Plant No. 19
Posted June 27, 2005  

What is it?  Weed or Wonderful!  I have a feeling is some invasive monster.  Kind of brambly!   We call it the velcro plant.  Any info would be greatly appreciated with regards to this vine.
This plant is one of the species of hops (Humulus) and may very well be the invasive, annual species Humulus japonicus (Japanese hops).  If this proves to be the case, then you can carefully eradicate these plants and replace with common, perennial hops (Humulus lupulus) which are not known to be invasive and can be used to make beer as a bonus.  They also possess the "Velcro"-like hairs on their stems and look very similar.

 
Stefan Lura
Washington, DC

Description: Annual climbing or trailing vine with  5-lobed leaves and stems with prickles.   Japanese Hops is primarily a weed of pastures, hayfields, and other noncrop areas that is found throughout Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

April, 2006