Common Bistort

A rare or under-collected species in our area. Known from one gathering from Kurram which seems to be its eastern most limit. Rech. f. & Schiman-Czeika, l.c. rightly pointed out that our plants (including those from Iran and Iraq) differ from typical Bistorta major (Polygonum bistorta) by having smaller inflorescence and smaller perianth and might represent a separate taxon. More material is needed in order to reach any definite conclusion.

Perennial herb with thick, stout woody rhizome. Stem simple bearing few to several leaves. Lower leaves large, 40-80 x 10-15 mm, lanceolate, often truncate at the base, borne on winged petiole, upper leaves lax, sessile, glabrous or slightly puberulous, margin of upper and lower leaves revolute to undulate; ochrea c. 30 mm long, oblique, truncate, not fimbriate. Inflorescence terminal into a spike-like head 15-20 x 10 mm densely flowered. Ochreolae obtuse to acute, upper one long, abruptly apiculate. Flowers almost sessile. Perianth 5-partite, tepals c. 3 mm long, pink. Styles 3. Nut triquetrous, shining.

Distribution: Europe, Siberia, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan (Kurram).

Polygonum bistorta L., Sp. Pl. 360. 1753; Kitamura, Fl. Afghan. 89. 1960; Webb & Chater in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ. 1: 80. 1964; Cullen & Coode in Davis, Fl. Turkey 2: 272. 1966; Rech. f. & Schiman-Czeika in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. 58: 63. 1968; R.R.Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 204. 1972; Polygonum bistortoides Boiss., Diagn. Ser. 1(5): 46. 1844; Persicaria bistorta (L.) Sampaio, Herb. Portug. 41. 1913; Ronse Decr. & Akeroyd in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 98: 367. 1988.