Bistorta officinalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Persicaria bistorta
• Polygonum bistorta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Bistorta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated primarily throughout Northern Europe. Within this region, its presence is documented in the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. It can also be found growing across the diverse terrains of Finland. The species extends its range to the northern reaches of Iceland as well. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the islands of Great Britain and Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bistorta officinalis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse montane and subalpine environments, where it primarily inhabits forest ecosystems, forest edges, and open meadows. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a significant vertical gradient that begins at elevations as low as 300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 4120 m AMSL. While it can be found in varied landscapes, its typical ecological niche is centered around a mean elevation of approximately 2150 m AMSL, where the moisture levels and soil conditions of woodland fringes and grassy clearings provide optimal conditions for its growth and development.

Elevational range max:

4120 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, meadows

Life history

The life history of Bistorta officinalis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or other organic debris during unfavorable periods. This classification as a hemicryptophyte ensures its survival across seasonal cycles, facilitating its long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bistorta officinalis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent terrestrial lifestyle. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.3415 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.3415 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bistorta officinalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on soil nutrients rather than the capture of prey. Morphologically, the leaves possess a mean size of 180.21 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 246.48 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

180.21 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

246.48 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bistorta officinalis is characterized by a sexual cycle, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August, featuring inflorescences that range in length from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.09 m. The pollination process is primarily driven by an insect pollination syndrome. Once fertilized, the plant produces fruits classified as achenes, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.3 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.35 cm. Self-fertilization is present within the species, contributing to its reproductive success. The resulting seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0050395 g, falling within a specific range between 0.00481 g and 0.00624 g. For the spread of the next generation, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on the wind to transport its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence length max:

0.09 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00624 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0050395 g

Seed mass min:

0.00481 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bistorta officinalis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Bistorta officinalis has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Tannins, Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Cyclotetradecane, DODECANOIC ACID.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Cyclotetradecane

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

DODECANOIC ACID

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Ethyl oleate

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Flavonoids

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Gallic acid

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Activities

Bistorta officinalis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of biological engineering

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Bistorta officinalis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bleeding, Pseudomonas infections, diarrhea.

Bleeding

1. Journal of biological engineering

Pseudomonas infections

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Bistorta officinalis has 8 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous ethanol extracts, ethanol extracts, ethanolic extract, ethanolic fraction of Persicaria bistorta, ethyl acetate fraction.

Aqueous ethanol extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethanol extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethanolic extract

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Ethanolic fraction of persicaria bistorta

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Extract of the medicinal plant bistorta officinalis (bex)

1. Journal of biological engineering

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Water and ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology