Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 1800s. It is commonly found along railway lines, riverbanks, roads, footpaths, in graveyards on derelict sites or anywhere that it has been dumped, dropped or deposited.

The key source is the Environment Agency’s 'Managing Japanese knotweed on development sites: the knotweed code of practice' which offers advice on managing land infested by the plant. It also highlights details of legislation covering the management and disposal of the plant, provides ecological information including photographs and provides a flow chart for suggested treatment and removal. The code, together with other information on managing the plant and other invasive species, is available on the Environment Agency website.

The Japanese Knotweed Alliance's website provides useful background information on the plant and offers solutions on how to control it. The Alliance consists of a number of organisations including CABI, Welsh Development Agency, Environment Agency, National Botanic Garden of Wales, British Waterways and Defra.

This hot topic brings together sources of information including a number of journal articles.

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