Recognise Japanese knotweed
Recognise Japanese knotweed
17th August 2021
Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica or Fallopia japonica) is an invasive alien plant originally introduced to the UK as an ornamental; it can sprout from very small sections of rhizome and under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to cause it to grow in the wild. It can be confused with some of the Persicarias and also with Russian Vine (Fallopia baldschuanica) and Pheasant Berry (Leycesteria formosa) - the leaves are heart shaped and up to 14cm long, carried in a zig zag pattern along the thick stems, which are vigorous enough to push through concrete and reach 2m in height.
