Facts

Make no mistake: Japanese Knotweed, or Fallopia Japonica, a rhizomatous perennial plant, is a ferocious creature. Introduced into Europe in the 19th century as an ornamental plant, as well to provide ground cover and fodder, it’s brought untold worry and turmoil to grounds everywhere ever since. So why is it so destructive?

• It reproduces through vegetative regeneration - with fragments of rhizome as small as 0.7g enough to give rise to a new plant. All reproduction is purely through cuttings being transported to new areas.

• All plants outside of Japan and Eastern China are female - they don’t need male germination, which means Europe has no male plants.

• The rhizome and root system spreads fast - dependent on soil conditions, it can grow up to 7 meters in length and 3 meters in depth.

• The plant can survive in water – albeit for a short time, and can still be viable when it comes into contact with soil.

• It thrives on disturbance - and has been spread by both natural and human activity.

• Fly tipping and careless transportation - is the largest means by which the plant spreads.

• It’s unrelenting – in its cell expansion, it will stop at nothing, and will still spurt through the smallest of cracks, causing untold damage to the surrounding area.

• It can create blockages and flood – no thanks to the debris from the plant falling off in winter and being washed into streams and rivers.

• It obstructs natural flora and fauna - The plant's leaf canopy blocks light to the ground.

• It’s a fire risk - during the summer months and during dry periods.

• It can survive extreme heat - and is found in volcanic areas within its natural habitat.