Bistorta amplexicaulis (synonym Persicaria amplexicaulis), the red bistort[2] or mountain fleece, is a species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae, native to China, the Himalayas, and Pakistan. It is a damp-loving herbaceous perennial growing to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall and wide, with heart-shaped pointed leaves, downy beneath, and narrow spikes of rose-red or white flowers in summer.[3][4]

Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, including 'Firetail'.[5]

Etymology

The Latin specific epithet amplexicaulis means "clasping or embracing the stem", and refers to the leaves' habit of growing around the stem.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Bistorta amplexicaulis (D.Don) Greene". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  2. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  4. ^ Flora of China, Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don, 1825. 包茎拳参 bao jing quan shen
  5. ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Firetail'". Retrieved 25 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.