American Bistort, Snakeweed, Mountain Meadow Knotweed, Western Bistort
Bistorta bistortoides
Synonyms: Persicaria bistortoides, Polygonum bistortoides, Polygonum bistortoides var. linearifolium, Polygonum bistortoides var. oblongifolium, Polygonum cephalophorum, Polygonum glastifolium, Polygonum vulcanicum
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of american
bistort as seen along the Yakima-Klickitat county line at the southeast side
of Mt. Adams.........May 29, 2006.
Characteristics:
American bistort is an erect perennial arising 30-60 cm from
a thick tuber. The basal 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.
Habitat:
American bistort is a montane species found in moist or swampy
meadows, streambanks, or alpine slopes.
Range:
American bistort is found from southern Alaska to southern California,
east to Alberta, Montana, and New Mexico.
The photo above shows a sessile stem leaf
of american bistort.
The photo above shows a petiolate basal leaf of americn bistort
as seen along the Yakima-Klickitat county line.........May 29, 2006.
Paul Slichter
