Missouri Invasive Plant Council

Japanese hop (Humulus japonicus) is an herbaceous annual vine. Native to eastern Asia, it was imported to the United States in the late 1800s for use in Asian medicine and as an ornamental vine. Within Missouri, Japanese hop is found most commonly in the Missouri and Mississippi river corridors, but it is increasing its range within certain floodplains. Japanese hop outcompetes established vegetation in sunny areas with exposed moist soil. This sprawling, twining, climbing vine has opposite, palmately divided leaves that are rough to the touch. It has inconspicuous green flowers, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Female flowers are borne on a drooping cone-like structure with overlapping scales (called hops). The stems have short, sharp, downward-pointing prickles.