Is this bamboo? (Ans. No - Fallopia japonica, Syn. Polygonum cuspidatum)

[Slappy Squirrel]

A co-worker has this "bamboo" growing in his backyard in Vermont. The stems look like bamboo to us, but the leaves look totally wrong. It grows to about 12 feet, the largest stems are about 1.5 inches across, the stalks are hollow, and it spreads like crazy. See pics for a better look:

Grouping (http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8274/evilbambooec3.jpg)

Leaves (http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8443/leafmealonexy1.jpg)

Stalks (http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2918/stalkingyourn3.jpg)

Bottoms (http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8843/rootoftheproblemqg1.jpg)

So, my first question is, is this actually bamboo? And if so, what kind is it and if not what could it be? any ideas?

Thanks to everyone in advance.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Slappy Squirrel,
No, this is not a bamboo.
One common name used is Japanese Knotweed
Species name - Fallopia japonica (formerly Polygonum cuspidatum)

See this link for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Knotweed

Mark

[Slappy Squirrel]

Yikes, scary stuff!
Thanks for that.