Alpine Bistort
Bistorta vivipara
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Baltic States, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, 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:
- bees, butterflies
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 — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; sow in fall or after cold treatment.
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