Chinese fleecevine (Fallopia baldschuanica, Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 6: 176 (1971))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: (Regel) Holub

Bibliography: Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 6: 176 (1971)

Year: 1971

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Fallopia

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Afghanistan to C. Asia and W. Pakistan

Description

Chinese Fleecevine is an impressive, fast-growing vine known scientifically as Fallopia baldschuanica. The vigorous growth habit of this plant makes it a popular choice for quickly covering pergolas, arbors, and fences, providing a lush green appearance and a sense of privacy.

Native to regions stretching from eastern Afghanistan through central Asia to western Pakistan, Chinese Fleecevine has adapted to various climates and soils. This robust vine belongs to the Polygonaceae family, which includes several other hardy and adaptable plant species.

One of the most striking features of Chinese Fleecevine is its foliage. The plant boasts heart-shaped, bright green leaves that can form a dense canopy over structures. During the blooming season, it produces clusters of small, creamy white flowers that create an attractive contrast with the deep green leaves, adding to the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.

Chinese Fleecevine requires minimal maintenance once established. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can thrive in a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy, as long as there is good drainage. While it is relatively drought-tolerant, the plant performs best with regular watering during dry periods.

This vine can be a double-edged sword due to its rapid growth. Gardeners should take care to manage its spread, as it can potentially overwhelm other plants and structures if left unchecked. Regular pruning is advisable to maintain its shape and control its growth.

The historical and botanical relevance of Chinese Fleecevine is well documented. Notably, it was referenced in the publication Folia Geobotanica et Phytotaxonomica in 1971, consolidating its place within scientific literature. The taxonomic identification attributed to the vine follows the classification by the botanist Holub, building on the earlier work of Regel.

Overall, Chinese Fleecevine is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a visually appealing and fast-growing green screen. Its ornamental qualities, coupled with its hardiness, make it a versatile addition to various horticultural settings, provided it is managed with appropriate care and attention.

Common Names

Dan: arkitektens trøst, sølvregn
Deu: auberts heckenknoeterich, schling-flügelknöterich, schling-knöterich, silberregen
Eng: bukhara fleeceflower, chinese fleecevine, russian-vine, russianvine, mile-a-minute-vine, silver-lace-vine, russian vine
Ita: poligono del turkestan
Fra: renouée
Swe: bokharabinda, bokarabinda, silverregn
Ces: opletka
Hun: tadzsikiszalag (incl. kínaiiszalag)
Nld: chinese bruidssluier
Cym: clymog rwsia, taglys tibet
En: Chinese fleecevine, Russianvine, Silver-lace-vine, Mile-a-minute-vine, Bukhara fleeceflower, Russian-vine, Russian Vine
Zh: Mu teng shou wu
Cs: Opletka
Da: Arkitektens trøst, Sølvregn
Nl: Chinese bruidssluier
Fi: Muuritatar
Fr: Renouée grimpante, Renouée, Renouée du Turkestan, Vrillée de Bal’dzhuan
De: Schling-Flügelknöterich, Silberregen, Auberts Heckenknoeterich, Schling-Knöterich
Hu: Tadzsikiszalag (incl. kínaiiszalag)
It: Poligono del Turkestan
Ko: 중국닭의덩굴
Fa: پیچ برفی
Pl: Rdestówka bucharska
Es: Viña del Tíbet
Sv: Bokharabinda, Bokarabinda, Silverregn
Cy: Clymog Rwsia, Taglys Tibet

Synonyms

• Polygonum baldschuanicum (Regel)
• Tiniaria baldschuanica ((Regel) Hedberg ex Janch.)
• Bilderdykia baldschuanica ((Regel) D.A.Webb)
• Fagopyrum baldschuanicum ((Regel) Gross)
• Reynoutria baldschuanica ((Regel) Moldenke)
• Fallopia aubertii ((L.Henry) Holub)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Manu___ (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Manu___ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Manu___ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Lüdtke Allen Scott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2020 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Gilles Mutin (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Lüdtke Allen Scott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Manu___ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Gilles Mutin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Soledad marti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by An Cha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by zebbiddii (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 11, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Loup Ténébreux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 31, 2020 by Manuel Portela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2018 by Benjamin Verdickt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Jonas Bremer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pezzi Miguel Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Frank Vincentz (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5334351)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:694561-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Fallopia baldschuanica (Regel) Holub)

Specifications

Growth