Looks can be deceiving (From Free Press Series)

Looks can be deceiving

THEY may look beautiful, but these exotic plants are strangling the banks of the River Wye and killing native flowers.

Swathes of Himalayan Balsam have invaded the banks of the Wye between Hereford and Chepstow and conservationists now fear the plant could wipe out the areas native flora.

The attractive plant, which has fragrant pink flowers and bright green leaves, has made the Wye Valley appear full of colour this summer.

But the weed grows to six feet in dense clumps and overshadows the natural species of plant along the river, a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSI). When the weeds die back in the winter, they can leave parts of the bank exposed, making it more likely to erode.

Other plants invading the Wye Valley are Japanese Knotweed, a tall plant with white feathery flowers, and Giant Hogweed, a member of the carrot family and grows to 12 feet high.

Andrew Nixon, community links officer for the Wye Valley AONB, said: "These plants form very dense clumps which overshadow the natural species and all the flora underneath is outcompeted. We are loosing natural habitats because this species is taking over.

"Himalayan Balsam is particularly common and it is on long stretches of the river bank in many areas. But it can also live in woodland areas where it is shady and damp.

"Japanese Knotweed is widespread and Giant Hogweed is still a fairly uncommon problem."

The Wye Valley AONB are so concerned about the problem, they are recruiting volunteers to survey the weeds, which will allow them to monitor its future spread.

The Wye Valley AONB hope to target areas for localised control of the weed and say mapping the problem will allow them to take advantage of any future means of controlling the problem.

Volunteers will be asked to walk the riverside with maps and highlighters to identify the areas that have been invaded.

For more information or to sign up for the survey, contact Andrew Nixon on 01600 710844.