The Importance of Researching Japanese Knotweed

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In May 2019, the Science and Technology Committee criticized the overly cautious approach we take to knotweed in the UK. Samantza Brahmanian: "You definitely do develop some sort of admiration for it" The plant has just done what its biological nature impels it to do, which is spread and grow and reproduce,. It isn't sort of a sentient being, it is merely trying to live," he says.

Since it was introduced to the UK in 1850, Japanese knotweed has gone from novel ornamental plant to rampant invasive species. Madeleine Finlay speaks to journalist Samanth Subramanian about the huge costs associated with finding it on a property, and Dr Sophie Hocking explains what the plant, and our attempts to control it, might be doing to the environment.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod