Polygonaceae
Bistorta officinalis subsp. officinalis
Bistorta officinalis subsp. officinalis
Also known as Bistorta vulgaris var. nitens, Bistorta vulgaris, Polygonum paleaceum, Bistorta paleacea
Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Bistort · Edible Leaves · Medicinal Herb · Woodland Perennial · Shade Tolerant · Moisture Loving · Polygonaceae · Wildflower · Herbaceous · Groundcover
Common bistort is a hardy perennial that thrives in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, making it ideal for woodland edges or damp border plantings. Its edible leaves can be harvested in spring and it has a long history of medicinal use in European herbal traditions. Once established it requires minimal care — simply keep the soil moist and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged · Every 7-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Temperature
- -40°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 3a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 12 in
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Deep
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Altay, Amur, Assam, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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