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I came across this flower for the first time today on a Wildlife Trust site near Kidderminster and was surprised by how beautiful it is. But then my partner reminded that it's that plant that Philipa Forrester was uprooting on her husband river wildlife program.
Should we try to eradicated it as Japanese knotweed or just ignore it ?
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Hi Richard
Hard one to answer as there are mixed views as always with the Himalayam Balsam
I am sure that people will be for it, as well as opposed to it being over here, and colonising itself, then taking over areas as it has done so
At least the Bees like it for pollen.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Himalyan Balsam (or policemen's helmets!) is invasive but not destructive. As Kathy says, it is popular with insects! Japanese knotweed on the other hand is very destructive and hugely prolific too so should be destroyed (which is also nigh on impossible!) Nice shots!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Totally agree with Marjus on this issue
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Rockwolf said:Japanese knotweed on the other hand is very destructive and hugely prolific too so should be destroyed (which is also nigh on impossible!) Nice shots!
I agree with MarJus,
Pretty though it is, it needs disposing of!!
Cheers, Linda.
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The Wildlife Trust site where I spotted it had it all along the river banks and basically I couldn't see the water at all. There were no other plants growing as this plant seemed to be completely dominant. It appears to have prevented other native plants from growing - could this not be deemed as equally destructive as Japanese knotweed ?
Just a thought !
I agree Rhod, It is the fact that native species cannot grow as this plant dominates river banksides.
I do however think if it is carefully managed both invasive and native species can co exist but this causes for close inspection and I suppose that is much more costly.
thanks
Craig
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein
Well Japanese Knotweed is by all accounts much worse but it is said fairly easily killed by cutting down and leaving something like a 6 inch stem and injecting Roundup solution in the stem.
It's a shame that it's such a problem plant as it's really very pretty. Nice photos R.
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
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