Request for public to report Japanese Knotweed
Waterford City & County Council has commenced a project to control Japanese Knotweed in public open space and on public roads.
Members of the public are asked to report sightings of the invasive Japanese Knotweed by emailing details of the location to japaneseknotweed@waterfordcouncil.ie
What is Japanese Knotweed ?
Japanese knotweed is a non-native invasive perennial (plant that lives more than one year) species in Ireland. Since it was introduced as an ornamental plant in the 19th Century from Japan, it has spread across the UK and Ireland, particularly along watercourses, transport routes and infested waste areas.
It is rhizomatous (produces underground stems) with distinctive branched hollow, bamboo-like canes that can grow to over 3m in height. Red/purple shoots appear early in spring but as the canes grow, the leaves unfurl and the plant turns green. The mature canes are hollow and have a characteristic pattern of purple speckles. Flowering occurs in late summer/autumn and consists of creamy white flowers.
