Plant Life Survey
Fallopia japonicaJapanese Knotweed
Impatiens glandulifera Indian Balsam showing the seed pods with the "trigger" tip. Touch this when the pod is ripe and you explosively create the next generation of invasive plants.
Crassula helmsii (New Zealand Pygmyweed)
Invasive Species
Plantlife are doing a survey of invasive foreign plant species and would like our help. Specifically they want data on:
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica),
Indian Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
New Zealand Pygmyweed also known as Australian Swamp Stonecrop (Crassula helmsii).
Fallopia japonica (Old name Reynoutria japonica) is a perennial plant and can be found almost anywhere. It is capable of pushing through tarmac and once established is difficult to remove.
Impatiens glandulifera used to be associated with our rivers and canals but now it can be found on the verges of any country lane. It is an annual which propagates very efficiently by seed which bursts explosively from ripe pods.
Crassula helsmsii is often associated with still water and can be found in ponds or at the edge of them in huge mats and tussocks. It is a perennial plant.
Links
You can find out more from the Home page of Plant life:
or from the specific Invaders page of the plantlife Website.
or you can download the survey form from here:
Survey form download (You need Acrobat reader)
or you can complete the ONLINE survey form here:
This request has been made to the Wild Flower Society by
Katherine Stewart
People for Plants Officer
Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity
14 Rollestone Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 1DX
Plantlife are also campaigning to ban the sale of the most destructive plant invaders. If you would like to receive a postcard to complete, please email or phone Katherine.
Direct line: 01722 342756
Main tel: 01722 342730
Fax: 01722 329035
Email: KatherineStewart at plantlife.org.uk