American bistort is an erect perennial arising 30-60 cm from a thick tuber. The basla leaves are long petiolate and not jointed to the stem. The leaf blade is oblong-lanceolate or wider, to 15 cm long. The stipules are brownish and 3-6 cm long. There are a few lanceolate stem leaves, reduced in size upwards on the stem.

The inflorescence is a terminal raceme, spike-like, from 3-6 cm longand 1-2 cm wide. It is densely white-flowered as seen in the photo above.

American bistort is a montane species found in moist or swampy meadows, streambanks, or alpine slopes.

American bistort is found from southern Alaska to southern California, east to Alberta, Montana, and New Mexico.