Graduation Project

Invasive species, also known as alien species, are plants that originally did not occur in the Netherlands. These exotics pose risks to our native biodiversity and ecosystems. Fighting these plants is often a goal that cannot be achieved.

For my graduation I focussed on the Japanese knotweed and the American Bird Cherry. The Japanese knotweed disrupts nature, backyard and infrastructure. The American Bird Cherry impoverishes nature areas and are therefore these plants are being challenged. During this project I researched whether these two exotic species might be useful for alternative uses.

The Japanese knotweed can grow up to 10 (!) Cm a day. This characteristic has inspired me to manipulate the growth of the plant and to let it grow in certain forms and shapes that can be harvested and applied in products in the winter when cured. The stems of these plants cure in the winter and this material that's left is comparable to bamboo.

The bark of American bird cherry contains tannin, that can be used in vegetable tanning leather. I experimented with fishskins.