Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica or Fallopia japonica) is known as one of the most frustrating invasive species in the world. Frequently planted along riverbanks as a means of controlling erosion, it is often favored by pollinators, yet quickly overruns landscapes and smothers native plant species. Knotweed also makes a delicious, healthy and versatile vegetable, similar to rhubarb. We can help to manage the overgrowth of this powerful invasive by eating it! Learn to manage, harvest, gather, process, and eat Japanese knotweed. We'll cover identification, removal, gathering, processing, cooking over an open fire, and future storage. Everyone gets a jar of sweet knotweed sauce to take home, which you may further dehydrate for fruit leather.