Technical Note: (TN697) Invasive Plant Species – Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Skunk Cabbage

Technical Note: (TN697) Invasive Plant Species

An Invasive species is usually a non-native or introduced species that adversely affects habitats and threatens biodiversity.  While all species compete to survive, invasive species appear to have specific traits that allow them to out-compete native species and become dominant.

Invasive species can be plants, animals or insects. This technical note concentrates on the following invasive species which are currently expanding their Scottish range.

• Japanese knotweed
• Giant Hogweed
• Himalayan Balsam
• Skunk Cabbage