Alpine bistort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alpine bistort
• serpent-grass
• viviparous bistort
• viviparous knotweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Persicaria americana
• Bistorta vivipara var. roessleri
• Polygonum scopulinum
• Polygonum sagittatum modif. aculeolata
• Bistorta vivipara f. roessleri
• Colubrina vivipara
• Polygonum viviparum f. ramosum
• Persicaria vivipara
• Bistorta vivipara var. alpina
• Polygonum viviparum var. subacaule
• Polygonum viviparum var. pseudobistorta
• Polygonum viviparum monstr. paniculatum
• Polygonum viviparum f. elatior
• Polygonum sagittatum var. americanum
• Polygonum macounii
• Polygonum bulbiferum
• Polygonum camptostachys
• Polygonum proliferum
• Polygonum blancheanum
• Polygonum bracteatum
• Polygonum chevrolatii
• Polygonum viviparum
• Polygonum viviparum var. ramiflorum
• Polygonum renii
• Polygonum viviparum var. capitatum
• Bistorta vivipara f. ramosa
• Polygonum viviparum f. alpinum
• Polygonum viviparum f. roessleri
• Bistorta vivipara subsp. fugax
• Polygonum viviparum var. alpinum
• Bistorta vivipara subsp. macounii
• Bistorta vivipara var. angustifolia
• Bistorta scopulina
• Polygonum viviparum var. macounii
• Polygonum viviparum f. nanum
• Bistorta ophioglossa
• Bistorta macounii
• Persicaria sagittata var. americana
• Bistorta bulbifera
• Bistorta insularis
• Bistorta littoralis
• Bistorta americana
• Polygonum fugax
• Polygonum viviparum f. pusillum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Bistorta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland regions of Denmark. Its presence extends further north into the landscapes of Finland and Iceland. Additionally, the species is documented within the territories of Great Britain. Finally, its range includes the remote islands of Føroyar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bistorta vivipara is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of high-altitude environments, spanning from subalpine zones to extreme alpine reaches. It is commonly found inhabiting various niches, including forests, meadows, riverbanks, stony places, and tundra landscapes. This species exhibits a broad elevational distribution, typically occurring at a mean altitude of 3,150 m AMSL. Its vertical range is extensive, with its lower limits beginning at approximately 1,200 m AMSL and reaching its maximum recorded elevation of 5,100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

5100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows, rivers, stony places, tundra

Genetics

The genetics of Bistorta vivipera are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration, specifically defined by a ploidy level of 2n. This diploid status indicates that the organism possesses two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, which serves as the fundamental genomic basis for its reproductive biology and evolutionary stability. This chromosomal makeup provides the genetic framework necessary for the expression of its various medicinal properties and morphological characteristics, ensuring consistent inheritance patterns across generations within its natural habitat.

Ploidy :

2, n

Life history

The life history of Bistorta vivipara is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Functionally, the plant adopts a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or other organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This specific growth habit as a hemicryptophyte ensures its ability to survive seasonal changes and re-emerge annually from its underground structures.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bistorta vivipara is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a primarily terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.189 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.189 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bistorta vivipara is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants in temperate environments that allows for efficient carbon fixation under moderate light and temperature conditions. Morphologically, the species exhibits a mean leaf size of approximately 2.73624 cm², reflecting a specialized leaf architecture adapted to its ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 152.34 cm²/g, a physiological metric that indicates the relationship between its leaf area and dry mass, offering insights into its resource allocation strategies and leaf thickness.

Leaf size mean:

2.73624 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

152.34 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bistorta vivipara is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window that begins in June and concludes in August. During this period, the plant produces dry fruits that maintain a consistent length of approximately 0.2 cm, with both the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements recorded at this value. The resulting seeds are quite uniform in volume, maintaining a constant measurement of 14 mm³ across the minimum, mean, and maximum parameters. In terms of mass, the seeds exhibit some variability, with a minimum mass of 0.001715 g, a maximum mass of 0.00339 g, and a mean seed mass of 0.048538 g. The dispersal of these seeds is specifically categorized under the hydrochorous syndrome, indicating that water plays the primary role in transporting the seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00339 g

Seed mass mean:

0.048538 g

Seed mass min:

0.001715 g

Seed volume max:

14 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bistorta vivipara has 4 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, fruit, root, stem.

Rhizome

1. RSC advances
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Fruit

1. RSC advances

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. RSC advances

Chemicals

Bistorta vivipara has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Benzopyrans, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Irigenin.

Flavonoids

1. RSC advances
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Benzopyrans

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

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

Gallic acid

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

Irigenin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoflavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Morroniside

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

Sweroside

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

Swertiamarin

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

TFC

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

Activities

Bistorta vivipara has 2 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Antioxidant

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Bistorta vivipara has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, antiviral, atrial fibrillation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations