Week 1: Fallopia Japonica; Japanese Knotweed.

pH 7.5 - ALKALINE

Common Name: Japanese Knotweed

Latin Name: Fallopia Japonica

Type: Perennial

Location: Oldham, Manchester. 

Ultimate height: Up to 2m

Located Fallopia Japonica height: 400mm 

Leaf Shape: Large triangular deltoid shape leaves distributed on bamboo like red cane stems

Bark: No bark, stems are bamboo like and vary in colour from red, brown to green.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruit has a papery texture. Flowers are of a whitish colour, pendulous spikes grow from base of the leaf between August and October. 

Distribution: Japanese Knotweed is rare throughout the UK, however it does colonise on wayside areas.


I located this specie on a brownfield site, specifically within a mound of rubble. It was of a young age and had managed to grow through the stone, brick and soil heap. Fallopian Japonica has a reputation of being able to grow in almost any conditions, especially wastelands and brownfield sites like the one displayed above. It is very difficult to permanently remove the weed, as you have to use chemical killer to penetrate its root system. Chopping of its stem above ground cannot be regarded as a temporary measure, as it is only a means of prolonging its growth.  

Week 0: Convolvulus Arvensis; Morning Glory.

Common Name: Morning Glory

Latin Name: Convulvulus Arvensis 

Type: Perennial

Location: Oldham, Manchester. 

Ultimate height: Up to 3m 

Ultimate spread: N/A

Located Convolvulus Arvensis height: 2m

Overall shape: Twines in and around other plants.

Leaf Shape: Arrow shaped with a long stalk, 2-5 cm long. 

Bark: No bark, weekend green stemmed weed.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits varied in size but are capsules. Flowers are either white or pink with thick white stripes between June and September. They can vary between 15-30mm across and possess a funnel shape.

Distribution: Widespread and common throughout UK except northern Scotland. 

I located this specie on a residential street in Oldham, Manchester. This bed consists solely of this specie, and Equisetum Arvense; another plant in this blog. It has self seeded and is of good health which in this case, isn't something of a desirable nature. This specie of plant is in fact a weed, and one that is very difficult to be removed. A weed is something that can be classed as unpleasant and of a wild nature, growing in unwanted areas, such as the one displayed above. Due to the intense removal methods required and the low maintenance levels of the area it is situated within, this plant is likely to survive and expand in quantity over a long period of time. The Convolvulus Arvensis dominates this neglected area through choking other specie; climbing and twining in and around the stems of other plants, giving no chance of growth for other variation of plant. 

Malus Domestica; Apple

Common Name: Apple

Latin Name: Malus Domestica

Type: Deciduous

Location: Levenshulme

Ultimate height: 4 – 8m

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Malus Domestica height: 2m

Overall shape: Fan shaped

Leaf Shape: Elliptical shaped with a rounded base. Toothed margin with a slightly pointed tip. Up to 13 cm long.

Bark: Mousey brown/greyish most often fissured

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained sand, clay or loam.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits varied in size/shapes along with the colour. Generally have 5cm width in diameter. Flowers white/tinged pink colour. Growth in stalked clusters.

Distribution: Regularly found scattered across Ireland and Britain throughout cultivation gardens and orchids.

This particular Malus Domestica was found within a community orchid amongst a dividing fence. Its fruit is highly distinctive which enabled me to identify the treeIn close proximity to the tree was a greenhouses, housing chillies and other managed vegetables. Its condition seemed very healthy judging by the fruit produced although its growth seemed to need assisting as a result of the wood tied to its trunk. The ground conditions were moist but loose. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Malus Domestica

Sorbus Aria; Whitebeam

Common Name: Whitebeam

Latin Name: Sorbus Aria

Type: Deciduous

Location: Highfield Park

Ultimate height: 8 – 12m

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Sorbus Aria height: 4m

Overall shape: Spreading or domed crown

Leaf Shape: Hairy, oval shaped and sometimes with toothed or shallowly lobed margins. Undersides of leaves bright white in colour when first opened, gradually becoming greener in colour as the upper surface falls downwards.

Bark: Grey in colour, either ridged or smooth.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained loam, sand, clay or chalk.

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits are 1.5cm in length, ovoid shape. Red in colour by September furthering appearing in white stalked clusters by May.

Distribution: Native to southern Britain

This particular Sorbus Aria is located amongst a mixed woodland in close proximity to a small stream. Surrounding the tree is a grid like pattern of multiple Sorbus Aria proving the planting of this tree to be intentional. The ground conditions were very moist, potentially from the heavy rainfall. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 6.0 indicating the soil to be Acidic

pH chart (GARDENERS mate)

My illustration of the Sorbs Aria