Eastern Forest Threat Center - Japanese Hop

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Japanese hop foliage

Japanese hop foliage

Chirs Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org

Japanese Hop
Humulus japonicus

Japanese hop, native to Japan and China, has escaped cultivation in the U.S.

Keywords: Cannabaceae, annual, perennial, vine, twining, climbing, trailing, prickly stems, palmate lobes, down-cuved bracts, inconspicuous green flowers

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Threat Description

Japanese hop is an annual or perennial twining, climbing, trailing, or prostrate vine with prickly stems in the hemp family. Leaves are approximately 2 to 4 in. in length and deeply divided into 5 distinct palmate lobes with separate margins and rough surfaces. Down-curved bracts occur at the base of the leaf petioles. Individual flowers are relatively inconspicuous, without petals, and green in color. Flowers occur in clusters approximately 2 in. long. Japanese hop plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy), and heavy (clay) soils, and grows in acid, neutral, or basic (alkaline) soils. It requires moist soil and can grow in semi-shade or no shade. It will grow in forests, sunny forest edge, and shaded areas. When forming dense stands, this invasive plant can out-compete native vegetation.