Skip to content
PlantSage.eu
ENRO
IIIFolio · plant profile№ 62F0medicinal · edible
Data provenancePermapeopleTreflePFAFPOWOeditorially reviewedreviewed 20 Oct 2026methodology → read
Home/Plants/Polygonaceae

American Bistort

Polygonum bistortoidesfam. Polygonaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
medicinaledibleperennialedibleedible leafmedicinalnative euperennialshade tolerant
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Polygonum bistortoides (American Bistort) — botanical photograph
Pl. 62F0 — Polygonum bistortoides
Polygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoidesPolygonum bistortoides
I

Prezentare

Bistort americană (Polygonum bistortoides) este o plantă perenicolă găsită în Europa și Asia, de la Albania până la Japonia. Înflorșează în condiții umede cu expuneri luminice parțiale sau semisoleare și toleranță variată a solurilor, inclusiv soluri luate (sând), medii și argile. Hardinați în zonele 4-8, această plantă atinge o înălțime de aproximativ 0,5 m și este notabilă pentru faptul că frunzele sale sunt comestibile, fiind o adăugare valoare în jardine sau zonele selvice unde poate fi atât ornamental cât și util ca surse de aliment.

Quick answers

What is American Bistort?

Bistort americană (Polygonum bistortoides) este o plantă perenicolă găsită în Europa și Asia, de la Albania până la Japonia. Înflorșează în condiții umede cu expuneri luminice parțiale sau semisoleare și toleranță variată a solurilor, inclusiv soluri luate (sând), medii și argile.

What is American Bistort used for?

Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Compare with:amamastla→Mexican Dock→Polygonum molle→all comparisons →
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of American Bistort
Jump to full evidence →
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Beneficii și dovezi

1 claim · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • American Bistort has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine for digestive issues, particularly as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. Its astringent properties are thought to help soothe the gastrointestinal tract.

    The plant contains tannins which have an astringent effect on mucous membranes, helping to reduce inflammation and irritation in the gut.

    ▲ ModerateDigestion →
IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
American Bistort support blend
general
tea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivare

Bistort americană se dezvoltă bine în soluri umede cu expuneri complete sau semisoleare. Propagează-se prin diviziune sau prin semințe. Această plantă perenicolă atinge o înălțime de aproximativ 0,5 m și frunzele sale comestibile pot fi consumate.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow American Bistort for the first time

8steps

American Bistort is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that's perfect for beginners.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or young plants, garden soil, a trowel.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a location with moist, well-draining soil; full sun to partial shade.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 0.5 m apart in prepared soil; transplant young plants if needed.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Mulch around the base for moisture retention and weed control; prune dead foliage in early spring.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance; leaves are edible but not commonly harvested.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting mulch application.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:leaves
Edible uses: The American Bistort's leaves are edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. They are often prepared in salads for a light addition of flavor or steamed as a side dish.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribuție

56 native · 12 introduced
Distribution across3 continents· 56 native· 12 introduced
Europe25 regions
native (19)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (6)DenmarkFinlandIcelandIrelandNorwaySweden
Asia9 regions
native (9)ChinaIndiaIranIraqJapanNepalPakistanSouth KoreaTurkey
Africa1 region
native (1)Morocco
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Chita, Czechoslovakia, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Primorye, Transcaucasus, Tuva, West Himalaya, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia
introduced:Maine, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Vermont
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Polygonum bistortoides (American Bistort) — botanical photograph
American Bistort (Polygonum bistortoides)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Growing zone
XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 62f00e46-671d-4c66-9144-c64d40d23e92
Decision aid
Choosing between American Bistort and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Primește digest-ul săptămânal

Un email curat pe săptămână — profile noi de plante, note sezoniere de cultivare, adăugiri în arhiva de remedii. Gratuit, fără tracking, dezabonare oricând.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes