Even though knotweed does not root down at the nodes of the stems, a single plant can form a dense mass up to three feet across. Prostrate knotweed tolerates extremely compacted soils and is often found in high traffic areas. The leaves appear alternately on the stems, and differ in the color of green depending on the age of the leaf, with older leaves being a less intense green. The stems will be knotty and have a paper like sheath. The flowers of knotweed are small pink to white and form in clusters in the leaf axis.
Flowers form in late spring.
Knotweed spreads by seed. Prostrate knotweed is found throughout North America. Knotweed flourishes in compacted soils with low oxygen diffusion. Soil conditions can be made less favorable by lightening with core aeration. If possible, traffic should be re-routed to prevent future compaction.