History

Japanese knotweed, also known by its Latin name fallopia japonica, is native to Japan but also other countries in east Asia. It is a hardy bamboo-like perennial plant that grows quickly and strongly.

It was introduced to the UK in the mid-19th century. By the end of the century and certainly going into the 20th century it was discouraged from being grown unless properly controlled (not easy to do) given its in unamiable propensity to grow and spread.

The British over the last few hundred years seemed to have an appetite for bringing plants and animals from foreign lands to these islands whilst it appears simultaneously doing the same in other countries. Before the British arrived in New Zealand for example, they had no grass or mammals (such as sheep or cows) on the islands. In a pseudo Brit’s abroad kind of a way we wanted a piece of home away. New Zealand as we all know is famous for its butter and lamb.

In Australia for example there are at least 30 species of pest animals and at least 500 different species of weed that were not native to the country. Rabbits and goats for example have caused a lot of damage to the vegetation and land. They introduced the cain toad to help control beetles on sugar cane following its introduction in 1788. It seems whenever they tried to resolve an issue with another introduced species some new problems turned up.

In Japan there are many species of insects & fungi that help keep the growth of Japanese knotweed under control which we do not have in this country. Other action then has to be taken to control the spread of it. Japanese knotweed is covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is an offence to plant it or cause it to grow in the wild.