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