Categories: Polygonaceae

Alpine bistort (Bistorta vivipara, Fl. Auvergne, ed. 2, 2: 516 (1800))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: (L.) Delarbre

Bibliography: Fl. Auvergne, ed. 2, 2: 516 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bistorta

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Subalpine

Description

Alpine bistort, scientifically known as Bistorta vivipara, is an enduring member of the family Polygonaceae. This resilient plant thrives in the challenging climates of subarctic and subalpine regions, demonstrating an impressive adaptability to harsh environmental conditions.

Characterized by its compact growth habit, Alpine bistort often sports a single spike-like inflorescence. The flowers, usually white or pale pink, cluster densely along the spike, creating a striking yet delicate appearance amidst the rugged landscapes where the plant is found. This herbaceous perennial is particularly noted for its viviparous nature, a trait reflected in its scientific name. This means it can reproduce by developing tiny plantlets along its flower spikes, which can eventually detach and establish new plants, exemplifying a unique form of vegetative reproduction.

Alpine bistort’s leaves are another distinguishing feature. They tend to be lance-shaped and can vary in size, with basal leaves being larger and generally more rounded, while those on the stems are smaller and more elongated. This variation in leaf morphology aids the plant’s survival in the nutrient-poor soils often found in its native habitats.

Ecologically, Bistorta vivipara plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. It provides food for various mountain and tundra herbivores, including insects and small mammals, and its flowers are an important nectar source for pollinators, particularly in alpine environments where floral diversity is limited.

Historically documented in Flora Auvergne’s second edition in the year 1800 by the botanist Delarbre, Alpine bistort has been extensively studied and appreciated for its resilience and ecological significance. Its presence across a broad range indicates its successful adaptation to some of the planet’s most formidable growing conditions.

In summary, Alpine bistort is not just a plant of botanical interest but also a vital component of its natural habitat, offering insight into the remarkable biological strategies that enable life in extreme environments.

Common Names

Eng: alpine bistort, alpine knotweed, serpent-grass, viviparous bistort, viviparous knotweed
Deu: knöllchen-knöterich, knöllchen-wiesenknöterich
Dan: topspirende pileurt, topspirende slangeurt
Nor: field-rug, fule-mat, hare-rug, purke-root, pærlegræs, raapaa, raape, stoort-veigræs
Ita: poligono viviparo
Sme: gieddedáđir, gieddenjuolas, njoammildáđir, šilljojuopmu
Swe: ormrot, liten ormrot
Fra: renouée vivipare
En: Alpine Bistort, Viviparous Bistort
Fi: Nurmitatar
Is: Kornsúra
No: Harerug
Cy: Canwraidd y Mynydd, Llys y Neidr Fynyddig, Neidrlys Mynyddig

Synonyms

Persicaria vivipara ((L.) Ronse Decr.)
Polygonum sagittatum var. americanum (Meisn.)
Polygonum macounii (Small ex Macoun)
Bistorta vivipara var. alpina (Gray)
Polygonum blancheanum (Gand.)
Polygonum bracteatum (Spreng.)
Polygonum fugax (Small)
Bistorta insularis (Soják)
Polygonum viviparum f. alpinum ((Wahlenb.) Polunin)
Bistorta bulbifera ((Royle ex Bab.) Greene)
Persicaria americana ((Meisn.) Ohki)
Persicaria sagittata var. americana ((Meisn.) Miyabe)
Polygonum renii (L.C.Wang)
Bistorta vivipara f. roessleri ((Beck) Kitag.)
Bistorta vivipara var. angustifolia (Nakai)
Polygonum viviparum f. roessleri (Beck)
Bistorta macounii ((Small ex Macoun) Greene)
Bistorta littoralis (Greene)
Bistorta americana (Raf.)
Polygonum viviparum var. pseudobistorta (J.Rousseau)
Polygonum proliferum (Houtt.)
Polygonum viviparum var. ramiflorum (L.Villar)
Polygonum viviparum var. subacaule (Pursh)
Polygonum viviparum f. pusillum (Kurtz)
Polygonum viviparum var. capitatum (Torr.)
Polygonum viviparum var. alpinum (Wahlenb.)
Polygonum viviparum var. macounii ((Small ex Macoun) Hultén)
Polygonum viviparum f. elatior (Kurtz)
Colubrina vivipara ((L.) Montandon)
Polygonum viviparum f. ramosum ((Nakai) T.Shimizu)
Polygonum scopulinum ((Greene) Fedde)
Polygonum viviparum (L.)
Bistorta vivipara var. roessleri ((Beck) F.Maek.)
Bistorta vivipara f. ramosa (Nakai)
Polygonum insulare (Maximova)
Bistorta ophioglossa (Greene)
Polygonum viviparum f. nanum (Bolzon)
Polygonum camptostachys (Gand.)
Bistorta scopulina (Greene)
Polygonum viviparum f. linearifolium (J.Q.Fu)
Polygonum chevrolatii (Gand.)
Bistorta vivipara subsp. fugax ((Small) Soják)
Polygonum bulbiferum (Royle ex Bab.)
Bistorta vivipara subsp. macounii ((Small ex Macoun) Soják)

Distribution

Afghanistan (native)
Alaska (native)
Albania (native)
Alberta (native)
Aleutian Is. (native)
Altay (native)
Amur (native)
Arizona (native)
Austria (native)
Baltic States (native)
British Columbia (native)
Bulgaria (native)
Buryatiya (native)
Central European Rus (native)
China North-Central (native)
China South-Central (native)
China Southeast (native)
Chita (native)
Colorado (native)
Czechoslovakia (native)
East European Russia (native)
East Himalaya (native)
Finland (native)
France (native)
Føroyar (native)
Germany (native)
Great Britain (native)
Greenland (native)
Iceland (native)
Idaho (native)
Inner Mongolia (native)
Ireland (native)
Irkutsk (native)
Italy (native)
Japan (native)
Kamchatka (native)
Kazakhstan (native)
Khabarovsk (native)
Kirgizstan (native)
Korea (native)
Krasnoyarsk (native)
Kuril Is. (native)
Labrador (native)
Magadan (native)
Maine (native)
Manchuria (native)
Manitoba (native)
Michigan (native)
Minnesota (native)
Mongolia (native)
Montana (native)
Myanmar (native)
Nepal (native)
Nevada (native)
New Brunswick (native)
New Hampshire (native)
New Mexico (native)
Newfoundland (native)
North Caucasus (native)
North European Russi (native)
Northwest European R (native)
Northwest Territorie (native)
Norway (native)
Nunavut (native)
Ontario (native)
Oregon (native)
Pakistan (native)
Poland (native)
Primorye (native)
Qinghai (native)
Québec (native)
Romania (native)
Sakhalin (native)
Saskatchewan (native)
South Dakota (native)
Spain (native)
Svalbard (native)
Sweden (native)
Switzerland (native)
Tadzhikistan (native)
Thailand (native)
Tibet (native)
Transcaucasus (native)
Tuva (native)
Ukraine (native)
Utah (native)
Vermont (native)
Washington (native)
West Himalaya (native)
West Siberia (native)
Wyoming (native)
Xinjiang (native)
Yakutskiya (native)
Yugoslavia (native)
Yukon (native)