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Bistorta vivipara - L.

Common Name Alpine Bistort
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been made for this species, there have been reports that some members of this genus can cause photosensitivity in susceptible people. Many species also contain oxalic acid (the distinctive lemony flavour of sorrel) - whilst not toxic this substance can bind up other minerals making them unavailable to the body and leading to mineral deficiency. Having said that, a number of common foods such as sorrel and rhubarb contain oxalic acid and the leaves of most members of this genus are nutritious and beneficial to eat in moderate quantities. Cooking the leaves will reduce their content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].
Habitats Mountain grassland and wet rocks[17].
Range Arctic and northern regions of Europe, including Britain, Asia and America. On mountains in south.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Bistorta vivipara Alpine Bistort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Slaunger
Bistorta vivipara Alpine Bistort
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Olei

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Bistorta vivipara is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Bistorta vivipara. (L.)S.F.Gray.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[62, 172]. They have a pleasant tart taste when cooked[85]. Seed - raw or cooked[172]. The seed is not often produced and even when it is, it is rather small and fiddly to utilize. It is rich in starch[91]. It is pickled in Nepal[272]. Root - raw or cooked[2, 61, 62, 91]. Starchy and pleasant but rather small[85, 161, 172]. Sweet, nutty and wholesome[183]. They taste best when roasted[183]. Bulbils from lower part of flowering stem - raw[62].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The root is astringent and styptic[172, 240]. It is used in the treatment of abscesses, as a gargle to treat sore throats and spongy gums, and as a lotion for ulcers[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[200]. Repays generous treatment[1]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Plants do not often produce viable seed, reproducing by means of bulbils formed on the lower portion of the flowering stem. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Amur, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia, Gansu Sheng, Georgia, Guizhou Sheng, Habarovskij kraj, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hokkaidô, Honshu, Hubei Sheng, Japan, Jilin Sheng, Kamcatskij kraj, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Liaoning Sheng, Magadanskaja oblast, Mongolia, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Primorye, Qinghai Sheng, Russian Federation, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Sakhalin, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Tajikistan, Western Siberia, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng,Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia. TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (north), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Greenland, United States, Alaska, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont, Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Polygonum bistortaBistort, Meadow bistort, SnakeweedPerennial0.5 4-7 FLMHSNMWe332

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

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