Japanese knotweed: why is it so damaging and can it be stopped?

Since it was introduced to the UK in 1850, Japanese knotweed has
gone from novel ornamental plant to rampant invasive species.
Madeleine Finlay speaks to journalist Samanth Subramanian about the
huge costs associated with finding it on a property, and Dr Sophie
Hocking explains what the plant, and our attempts to control it,
might be doing to the environment.. Help support our independent
journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod