Polygonaceae FAMILY

Reynoutria multiflora

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

4/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people. Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].

Botanical Description

Reynoutria multiflorum is a perennial climbing plant growing from a woody, tuberous rootstock. It produces a cluster of much-branched, twining stems around 2 - 4cm in diameter and up to 4.5 metres high[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ] He Shou Wu is considered to be one of the most important Chinese herbal tonics and is widely used as a medicine. It is traded both locally and internationally, being commonly harvested from the wild and also cultivated for medicinal use in China, Japan and Korea[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. The plant is also sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - southeast China, Vietnam, Thailand.

HabitatMountain slopes, rock crevices, thickets in valleys; at elevations from 200 - 3,000 metres in China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. Woods, north to latitude 42° 30' north[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Along the banks of streams and in valley shrub thickets[ 147 Title A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Publication Author ? Publisher Running Press; Philadelphica. Year 1977 ISBN 0-914294-92-X Description A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods. ].