Scientific Name:
Persicaria bistorta
Pronunciation:
pur-sih-KAIR-ee-uh bis-TOR-tuh
Common Name:
European bistort, snakeweed
Family Name:
Polygonaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal, ovate to oblong arising from rhizome, margins entire, wavy, 10-20cm long, leaves on flowering stem alternate, sessile; inflorescence cylindrical, about 4-10cm long x 3cm wide, petals pink; achenes brown, about 3 x 4mm, shiny, smooth.
Habit:
Arching, Spreading
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Origin:
Europe
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Fall interest, Herb, Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Summer interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include P. 'Superba'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Shapes:
Oblong, Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate, Cordate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Pink
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Four, petal-like sepals
Fruit Type:
Achene, Nut
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Black
Fruiting Time:
Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
