Plant ID?
- Thread starter punkrockcaveman
- Start date
If it ends up with spikes of pink flowers, then it's Bistort....and that's edible 
Bistorta officinalis, iirc.
Mine is just at that leafy stage too.
Bistorta officinalis, iirc.
Mine is just at that leafy stage too.
From the photo it looks like common bistort Persicaria bistorta
It's always worth adding where you are in the country, size of leaves, and any other info about the plant.
It's always worth adding where you are in the country, size of leaves, and any other info about the plant.
sorry, we all posted the same info at virtually the same time
(actually, they posted while I was thinking)
(actually, they posted while I was thinking
)
Why does it have two names both of which are 'correct', though ?
en.wikipedia.org
I grow it in a pot, but I'm wondering about planting it out in one of the beds next to the wee ponds. Anyone know just how vigorous it actually is in a garden ?
M
Bistorta officinalis - Wikipedia
I grow it in a pot, but I'm wondering about planting it out in one of the beds next to the wee ponds. Anyone know just how vigorous it actually is in a garden ?
M
It has three, polygonum bistorta as well. I think the Bistorta officinalis is the latest name.
Bistorts can be a bit rampant if they like the location but as I like them and have room that doesn't matter. Might need to be careful in a small garden.
Why does it have two names both of which are 'correct', though ?
Bistorta officinalis - Wikipedia
I grow it in a pot, but I'm wondering about planting it out in one of the beds next to the wee ponds. Anyone know just how vigorous it actually is in a garden ?
M
It's been moved, as have quite a large number of plants
I planted a few near our pond about 25 years ago; they now cover around 12 square metres if that's any help
Mmm... not according to the RHS, Marjorie Blamey or Rose - it's Persicaria bistorta - sorry to be pedantic.
Yes, the Plant List notes that Kew's record hasn't changed; officinalis was it's original database entry. It is very confusing I admit and it's almost impossible to tell which is the latest unless they quote dates.
Yes. It's used for Easter Ledge or Dock pudding.
It does look like a Dock leaf, but it tastes very different.
It's been moved, as have quite a large number of plants
I planted a few near our pond about 25 years ago; they now cover around 12 square metres if that's any help
Hmmm. Maybe not then. That said, it can fight it out with the meadowsweet and red campion. It's just that I rather think it's pot bound and needing split.
M
Apologies for dwelling on this - it appears we're discussing a plant that has been moved around a lot!
It looks as though the botanical world can't agree as Wikipedia says it is now Bistorta officinalis and the BSBI says Persicaria bistorta - for once the common name is less confusing than the scientific name!
You can also eat the root/rhizome but you are advised to steep it in water first then roast - it's one of our high starch foods.
No apology needed, you get the same thing with fungi being moved about all the time. Then they decide to split what they thought was a single species them up into multiple species.
