More than 13,000 Brits admit they have no idea what the devastating plant looks like
Experts have warned homeowners to get into their gardens and check for the presence of Japanese knotweed this month(Image: Getty images )
Japanese knotweed is notorious for it’s ability to cause destruction to gardens and homes but a new study has found that thousands of people have no idea what it looks like. That means it could be growing in gardens undetected.
More than 13,340 Brits have no idea what the invasive weed actually looks like despite it being a ticking time bomb that can cause significant property damage and lead to costly legal claims. But experts from Japanese Knotweed Ltd said that the plant will reveal itself from this month.
While summer is considered peak season, autumn is the ideal time to identify it, as its distinctive features become easier to spot as other foliage dies back.
Experts said confusing Japanese knotweed with a harmless plant could mean it ends up wreaking havoc on your own property and your neighbours, which can lead to costly treatment plans and potentially private nuisance claims from your next door.
And if the knotweed infestation is left unchecked for several years, it can spread and cause a range of issues including impeding amenity land use, increase land use change costs, material damage to hard-standing structures, devaluation of property and legal claims.
They suggest getting out into the garden this month to check if it’s present.
Jennifer Holmes of Japanese Knotweed Ltd said: “We know of (and assist with) 100’s of private legal claims every year – it’s important to be fully informed whatever side of the fence knotweed is on, and it all starts with being able to identify it or know where to turn to for professional identification.”
She said it’s always best to triple-check what is lurking in your garden, as an early diagnosis could save you the headache in the long run.
How to identify Japanese knotweed in autumnLook for tall stems with shovel-shaped leaves that are starting to turn yellow and orange.Check for a clear zig-zag leaf growth pattern is its most defining characteristic.Note the height of the plants; they remain tall, around 2-3 metres.The small clusters of creamy-white flowers.As the leaves fall, the canes or stems become more noticeable as most stay erect in situ.You may see some canes that have broken – they should be hollow and brown if it’s knotweed.
However, there are some plants in the UK that look similar, such as Russian Vine, Bindweed, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Broadleaf Dock and Dogwood.
The shovel shaped leaves start to turn yellow and orange in the autumn(Image: Getty)
Jennifer added: “To the untrained eye, knotweed can be easily passed by or ignored, mistaken for plants with similar structure or characteristics.
“So here’s my top 3 tips to help identify the real suspect: The knotweed flowers (which are prevalent right now) are creamy-white and very small, forming in tight clusters along thin stems.
“The zig-zag pattern of the upright canes is a clear indicator to look out for. They will be a darker green than in summer, but still have the mottled purple pattern.
“The leaves are smooth and have a distinct shovel-shape. Also, just a single leaf grows from each of the zig and zag nodes on the stems.
“These three characteristics make the Japanese knotweed plant stand out from other similar looking species and can make identification easier.
“It’s important to note that there are other knotweed species too – such as Himalayan knotweed – but that level of identification is best left to the experts. My main advice is – always get professional guidance to give you peace of mind.”
If you think you may have a knotweed infestation, Japanese Knotweed Ltd have a free identification service and you’ll be notified within 24 hours if you have the invasive weed.
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