Japanese Knotweed

If you've ever seen a plant grow out of a gap in the pavement, you might have wondered how it did it. You might think that the crack in the pavement was caused by weather or shifting dirt, and the plant took advantage of the opportunity. However, this is not how Japanese Knotweed operates. This plant can grow practically anyplace and will even break through cement and stone.

Knotweed can survive in areas with no light for up to 20 years. It may grow beneath paved roadways, break through, and even grow through stone walls. It already costs roughly $212 million each year in damages and is expected to get worse in the future. The plant is native to Japan's volcanic zones. It evolved to be able to grow in the dark and confined by stone while being smothered by volcanic rock. When you try to remove it, the plant becomes more aggressive and grows even faster. It is nearly tough to kill since the roots can grow up to 10 meters from the stem.