Take Root Remedies

Japanese knotweed came to the United States from East Asia in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. It escaped cultivation and now forms dense thickets that crowd out native plants. Even small root or stem fragments can create new colonies.

But it has a useful side. The young spring shoots are edible, and its underground rhizomes are a rich natural source of resveratrol, the same antioxidant compound found in grapes.

Harvest tender shoots when they are 6 to 10 inches tall and still snap easily. Wash them, remove the leaves, and peel away any tough skin. Sauté in butter with salt and garlic for 5 to 8 minutes, much like asparagus. The flavor is pleasantly tart, similar to rhubarb.

Only harvest plants you can confidently identify, and avoid areas that may have been sprayed. Never compost raw cuttings because small fragments can take root and spread.

Sometimes self reliance means turning a serious problem into something useful.