Bistorta vivipara: Difference between revisions
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'''''Polygonum viviparum''''' (syn. ''Polygonum viviparum'', ''Persicaria vivipara''), commonly known as '''Alpine |
'''''Polygonum viviparum''''' (syn. ''Polygonum viviparum'', ''Persicaria vivipara''), commonly known as '''Alpine bistort''', is common all over the high Arctic. Its range stretches further south in high mountainous areas like the [[Alps]], [[Carpathian Mountains|Carpathians]], [[Pyrenees]], [[Caucasus]] and the [[Tibetan Plateau]]. |
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==Description== |
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[[Image:knotweed2.jpg|thumb|left|Alpine |
[[Image:knotweed2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Alpine bistort flower detail]] |
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Alpine bistort is a perennial herb that grows to {{convert|5|to|15|cm|in|0}} tall. It has a thick [[Rhizome|rhizomatous]] rootstock and an erect, unbranched, hairless stem. The [[leaf|leaves]] are hairless on the upper surfaces but hairy and greyish-green below. The basal ones are longish-elliptical with long stalks and rounded bases; the upper ones are few and are linear and stalkless. The tiny [[flower]]s are white or pink in the upper part of the spike with five perianth segments, eight stamens with purple anthers and three fused carpels. The lower ones are replaced by bulbils. Flowers rarely produce viable seeds and reproduction is normally by the bulbils, which are small bulb-like structures that develop in the axils of the leaves and may develop into new plants. Very often a small leaf develops when the bulbil is still attached to the mother plant.<ref name=NatureGate>{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/alpine-bistort |title=Alpine bistort: ''Bistorta vivipara'' |author= |date= |work= |publisher=NatureGate |accessdate=2013-12-30}}</ref> The bulbils are rich in starch and are a preferred food for [[Rock Ptarmigan]] (''Lagopus mutus'')<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Br J Nutr. | year = 1975 | month = March | volume = 33 | issue = 2 | pages = 197–206 | pmid = 1167787 | title = The digestion of bulbils (''Polygonum viviparum'' L.) and berries (''Vaccinium myrtillus'' L. and ''Empetrum'' sp.) by captive ptarmigan (''Lagopus mutus'') | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1167787?dopt=Abstract | author = Moss R, Parkinson JA | doi = 10.1079/BJN19750024}}</ref> and [[reindeer]]; they are also occasionally used by Arctic people. Alpine bistort flowers in June and July.<ref name=NatureGate/> |
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==Habitat== |
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Alpine Bistort grows in many different plant communities, very often in abundance. |
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Alpine bistort grows in many different plant communities, very often in abundance. Typical habitats include moist short grassland, yards, the edges of tracks and nutrient-rich fens.<ref name=NatureGate/> |
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As with many other alpine plants, Alpine |
As with many other alpine plants, Alpine bistort is slow growing, with an individual leaf or [[inflorescence]] taking three to four years to reach maturity from the time it is formed.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/reprint/84/2/154 | journal = Am. J. Bot. | author = Pamela K. Diggle | title = Extreme preformation in alpine ''Polygonum vivparum'': an architectural and developmental analysis | volume = 84 | issue = 2 | pages = 154–169 | year = 1997 | doi = 10.2307/2446077 | jstor = 2446077}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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[[Category:Flora of Norway]] |
[[Category:Flora of Norway]] |
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[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]] |
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{{Polygonaceae-stub}} |
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Revision as of 06:21, 30 December 2013
| Alpine Bistort | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | P. viviparum
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| Binomial name | |
| Polygonum viviparum | |
| Synonyms | |
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Persicaria vivipara | |
Polygonum viviparum (syn. Polygonum viviparum, Persicaria vivipara), commonly known as Alpine bistort, is common all over the high Arctic. Its range stretches further south in high mountainous areas like the Alps, Carpathians, Pyrenees, Caucasus and the Tibetan Plateau.
Description
Alpine bistort is a perennial herb that grows to 5 to 15 centimetres (2 to 6 in) tall. It has a thick rhizomatous rootstock and an erect, unbranched, hairless stem. The leaves are hairless on the upper surfaces but hairy and greyish-green below. The basal ones are longish-elliptical with long stalks and rounded bases; the upper ones are few and are linear and stalkless. The tiny flowers are white or pink in the upper part of the spike with five perianth segments, eight stamens with purple anthers and three fused carpels. The lower ones are replaced by bulbils. Flowers rarely produce viable seeds and reproduction is normally by the bulbils, which are small bulb-like structures that develop in the axils of the leaves and may develop into new plants. Very often a small leaf develops when the bulbil is still attached to the mother plant.[1] The bulbils are rich in starch and are a preferred food for Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)[2] and reindeer; they are also occasionally used by Arctic people. Alpine bistort flowers in June and July.[1]
Habitat
Alpine bistort grows in many different plant communities, very often in abundance. Typical habitats include moist short grassland, yards, the edges of tracks and nutrient-rich fens.[1]
As with many other alpine plants, Alpine bistort is slow growing, with an individual leaf or inflorescence taking three to four years to reach maturity from the time it is formed.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Alpine bistort: Bistorta vivipara". NatureGate. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
- ^ Moss R, Parkinson JA (1975). "The digestion of bulbils (Polygonum viviparum L.) and berries (Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Empetrum sp.) by captive ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)". Br J Nutr. 33 (2): 197–206. doi:10.1079/BJN19750024. PMID 1167787.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Pamela K. Diggle (1997). "Extreme preformation in alpine Polygonum vivparum: an architectural and developmental analysis". Am. J. Bot. 84 (2): 154–169. doi:10.2307/2446077. JSTOR 2446077.
