Taxonomy

Fallopia baldschuanica | Russian-vine

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not Assessed

First reported in the wild

1979

Invasiveness

Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact

Irish status

Established

Introduction pathways - 1

Escape from Confinement

Introduction pathways subclass - 1

Ornamental purpose

Invasive score

14

NAPRA Ireland risk assessed

No

Species Biology

Identification

Deciduous vine-like perennial, similar in appearance to bindweed, generally vigorous forming a mass of greenish red stems, 5-10m long (Booy et al., 2015).

Ecology

No studies to date are available on the ecology or impacts of Fallopia baldshuanica in its introduced range. Has the potential to outcompete native plants by vigorous growth (Booy et al., 2015).

Habitat

Grasslands and landscapes dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens; Heath, scrubland & tundra; Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats

Reproduction

Thought not to seed in Ireland or Britain (Booy et al.,2015). Has hybridised with the Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) to produce the Railway-yard knotweed (Fallopia x conollyana) (Bailey, 2001), though that species is thought to be rare in Britain and not recorded to date in Ireland (Bailey , 2001; Booy et al., 2015)

Pathway and vector description

Popular garden plant, still sold in Ireland under the synonym Fallopia aubertii and Polygonum aubertii. Used as a hedging plant introduced into the wild by spreading from plantings or through garden discards (Reynolds, 2002).

Mechanism of impact

Competition

Broad environment

Terrestrial

Habitat description

Generally found in hedgerows or waste ground (Reynolds, 2002).

Species group

Plant

Native region

Temperate Asia

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Irish distribution

Established - Widespread but localised. Rare but persistent or established in hedgerows spreading from plantings or discards (Reynolds, 2002). Distribution may be an artefact of recording effort.

Native distribution

Native to central Asia (Preston et al., 2002).

Temporal change

Date of first record category

1971-1980

Fifty year date category

1951-2000

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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How can you help

Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Do not buy or plant this species in your garden. Dispose of garden waste responsibly.

References

Publications

Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin. Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury. Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. (2002). New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press

Flora of Northern Ireland

Images