The genus Sinictinogomphus was established by Fraser (1939) to receive clavatus and synonymised Ictnius phaleratus Selys with clavatus (Fabricius), which is the only other described member of the genus. Lieftinck (1942) considered Sinictinogomphus was a synonym of Ictinogomphus but Chao (1990) and subsequent authors have adopted Sinictinogomphus. Asahina (1986) and Hamalainen and Pinratana (1999) recognise the subspecies Sinictnogomphus clavatus phaleratus Selys from Thailand and Tsuda (2000) lists this subspecies from Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. The 'western' phaleratus race is smaller with less extensive foliaceous flaps on abdominal Segment 8. However, since the character states overlap through its range there appears to be little support for a distinct subspecies, Steinman (1997) considers phaleratus is a synonym.

Sinictinogomphus clavatus is a rather large gomphid. Both male and female have foliaceous flaps black and yellow on S8. Female is similar to the male in color & markings. 

S. clavatus is common over a large range from Nepal to Vietnam and eastern Russia. Its habitat is standing or still (lentic) water

It is common and widespread over a large area, through southwest, south, central and northeast China to Korea, Japan and southern, far eastern Russia. It is therefore assessed by IUCN Red List as Least Concern.