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Polygonum bistorta - L.

Common Name Bistort, Meadow bistort, Snakeweed
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 4-7
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 Damp meadows and by water, especially on acid soils[13, 17].
Range Northern and central Europe, including Britain, mountains of S. Europe, western and central Asia.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Polygonum bistorta Bistort, Meadow bistort, Snakeweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:279_Polygonum_bistorta_L.jpg
Polygonum bistorta Bistort, Meadow bistort, Snakeweed
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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. UPDATE 6/01/2012: Polygonum bistorta L. is a synonym of Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp. Form: Irregular or sprawling, Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Polygonum bistorta is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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 and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Persicaria bistorta, Bistorta officinalis

Plant Habitats

 Meadow; Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 7, 9, 103]. One report says that they are rather bitter[5], but we have found them to have a fairly mild flavour, especially when the leaves are young, though the texture is somewhat chewy when they are eaten raw[7, K]. They make an excellent substitute for spinach[183]. In Northern England the leaves are an ingredient of a bitter Lenten pudding, called Easter ledger pudding, that is eaten at Lent[183]. The leaves are available from late winter in most years and can be eaten until the early autumn though they become much tougher as the season progresses[K]. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A and C[257], a nutritional analysis is available[218]. Seed - raw or cooked[172]. The seed is very small and rather fiddly to utilize[K]. Root - raw or cooked[7, 172, 257]. Rich in starch and tannin, it is steeped in water and then roasted in order to reduce the tannin content[4, 115]. It is then said to be a tasty and nutritious food[4]. The root has also been boiled or used in soups and stews[183] and can be dried then ground into a powder and used in making bread[4]. The root contains 30% starch, 1% calcium oxalate and 15 - 36% tannin[218].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Fresh weight)
  • 0 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 82.6%
  • Protein: 3g; Fat: 0.8g; Carbohydrate: 7.9g; Fibre: 3.2g; Ash: 2.4g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes:

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.
Antidiarrhoeal  Astringent  Cholera  Demulcent  Diuretic  Dysentery  Epilepsy  Febrifuge  
Laxative  Styptic

Bistort is one of the most strongly astringent of all herbs and it is used to contract tissues and staunch blood flow[254]. The root is powerfully astringent, demulcent, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative and strongly styptic[4, 218]. It is gathered in early spring when the leaves are just beginning to shoot, and then dried[4]. It is much used, both internally and externally, in the treatment of internal and external bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera etc[4, 9, 13, 21, 147, 165, 172]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of complaints including catarrh, cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis and excessive menstruation[238, 254]. Externally, it makes a good wash for small burns and wounds, and is used to treat pharyngitis, stomatitis, vaginal discharge, anal fissure etc[238, 254]. A mouth wash or gargle is used to treat spongy gums, mouth ulcers and sore throats[254]. The leaves are astringent and have a great reputation in the treatment of wounds[4]. In Chinese medicine the rhizome is used for: epilepsy, fever, tetanus, carbuncles, snake and mosquito bites, scrofula and cramps in hands and feet [301]. Considered useful in diabetes [301].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin

The roots contain up to 21% tannin[223].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Ground cover. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[200]. The plant repays generous treatment[1]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[187]. Bistort was formerly cultivated as a medicinal and edible plant[4], though it has now fallen into virtual disuse. Plants are somewhat spreading, forming quite extensive colonies[187] especially in low-lying pastures[4]. They seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Edible, Not North American native, Invasive, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers. 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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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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: Anhui Sheng, Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia, Gansu Sheng, Georgia, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Iraq, Japan, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Kazakhstan, Liaoning Sheng, Mongolia, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Russian Federation, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Turkey, Western Siberia, Zhejiang Sheng,Iran. TROPICAL ASIA: Pakistan (north), EUROPE: United Kingdom (U.K.), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation-European part, European part, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal, AFRICA: Morocco.

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 :

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Polygonum limosum Perennial1.8 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum longisetumOriental lady's thumbAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Polygonum maackianum Annual0.8 -  LMHSNMWe10 
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Polygonum microcephalum Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Polygonum minusPygmy smartweedAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Polygonum molle Perennial2.5 6-9 FLMHSNM212
Polygonum multiflorumHe Shou Wu, Tuber fleeceflowerPerennial Climber4.5 6-9  LMHSNM23 
Polygonum nepalenseNepalese smartweedAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHSNMWe111
Polygonum orientalePrince's Feather, Kiss me over the garden gateAnnual1.5 0-0  LMHSNM220
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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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Subject : Polygonum bistorta  
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