Meadow Bistort
Bistorta officinalis
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Korea, Krym, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States
Daderot
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Bistorta
- Species:
- Bistorta officinalis
- USDA Symbol:
- POBI5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers damp meadows and marshy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-8 weeks before sowing.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI