Flowering Japanese Knotweed Dyes Hehuan Mountain Red in Autumn

▲Japanese Knotweed Flowers Bloom Across Hehuan Mountain in Autumn (Photo provided by the Dongshi Forest District Office)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

As autumn arrives, Hehuan Mountain is dotted with vibrant red hues. The Purple Line (Provincial Highway 14A) is lined with purple-red Japanese knotweed in full bloom. Further along the route, from Kunyang to the Snow Mountain Lodge and Shimen Mountain, the roadsides are covered with abundant Japanese knotweed flowers swaying in the autumn wind. The Japanese knotweed, in full bloom with fruit, is considered one of the most beautiful wildflowers in the high mountains. Visitors hoping to admire the scenery are advised to seize the opportunity.

Autumn on Hehuan Mountain brings cool daytime weather, making it perfect for hiking and outdoor activities. Director Li Yanshou of the Dongshi Forest District Office stated that visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the mountain flowers, but also reminded everyone that temperatures can vary greatly between day and night in the mountains during autumn, so proper warm clothing is essential.

The stem of the Japanese knotweed features purple-red speckles and segmented joints resembling a walking stick, hence its name “tiger cane” (虎杖). It can typically grow over one meter tall. Between September and October, the plant bears fruit, with its reddish or pinkish enlarged bracts enclosing the seeds. In autumn, the mature fruits detach and scatter with the wind.

%The Development Background of Japanese Knotweed (Image source: Taiwan Forestry Bureau)