Invasive Plant Species
The Government has acknowledged the problems that can be caused by non-native invasive species. In 2008 the Government launched “The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain”. The strategy provides a framework for a more co-ordinated approach to invasive species management. It seeks to create a stronger sense of shared responsibility across government, key orgainisations, land managers and the public.
The Non-Native Species Secretariat has been established to oversee the implementation of the strategy. Details of the secretariat including risk assessments and action plans for some species are available at www.nonnativespecies.org
In general, there are four basic methods of controlling weeds; mechanical, chemical, natural and environmental.
Mechanical control includes cultivation, hoeing, pulling, cutting, raking, dredging or other methods to uproot or cut weeds. Where this method is used all plant material must be considered “controlled waste” and must be disposed of properly.
Chemical control uses approved herbicides
Natural control uses pests and diseases of the target weed to weaken it and prevent it from becoming a nuisance
Environmental control works by altering the environment to make it less suitable for weed growth, for example by increasing or decreasing water velocity.
Invasive species listed under Schedule 9 are prohibited from release into the wild. Schedule 9, Section 14(2) prohibits ‘planting’ or ‘causing to grow’ in the wild of any plant listed in Part 2 of Schedule 9.
The following is a list of all the species of plant listed under Schedule 9 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | England & Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexanders, Perfoliate | Smyrnium perfoliatum | ||
| Algae, Red | Grateloupia luxurians | ||
| Archangel, Variegated Yellow | Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. Argentatum | ||
| Azalea, Yellow | Rhododendron luteum | ||
| Balsam, Himalayan | Impatiens glandulifera | ||
| Cotoneaster | Cotoneaster horizontalis | ||
| Cotoneaster, Entire Leaved | Cotoneaster integrifolius | ||
| Cotoneaster, Himalayan | Cotoneaster simonsii | ||
| Cotoneaster, Hollyberry | Cotoneaster bullatus | ||
| Cotoneaster, Small Leaved | Cotoneaster microphyllus | ||
| Creeper, False Virginia | Parthenocissus inserta | ||
| Creeper, Virginia | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | ||
| Dewplant, Purple | Disphyma crassifolium | ||
| False-acacia | Robinia pseudoacacia | ||
| Fanwort | Cabomba caroliniana | ||
| Fern, Water | Azolla filiculoides | ||
| Fig, Hottentot | Carpobrotus edulis | ||
| Garlic, Three-Cornered | Allium triquetrum | ||
| Hogweed, Giant | Heracleum mantegazzianum | ||
| Hyacinth, water | Eichhornia crassipes | ||
| Kelp, Giant | Macrocystis angustifolia | ||
| Kelp, Giant | Macrocystis integrifolia | ||
| Kelp, Giant | Macrocystis laevis | ||
| Kelp, Giant | Macrocystis pyrifera | ||
| Kelp, Japanese | Laminaria japonica | ||
| Knotweed, Giant | Fallopia sachalinensis | ||
| Knotweed, Hybrid | Fallopia japonica x Fallopia sachalinensis | ||
| Knotweed, Japanese | Fallopia japonica | ||
| Knotweed, Japanese | Polygonum cuspidatum | ||
| Leek, Few-flowered | Allium paradoxum | ||
| Lettuce, water | Pistia stratiotes | ||
| Montbretia | Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora | ||
| Parrot's-feather | Myriophyllum aquaticum | ||
| Pennywort, Floating | Hydrocotyle ranunculoides | ||
| Potato, Duck | Sagittaria latifolia | ||
| Primrose, Floating Water | Ludwigia peploides | ||
| Primrose, Water | Ludwigia grandiflora | ||
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron ponticum | ||
| Rhubarb, Giant | Gunnera tinctorial | ||
| Rose, Japanese | Rosa rugosa | ||
| Salvinia, Giant | Salvinia molesta | ||
| Seafingers, Green | Codium fragile | ||
| Seafingers, Green | Codium fragile tomentosoides | ||
| Seaweed, Californian Red | Pikea californica | ||
| Seaweed, Hooked Asparagus | Asparagopsis armata | ||
| Seaweed, Japanese | Sargassum muticum | ||
| Seaweeds, Laver (except native species) | Porphyra sp. except - P. amethystea P. leucosticta P. linearis P. miniata P. purpurea P. umbilicalis |
||
| Shallon | Gaultheria shallon | ||
| Stonecrop, Australian swamp | Crassula helmsii | ||
| Wakame | Undaria pinnatifida | ||
| Waterweed, Curly | Lagarosiphon major | ||
| Waterweeds | All species of the genus Elodea |
