Eerie pink knotweed rearing its invasive read in front of scary green shape

In front of a suspicious shape, this thick juicy knotweed sprout is growing out of last years' roots. It's a nice snack! Slightly astringent, freshly acidic like Sorrell. Pick them at the end of March, beginning of April in The Netherlands This plant is originally from Asia and is considered an exotic invader in the west. As such it is seen as a plague that is dangerous and damaging to local ecology and infrastructure.

Reynoutria japonica or Fallopia japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum are the scientific names of the species. Japanse Duizenknoop is the dutch name.

photo 2020 by Willem Velthoven for Mediamatic