Reynoutria multiflora


Reynoutria multiflora is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae. It is known as tuber fleeceflower and Chinese knotweed. It is native to central and southern China.

Description

Reynoutria multiflora is a herbaceous perennial vine growing to tall from a woody tuber. The leaves are long and broad, broad arrowhead-shaped, with an entire margin. The flowers are diameter, white or greenish-white, produced on short, dense panicles up to long in summer to mid autumn. The fruit is an achene long.

Traditional medicine

Reynoutria multiflora is listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is one of the most popular perennial traditional Chinese medicines. It is known as he shou wu in China and East Asia. Another name for the species is fo-ti. Overconsumption can lead to toxicity-induced hepatitis.

Chemistry

More than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from Reynoutria multiflora, and the major components have been determined to be stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, and others. Its extract contains a stilbene glycoside.