American Bistort
ExplorePlants
American Bistort
bistorta bistortoides
The American Bistort is a striking perennial herb native to the high-elevation meadows and alpine tundras of western North America. Rising on slender, upright stems from a thick, twisted underground rhizome, this resilient wildflower is celebrated for its dense, cylindrical clusters of small, white to pale pink blossoms. It serves as a classic indicator of healthy alpine ecosystems and is often found growing alongside other moisture-loving mountain flora, forming spectacular displays of summer blooms. Use the Snappit app to scan, identify, and learn about American Bistort in real-time.
Habitat: Found in moist mountain meadows, marshy areas, and subalpine to alpine tundras of western North America.
Appearance
American Bistort is characterized by its tall, unbranched stems reaching 20 to 80 cm in height, tipped with a single, dense, cotton-swab-like flower spike that is 2 to 8 cm long. The spike is packed with dozens of tiny, five-lobed white or occasionally light pink flowers, which exhibit prominent protruding stamens that give the cluster a fuzzy appearance. Its leaves are primarily basal, oblong to lance-shaped with long petioles, and possess a leathery texture, while the few upper stem leaves are much smaller and clasp the stem directly.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusBistorta
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Indigenous peoples of the Rocky Mountains boiled or roasted the starchy roots, which are said to have a nutty flavor similar to chestnuts.
The common name 'bistort' translates to 'twice-twisted' in Latin, which directly references the unique, S-shaped contortions of its underground rootstock.
The seeds of the American Bistort can be ground into a fine flour, which was historically used by Native Americans as a soup thickener and for baking bread.
Special abilities
Ability
Subalpine Cold Tolerance
Thrives in harsh high-altitude climates, surviving freezing nighttime temperatures and a very short summer growing season.
Ability
Starch-Rich Rhizomes
Utilizes thick, twisted underground stems to store complex carbohydrates, allowing rapid regrowth after the snow melts.
Ability
Mass-Bloom Attraction
Produces a high density of florets in a single spike, maximizing visibility to scarce alpine pollinators in windy conditions.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-80 cm
- Lifespan
- 3-15 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy by utilizing chlorophyll to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Ecological connections
eaten by
Grizzly Bear
Ursus arctos horribilis
Grizzly bears dig up and consume the nutrient-dense, starchy rhizomes in subalpine meadows during the spring and summer.
eaten by
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
American Pikas harvest and dry the stems and leaves of the plant to store in their winter haypiles.
mutualism
Western Bumble Bee
Bombus occidentalis
Various alpine bumblebees visit the dense flower heads for pollen and nectar, facilitating pollination.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify American Bistort?
The easiest way to identify American Bistort is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is American Bistort?
20-80 cm
How long does American Bistort live?
3-15 years
What does American Bistort eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy by utilizing chlorophyll to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars.
Where is American Bistort usually found?
Found in moist mountain meadows, marshy areas, and subalpine to alpine tundras of western North America.
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Where to spot
Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Echo Lake Park
You might spot Great Basin Bristlecone Pine and Fireweed.
View guide →
Park29 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Independence
You might spot American Bistort and Rocky Mountain Marsh-Marigold.
View guide →
Park30 sightings12 species
Colorado, US
Summit Lake Park
You might spot Mountain Goat, Yellow-Bellied Marmot, and Bighorn Sheep.
View guide →
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