Persicaria chinensis - a new alien Asian invader?

摘要

A site of Qiinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis (L.) H.Gross (1913) was recently identified on eight properties in North Shore City, Auckland. This paper describes the response to this incursion. Early in September 2009 Auckland Regional Council (ARC) Biosecurity was called to a site in Glenfield on Auckland's North Shore to investigate an invasive weed growing rampantly along the boundary of several properties. Initially it was thought to be Asiatic knot-weed (Reynoutria japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decrane (1988)) (Webb et al. 1988) as it looked very similar However, closer inspection revealed several distinct differences with stem length and flower detail that raised doubt. Subsequent identification by Bill Sykes of Landcare Research Lincohi positively confirmed the plant to be Chinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis). This is the first recorded site in New Zealand.