WANTED
Japanese Knotweed
Scientific Name
Fallopia Japonica
Last Seen
Fallopia Japonica
Identifying Characteristics
- Resembles bamboo
- Capable of reaching 1-3 meters in height
- Stems has a bamboo-like appearance
- Stems are round, reddish-purple, and smooth
- Leaves are ovate with a flat base and pointed tips, reaching 3-6 inches long and 2-5 inches
- Flowers are greenish-white
- Fruits are small and white with wings that help to disperse seeds to new sites
- Seeds are brown and shiny
Last Seen
- Native to eastern Asia
- Can be found in southern and eastern areas in Ontario where it grows in gardens, along roadsides, near old buildings and/or former building sites
First Offence and Known Accomplices
- First introduced in the 1800's
- Used as an ornamental species and planted for erosion control
Crimes Committed
- Difficult to control
- Spreads very quickly
- Creates dense thickets that trouble wildlife habitats
- Persistent plant with aggressive root system that can break through concrete and asphalt
- Large population; able to survive floods & cold winters and recolonize areas
- Can grow along riverbanks, where pieces of roots break off and flow downstream to start new populations
- Competes with other native plants
- Leaves thick layers of decomposing stems and leaves on the ground making it difficult for native plants to grow
Attempts at Capture
- Due to its ferocious growing rate, it was extremely difficult to control
- Control agents are brought over from the original habitat
- Bugs are unable to attack invasive plant due to different climates
- Ontario works with other provinces, the federal government and American governments to prevent spread of invasive plants
REWARD FOR CAPTURE: $900 000
- Fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can all be affected by this aggressive plant
- Every year, invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries about $7.3 billion
- Fighting & preventing the spread of invasive species is extremely expensive
- Removing plants from highways and gardens is very difficult due to its ferocious root system
If seen, please contact
Email: info@invadingspecies.com
Website: www.eddmaps.org/ontario
Phone: 1-800-563-7711