Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Polygonaceae ⟩ Bistorta vivipara / Alpine bistort

Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre

Alpine bistort (Polygonaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadVery strong tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Synonyms | Persicaria vivipara (L.) Ronse Decr. | Polygonum viviparum L.

Bistorta vivipara is an Arctic–Alpine species found in Scotland and northern England (and very rarely in Wales, Ireland and the Peak District).

Ben Lawers (VC88: Mid Perthshire); 2010-08-17

 Alpine bistort / Bistorta vivipara: _Bistorta vivipara_ is an <a href="aa.html">Arctic–Alpine</a> species found in Scotland and northern England (and very rarely in Wales, Ireland and the Peak District).

Bistorta vivipara has flowers towards the top of the stem, but these are replaced by bulbils lower down; in harsh conditions, there may be very few flowers.

Dolomites, Italy; 2012-07-03

 Alpine bistort / Bistorta vivipara: _Bistorta vivipara_ has flowers towards the top of the stem, but these are replaced by bulbils lower down; in harsh conditions, there may be very few flowers.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne