Invasive Species
Introduction
A number of species exist which can be harmful either to animals, property or the environment by way of their invasive or toxic nature. These are likely to be covered either by the Weeds Act 1959 or by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The primary contact concerning these weeds is the landowner, the Council as the highway authority for those growing on roadside verges, Railtrack for those on railway lines and land and DEFRA for any other land.
- Weeds Act 1959
- Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
- Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
- Curled Dock (Rumex crispus)
- Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
- Spear Thistle (Cirisium vulgare)
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
- Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica)
Although the primary responsibility for weeds covered under this act lies with the landowner, DEFRA can take action if there is a risk that the plants might spread to neighbouring land. It is not actually illegal to have any of the five species growing on plots of land, however. These species are:
- Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
- Broad leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
- Curled dock (Rumex crispus)
- Creeping or field thistle (Cirsium arvense)
- Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
This species, covered by the 1959 Weeds Act, is one of the most common causes of poisoning in horses and cattle, with toxic effects on the animal's liver and digestive tract.
The plant can be recognised as either a dense rosette of leaves close to the ground or from June onwards, as an upright plant between 30-100cm tall with flat-topped clusters of daisy-like flower heads up to 2.5cm across.
Ragwort can be removed by hand pulling, cutting, spraying or ploughing, the latter options being the most effective.
Further advice can be found in the Code of Practice on How to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort by DEFRA.
Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
This common plant is often found on field edges and disturbed ground Seedlings have opposite pairs of diamond shaped leaves from September onwards, with the mature leaves unrolling into a oval or elongated heart shape leaf up to 25cm long in the summer. Flowering stems from late June may be up to 150cm tall, with numerous clusters of reddy-brown flowers.
This common plant is often found on waste ground and roadsides and its seedlings appear similar to those of the broad-leaved dock, but with a more pointed tip. The leaves of the adult plant are narrower and longer than the broad-leaved dock with wavy edges. During flowering, from late June onwards, plants may reach 100 - 200cm in height, with dense flower and seed clusters.
Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
This perennial plant has young leaves with wavy edges and hairs on the upper surface. Adult plants have flowering stems from July to September with loose clusters of purple flowers. Leaves are strongly spined with a waxy upper and cottony undersides.
Spear Thistle (Cirisium vulgare)
Also known as the common thistle or Scotch thistle, this biennial plants has seedlings with longer and more bristly surfaces than the creeping thistle. Flowering stems may reach 30-100cm in height with cottony stems and spiny leaves. The flowers, from July onwards, are loose purple clusters up to 5cm across.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Section 14(2) of this legislation covers a range of other species, including Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and several species of seaweed listed in Schedule 9, Section II. Under this law,
"It is an offence for a person to plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any plant on Schedule 9 (Part 2)".
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica)
Introduced into the UK in the mid-19th century as an ornamental plant, this highly invasive species has now become a serious problem in many areas, displacing native flora and causing structural damage.
It can be recognised as red/purple shoots which appear in spring, uncurling and growing into green canes up to 3m in height. Late summer flowering produces clusters of creamy-white flowers, with canes then dying off during late autumn into winter.
Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is illegal to spread Japanese knotweed and soil that could contain it must be disposed of at a licensed landfill site. The responsibility for controlling this species lies with the landowner or tenant of the land.
Advice on controlling Japanese knotweed is available from the NetRegs website..
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