Alpine Bistort
Bistorta vivipara
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Baltic States, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Myanmar, Nepal, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Thailand, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, United States
Jörg Hempel
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Bistorta
- Species:
- Bistorta vivipara
- USDA Symbol:
- POVI3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Bog Fritillary (Clossiana eunomia), dingy fritillary (Clossiana improba), Mountain Fritillary (Boloria napaea), Titania's fritillary (Clossiana titania)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Viviparous species produces bulbils on inflorescence that sprout readily; true seed germination is less common in cultivation.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI