Bistorta amplexicaulis
Bistorta amplexiaucus, commonly known as Snakeweed or Zigzag Bistort, is a resilient perennial herb native to mountainous regions. Renowned for its distinctive stem structure, this plant has historical significance in traditional medicine. It is often studied for its bioactive compounds, which offer potential therapeutic properties in herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Bistorta amplexicaulis
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bistorta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bistorta amplexiicaulis, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Swedish, it is called Blodormrot, while in Russian, it is known as Змеевик стеблеобъемлющий. In Belarusian, the name used is Persicaria amplexiicaulis, and in Welsh, it is identified as Y ganwraidd goch. Additionally, in Vietnamese, the name Persicaria amplexiicaulis is utilized.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| sv | Blodormrot | Wikidata |
| ru | Змеевик стеблеобъемлющий | Wikidata |
| be | Persicaria amplexicaulis | Wikidata |
| cy | Y ganwraidd goch | Wikidata |
| vi | Persicaria amplexicaulis | Wikidata |
| zh | 抱茎蓼 | Wikidata |
| sl | svečna dresen | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 抱茎蓼 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 抱茎蓼 | Wikidata |
| de | Persicaria amplexicaulis | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Snakeweed, possesses a distinct morphology where its medicinal properties are distributed across various structures. The belowground portion is characterized by a robust, creeping rhizome that serves as a primary storage organ and a source of bioactive compounds. From this base, the plant develops its aboveground parts, which consist of a sturdy, upright shoot that can reach significant heights. The foliage is comprised of several lance-shaped leaf structures that are arranged alternately along the stem, contributing to the overall vitality of the specimen.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoot | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| belowground | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aboveground parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| above ground parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Below ground parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bistorta amplexicaulis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include indole acetic acid, indole butyric acid, naringin, quercetin, rutin.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| indole acetic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| indole butyric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naringin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bistorta amplexicaulis has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bistorta amplexicaulis has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli, Penicillium notatum, Proteus vulgaris.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Penicillium notatum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proteus vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| free radicals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |