Giant knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis, T.Mori, Enum. Pl. Corea: 135 (1922))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: (F.Schmidt) Nakai

Bibliography: T.Mori, Enum. Pl. Corea: 135 (1922)

Year: 1922

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Reynoutria

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Sakhalin to N. & C. Japan, Korea (Ulleung-do)

Description

Giant knotweed, scientifically known as Reynoutria sachalinensis, is a member of the Polygonaceae family. This perennial plant is distinguished by its towering stature and lush, green foliage. Originating from S. Sakhalin to Northern and Central Japan, its range extends through Korea, specifically Ulleung-do island, evidencing its adaptability to various climatic conditions.

The history of giant knotweed’s classification dates back to its initial enumeration by T. Mori in 1922. However, it was F. Schmidt’s identification and Nakai’s subsequent authorship that solidified its place in botanical literature. This fascinating plant thrives primarily in moist, riverine environments, often forming dense thickets that dominate the landscape.

Giant knotweed is recognized not only for its impressive size but also for its environmental significance. Although it is an imposing species in its native range, it has been introduced to other parts of the world, where it sometimes impacts local ecosystems profoundly. Its rapid growth and resilience make it a plant of interest, both for its ecological role and potential challenges in non-native settings.

In summary, Reynoutria sachalinensis is a notable plant within the Polygonaceae family, celebrated for its grandeur and biological adaptability across different regions in East Asia.

Common Names

Eng: giant knotweed, sacaline, sakhalin knotweed, elephant-ear, sachaline knotweed
Dan: kæmpe-pileurt
Deu: sachalin-flügelknöterich, sachalin-staudenknöterich
Swe: jätteslide, jättitatar
Fin: jättitatar
Nob: kjempeslirekne
Nno: kjempeslirekne
Ita: poligono di sakhalin
Fra: renouée des sakhalines, renouée de sakhaline
En: Giant knotweed, Sakhalin knotweed, Sacaline, Sachaline knotweed, Elephant-ear, Sakhalian Knotweed
Da: Kæmpe-pileurt
Nl: Sachalinse Duizenknoop
Fi: Jättitatar
Fr: Renouée des Sakhalines, Renouée de Sakhaline
De: Sachalin-Flügelknöterich, Sachalin-Staudenknöterich, Riesen-Knöterich
It: Poligono di Sakhalin
Nb: Kjempeslirekne
Nn: Kjempeslirekne
Sv: Jätteslide, Jättitatar

Synonyms

• Polygonum sachalinense (F.Schmidt)
• Tiniaria sachalinensis ((F.Schmidt) Janch.)
• Reynoutria brachyphylla ((Honda) Nakai)
• Fallopia sachalinensis ((F.Schmidt) Ronse Decr.)
• Pleuropterus sachalinensis ((F.Schmidt) Moldenke)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by profesorikebara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by char London (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Jef Vanoverschelde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Laurence Bergeron Bolzer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2018 by wikiwel (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Rob Taf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Hans Blomberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2021 by Rob Taf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by Hana Kuchaříková (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Katja Bayer (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2019 by D. H. (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Jean Pierre Payen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 6, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by Onno den Boon (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by laure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2019 by D. H. (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (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/2889088)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:696697-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Reynoutria sachalinensis (F.Schmidt) Nakai)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 8