Japanese Knotweed eradication

Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a non-native invasive plant that was brought to Britain from the Far East in the mid-nineteenth century as an ornamental garden plant. It has become widespread in the wild and causes serious problems by displacing native flora and causing structural damage.  No viable seed has been recorded in the UK except as a result of hybridisation. This means the plant regenerates not only via an extensive and rapidly growing rhizome system but also from fresh stem material. As little as 10mm in length or 0.7g fresh weight of rhizome will allow knotweed to regenerate and form a new plant.

If you have Japanese knotweed in your garden and would like an information sheet, so you are aware what the weed looks like and what you need to do to eradicate it, then you can download a copy of the Japanese knotweed information sheet here(pdf, 165KB).

We are currently collecting information to find out the distribution and location of this invasive plant, as part of a long-term initiative to control and eradicate Japanese knotweed from all Council-owned or managed parks and open spaces.

We are currently controlling Japanese knotweed at Ham Lands Local Nature Reserve, Ham Common Woods, Barnes Common, Old Deer Park, Barn Elms Fishing Pond, Pesthouse Common, Mereway Allotments, Crane Park, and Arundel Close, as part of a chemical control programme by specialist contractors.

If you are aware of any Japanese knotweed in any other park or open space within the borough, please phone 020 8487 5243 with the name of the park/open space and the approximate size of the patch: