Achyranthes japonica

Achyranthes japonica: Japanese chaff flower

Plant Identification: 

• Growth form: perennial herbaceous plant growing up to 2 emters tall, found in bottomland forests and along annually flooded riverbanks, field edges, and ditches
• Leaf: ovate-elliptic leaves that are opposite, simple, and entire, slightly wavy margins. The base of the leaf is tapering and acute to acuminate
• Flower: small flowers with no petals and are clustered tightly on the inflorescence which occur at the ends of stems
• Fruit: elliptic utricles that are held tightly along the stem. Fruits contain a single seed

For more information about Japanese chaff flower identification, please visit:

• Invasive.org
• United States Department of Agriculture 
• National Park Service
• River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area
• Invasives Plant Atlas