The tree has roots that grow 7 meters long. Asians love it, but Europeans are afraid of it and no one dares to plant it.

This precious Asian medicinal plant has repeatedly caused nightmares in countries such as the Netherlands and England.

Reynoutria japonica (scientific name: Reynoutria japonica) is a familiar plant in Oriental medicine, extremely loved by East Asian countries such as Japan, China and Korea. This species is often known as a medicine to treat rheumatism, bone and joint pain, acne, itching and many other diseases.

The stem of the Chinese clematis plant resembles a bamboo stem, the plant is 3-4 meters tall, the bark is dotted with pink spots and has a lot of water inside. The Chinese clematis plant has a very strong vitality, grows quickly in the spring and does not like cold winters. Although it is an economic plant in many localities such as southern China, for European countries or the US, the Chinese clematis plant is a real nightmare.

Invasive Plant Disaster

In the mid-19th century, the rhizome of the plant was introduced from Japan to the Netherlands as a rare plant. Initially, it appeared in a controlled range, but then the plant grew too aggressively, invading many countries and regions.

In the UK in particular , old bones are a curse. Elderly couple Liz and Adrian Atkinson, living in Belfast, UK, worked hard for many years to own their dream home.

British couple terrified of bone invasion. (Photo: Belfasttelegraph).

But just a short time later, they were terrified when the plant grew up in large numbers from under the cement floor and cracks in the tiles. Even though they used high doses of herbicide, they could not completely eradicate the plant.

As time passed, the couple's Belfast home was invaded by 40% of the plant, the property, which was worth 300,000 pounds, now dropped in value to only 60,000 - 70,000 pounds, making the couple "cry without tears".

Many places resort to chemical herbicides, which are not only expensive but also require repeated spraying over several years to be effective. The cost of clearing a small patch of land where the plant grows can run into the thousands of pounds. In the UK, as of 2012, the value of properties affected by the plant had dropped by a total of $25 billion.

Growing constantly, roots 7 meters long

Today, the plant can be found all over Britain, in homes, on railways, motorways and bridges, growing and destroying the cement and concrete foundations of buildings.

Research results show that this abnormal invasion originates from three main causes.

The plant grows very fast and strongly. (Photo: Sohu).

• Firstly , the Chinese skullcap is a vigorous reproductive plant, it reproduces by seeds and rhizomes, the seeds are relatively small so they are often blown away by the wind for dozens of meters. The roots can also grow extremely strong, up to 7 meters long underground without any damage. Just a 10cm long root can continue to germinate into a new seedling, this growth is truly terrifying!
• Second , although the tubers of the plant are edible, most insects and birds do not like to eat them. This has caused them to grow too strongly, disrupting the ecological balance in many European countries.
• The third reason is that England is surrounded by the sea on all sides and is influenced by the oceanic climate. The climate is warm all year round, so the Euphorbia hirta can grow strongly in England.

Destroyed both asphalt roads and many buildings in the UK. (Photo: Sohu).

So how can we control this invasive species? Scientists have discovered a sap-sucking lice species in Japan called Aphalara itadori that can naturally eradicate the plant, but this species has not yet appeared in Europe.

Europe is currently considering whether to introduce this insect into farming, but of course before that, they also need to study it carefully to avoid the sap-sucking louse becoming a new invasive disaster.

Turning Invasive Plants into Delicacies

In many places in China, the Chinese bone marrow is harmless. Not only is it not hated, it is also a "natural snack" for people. People often choose the youngest part of the stem, peel off the outer skin, mix it with chili powder, salt and vinegar to create a sweet and sour, crunchy dish.

In many southwestern regions of China, the young stems of this tree are also used to stir-fry and make soup. In Guizhou, sour soup with monkey bone is a specialty that people will never forget.

In China, the root bone marrow has been turned into a delicacy that many people love. (Photo: Sohu).

The value of the root of the Chinese clematis root does not stop at its deliciousness. In the "Compendium of Materia Medica " it is recorded that the root of the Chinese clematis root has the effect of promoting blood circulation, clearing heat and detoxifying, treating coughs and relieving asthma. In modern medicine, the resveratrol component in the rhizome of the Chinese clematis root, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-aging effects, is widely used in the research and development of drugs and functional foods.

Chinese Radix Achyranthes, a plant considered a "disaster" abroad, has become a very interesting delicacy in China. This demonstrates the Chinese people's unique ability to exploit natural resources and can also be considered a method of dealing with invasive plants worth learning.