There are 27 species of terrestrial plant listed within the WCA for England & Wales, other than Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Giant hogweed. Other species include many common garden and landscaping plants e.g. Montbretia, Virginia creeper, Cotoneaster, Rhododendron, and Japanese rose.
Giant knotweed
Fallopia sachalinensis is very similar to Japanese knotweed in terms of its introduction to the UK and its behaviour; the species is larger however, and relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom in comparison to Japanese knotweed. This scarcity will not always be the case however, as incidences of Giant knotweed are on the rise, particularly along riverbanks and sea-loch shores.
Horsetail
The Horsetail plant family is an ancient family of vascular plants comprising approximately fifteen species within the genus Equisetum. In comparison to the other species Ebsford specialise in, Horsetail was not introduced in the Victorian era as an ornamental plant; it is found throughout the world, with fossils of 10m high plants being dated back some 325 million years. Horsetail is not listed under any legislation such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2, meaning there are no laws or government acts controlling its sale, spread or disposal. However, the species poses a barrier to developments due to its impacts on hardstanding, such as footpaths and driveways, as the rhizome system readily forms an extensive network, with the ability to exploit gaps within tarmac, creating fractures and damage to the surface. Horsetail is widely distributed in the UK in meadows, gardens and wasteland, often found within long grasses.
Rhododendron
Did you know? The Forestry Commission estimates that the species covers approximately 3.3% of Britain’s woodland.
Rhododendron ponticum is a non-native evergreen shrub, widespread across the UK and largely found along riverbanks, gardens, parks and heathlands. It was introduced in the late eighteenth century, for botanical gardens and as cover for game birds. The species tends to thrive in milder conditions and in poor, acidic soils.
It outcompetes native species with its thick leaf canopy which blocks light – in woodlands, only trees which can grow above its canopy will persist. This invasive nature means the species is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2.
Spanish Bluebell
Did you know? A study conducted by Plantlife found that 1 in 6 broadleaved woodlands in the UK contained Spanish bluebell, or a hybrid.
Hyacinthoides hispanica is a non-native bulbous perennial species, largely found in gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. Records of its presence date back to 1683, with the transition into the wild from gardens estimated to be in the early 1900s. It has the ability to outcompete the native English bluebell, with its sturdier structure and capability to thrive in direct sunlight. This invasive nature means the species is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2.
Three-cornered garlic
Allium triquetrum, or three-cornered garlic, is a bulbous, perennial non-native invasive plant; it is more prominent in the south of England due to the mild climate. It is believed that the species was first established in Guernsey in 1849, after being introduced from the Mediterranean. The species emits a garlic fragrance when fresh and crushed, and is most commonly found along roadsides, hedgerows, riverbanks, woodlands and wastelands.
Cotoneaster
Varieties of Cotoneaster are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 rev. 2, meaning it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause them to grow in the wild. The majority of non-native Cotoneaster species are native to east Asia; the species is best described as a large group of small trees and prostrate shrubs, that can either be evergreen or deciduous. There are over 100 species of Cotoneaster cultivated in the UK but only those listed below are included on Schedule 9:
Variegated yellow archangel
This herbaceous perennial species, Lamium galeobdolon, is a relative of dead-nettles, most commonly found in shady habitats such as woodland edges, hedgerows, roadside bankings or watercourse bankings. It is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 rev. 2, meaning it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause it to grow in the wild. It is believed to be native to Europe, and is widely found throughout Europe and West Asia.
Japanese Rose
Japanese rose, or rosa rugosa, is a woody perennial shrub, most commonly found in hedgerows, road verges, sea-cliffs and waste ground – although native to East Asia, the species has become naturalised in the UK, and its incidence in the wild is ever-increasing. The species’ hardiness means it can flourish in various conditions; if uncontrolled, the species forms dense thickets, reducing biodiversity as it prevents other species from flourishing. As such, it is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and False Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta) are vigorous deciduous and decorative climbers, often favoured for the deep red colours the leaves turn in autumn. Both species are listed within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2. The species are native to North America, introduced to the UK as an ornamental climber some time before 1824.
Montbretia
Montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmifoliawas) is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2, and as such, it is an offence to plant or otherwise allow the species to grow in the wild. The species which was created in France from parent species of South African origin and introduced to the UK in 1880 as a garden plant. It escaped in 1911, and rapidly became widespread across the UK towards the latter half of the 1900s. Montbretia is most commonly found in hedgerows, road verges, river and lake bankings, woods and wasteland.
Giant rhubarb
Giant rhubarb (gunnera tinctoria) is a perennial native to South America, introduced as an ornamental plant to the UK in the 19th century; it has since become naturalised in various locations throughout lowland UK and is deemed to be highly invasive, and thus is listed under Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) rev. 2.
For more information and help in identifying these terrestrial invasive species, please see our fact sheets located in the Advice & Guides section.
