Bistorta vivipara

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Alpine bistort
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Bistorta
Species:
B. vivipara
Binomial name
Bistorta vivipara
(L.) Delarbre
Synonyms[1]
  • Bistorta americana Raf.
  • Bistorta bulbifera (Royle ex Bab.) Greene
  • Bistorta insularis Soják
  • Bistorta littoralis Greene
  • Bistorta macounii (Small ex Macoun) Greene
  • Bistorta ophioglossa Greene
  • Bistorta scopulina Greene
  • Persicaria americana (Meisn.) Ohki
  • Persicaria vivipara L.) Ronse Decr.
  • Polygonum bulbiferum Royle ex Bab.
  • Polygonum fugax Small
  • Polygonum littorale (Greene) Fedde
  • Polygonum macounii Small ex Macoun
  • Polygonum sagittatum var. americanum Meisn.
  • Polygonum scopulinum (Greene) Fedde
  • Polygonum viviparum L.

Bistorta vivipara (

perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the knotweed and buckwheat family Polygonaceae, commonly known as alpine bistort. Scientific synonyms include Bistorta vivipara and Polygonum viviparum. It is common all over the high Arctic through Europe, North America, incl. Greenland, and temperate and tropical Asia.[2] Its range stretches further south in high mountainous areas such as the Alps, Carpathians, Pyrenees, Caucasus, Alaska and the Tibetan Plateau
.

Taxonomy

Molecular phylogenetic work has demonstrated that the genus Bistorta represents a distinct lineage within the family Polygonaceae.[3] The genus Bistorta contains at least 42 accepted species.[4]

Description

Alpine bistort flower detail

Alpine bistort is a perennial herb that grows to 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) tall. It has a thick

Arctic peoples. Alpine bistort flowers in June and July.[5]

Habitat

Alpine bistort grows in many different plant communities, very often in abundance. Typical habitats include moist short grassland, yards, the edges of tracks, and nutrient-rich fens.[5]

As with many other alpine plants, Alpine bistort is slow-growing and produces embryonic buds one year that grow and open a few years after their formation (flower preformation),[7] with an individual leaf or inflorescence taking three to four years to reach maturity from the time the buds are formed.[8]

Mycorrhiza

Alpine bistort has been shown to form an ectomycorrhizal root symbiosis with fungi.[9]

Uses

The bulbils can be stripped from the lower flower stalks and eaten raw.[10] The young roots are edible raw, while older ones must be cooked.[10] The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.[10]

The roots are eaten in Russia, especially by the Samoyed peoples.[11]

In place names

The Kokolik River in Alaska is named after Qaqalik, the Iñupiaq name for alpine bistort.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  2. ^ "Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  3. S2CID 84694521
    .
  4. ^ "Bistorta". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
  5. ^ a b c "Alpine bistort: Bistorta vivipara". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
  6. PMID 1167787
    .
  7. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59538-8. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help
    )
  8. PMID 21712195
    .
  9. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.1981.tb01729.x. Open access icon
  10. ^
    OCLC 244766414
    .
  11. ISBN 0415927463
    .
  12. ^ "Kokolik River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. January 1, 2000. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
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