, 2022

Written by Maria Goncharova, edited by Hannah Munnalall

Got questions? We're more than happy to answer them! Get started with our most Frequently Asked Questions.

What is knotweed, and how can I identify it?

Knotweed is an herbaceous perennial plant that is highly invasive in North America. Knotweed forms white flowers from late summer to early autumn. The stems are hollow (similar to bamboo shoots) and the leaves grow in a zig-zag pattern. Most varieties have leaves that are either triangle or heart-shaped.

In the spring, new shoots begin to grow through the soil. They are generally dark red and green and look similar to asparagus spears. On new emerging shoots, the leaves are rolled up and they unravel as the plant continues to grow in height.

One of the best ways to identify knotweed is to use iNaturalist to scan the leaves. This will help to identify whether it is knotweed. As a bonus, it also tracks the locations of confirmed knotweed, which supports better research and management!

To learn more about how to identify knotweed, please refer to our blog post here.
Why would I want to eradicate knotweed on my property?

Knotweed is extremely aggressive, and it can even grow through concrete if not managed. It is a homeowner’s responsibility to ensure knotweed on their property does not spread into the wild or onto a neighbour’s property. It is recommended to treat knotweed as soon as you are aware of it. With more time spent growing, knotweed becomes more established which makes it more difficult to eradicate.
Can I pull, dig, or cut knotweed out of my garden?

Management methods such as mowing, digging, and pulling are considered ineffective methods of removal. Knotweed has a large underground root system made up of a network of rhizomes.

Attempting to pull or dig the knotweed out of the ground may encourage growth, and mowing over a patch of knotweed can spread it to surrounding areas.
Who should I contact to manage the knotweed on my property?

The most effective method of management for knotweed is a glyphosate herbicide. Keep in mind that knotweed growing near waterways cannot be treated with unlicenced herbicide. If in the Fraser Valley, contact the Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society (FVISS). Their website can be found here. If you are located elsewhere, look for similar expertise in your geographic area.

This project is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.