Huo tan mu is 'one' of the Chinese Knotweeds and depending on who you talk to and where they are from, you may get wildly different opinions as to it's Common name.

As a garden plant, it is quite happy living in those spots where little else will comfortably grow, and as long as the soil is aerated enough for it to develop it's remarkable root, it requires very little else.

It has a rambling habit that can be trained but does not always need to be.

Medicinally we substitute this herb for Flowery Knotweed which it is also 'known as' in some areas of China.