Japanese knotweed can cause serious problems for people across the country due to its rapid growth and ability to survive.
As a result, the plant is taken seriously in law and having some on your property can cause you problems. For example, if you plan on selling a house which has Japanese Knotweed on the grounds, you legally must declare it.
It is not illegal for you to have it on your property, but you must control it and prevent it from spreading. Many professional companies provide services for the removal of the plant.
Read More: Students in Leeds failing to attend school because of 'social struggles'
As for what it looks like, in Spring you can identify it by its reddish-purple shoots from crimson-pink buds at ground level. Throughout the year, it will grow rapidly and by Summer it will grow into dense strands of bamboo-like canes which can grow up to seven feet high.
Here is a map which shows how the Knotweed is spread across Leeds from Environet, Invasive Plant Specialists :
According to the map, there are hotspots across the actual city of Leeds, with many in and around the centre. In central Leeds there are 45 occurrences.
In some of the more outlying areas, the plant is also present. There are 40 recorded instances in Farsley and around 31 in Rothwell.
Read Next: