SOMETIMES described as a modern-day Triffid, Japanese Knotweed, the scourge of the urban landscape, has been identified at an empty property in Ross town centre, and is ringing alarm bells for at least one resident. There are several hundred invasive plants in the UK, among them Japanese knotweed. Invasive, non-native species are now widely recognised as the second biggest threat to biodiversity worldwide. Japanese knotweed can block footpaths and damage concrete, tarmac, flood defences and the stability of river banks. For full report see Ross Gazette edition August 20th 2014.