Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −40 °C

Cultivation

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Plants do not often produce viable seed, reproducing by means of bulbils formed on the lower portion of the flowering stem.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Seed - raw or cooked. Root - raw or cooked. Bulbils from lower part of flowering stem - raw.

Medicinal uses

The root is astringent and styptic.

Habitat

Mountain grassland and wet rocks.

Native range

Arctic and northern regions of Europe, including Britain, Asia and America. On mountains in south.

Scientific synonyms Bistorta vivipara