red bistort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• red bistort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Persicaria amplexicaulis
• Polygonum amplexicaule

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized within the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Bistorta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is well-documented in Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can also be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, the species is known to inhabit the areas encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. Consequently, its geographical range spans from the northern coastal reaches to the heart of central Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bistorta amplexicaule is characterized by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 3500 m AMSL. Within these mountainous landscapes, the plant maintains a mean elevational presence of approximately 2125 m AMSL, positioning it primarily within subalpine or alpine zones. Its distribution suggests a high tolerance for the varying climatic conditions, temperature fluctuations, and soil compositions typically found in these elevated topographical belts.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2125 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bistorta amplexicaule is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a persistent presence within its natural habitat. As a long-lived plant, it avoids the complete die-back associated with annuals, instead utilizing its established root systems to survive through multiple growing seasons. This perennial nature enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and invest energy into robust vegetative growth and eventual reproductive cycles. Depending on environmental conditions and resource availability, its growth patterns may exhibit variability, but its fundamental strategy relies on long-term survival and the ability to re-emerge and thrive year after year.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bistorta amplexicaule is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning primarily as a terrestrial organism. It does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it act as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. As an independent species, it does not function as a parasite. Regarding its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine, maintaining a stable upright posture without the need for external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bistorta amplexiaucaulis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation and energy production. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, a process that is highly efficient under temperate, moist, and relatively cool environmental conditions. This metabolic strategy requires the plant to manage transpiration carefully, as the open stomata necessary for CO2 uptake also facilitate water loss. To support its structural development and medicinal properties, the plant integrates this photosynthetic output with specialized secondary metabolism, often allocating fixed carbon toward the synthesis of bioactive compounds within its rhizomes and foliage. The efficiency of its C3 cycle is closely tied to its ability to maintain optimal hydration and temperature, allowing it to thrive in its native montane or subalpine habitats where light availability and moisture levels are consistent.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bistorta amplexicaulis is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the development of small, specialized fruit structures. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in July, following a seasonal cycle. During this phase, the plant produces inflorescences that are relatively compact, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that are quite diminutive in size; these fruits measure between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.5 cm in length, with an average length of approximately 0.45 cm.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bistorta amplexicaulis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, leaf.

Rhizome

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Bistorta amplexicaulis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RUTIN, quercetin, CATECHIN, Gallic acid, Indole butyric acid.

RUTIN

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

quercetin

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

CATECHIN

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Gallic acid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Indole butyric acid

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

caffeic acid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

indole acetic acid

1. International journal of analytical chemistry

kaempferol

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

myricetin

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

naringin

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Activities

Bistorta amplexicaulis has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Anticancer

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Medicinal Uses

Bistorta amplexicaulis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Penicillium notatum, Proteus vulgaris.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations