ABSTRACT: Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is commonly used as a wild vegetable in Japan, Korea and North-East China. On Sakhalin Island and the Kuril Islands it has also been adopted by the Russian population, and used there differently than in Japan. The paper reports a case of the use of this feral invasive ornamental plant in Europe, in the Białowieża Forest. In the village of Budy people began using the plant in 1920. It is associated with changes of place of residence and restricted access to agricultural products. The use of the plant started with children experimenting by eating it and adding it to cakes, as it reminded them of rhubarb. Continuation of use depends on the commitment of the community to the tradition. The plant is still used by a few inhabitants of Budy and of the county town of Hajnówka.
Key words: invasive plants, children, wild food plants, wild edible plants, new uses, ethnobotany
