About Bistorta amplexicaulis (D.Don) Greene
Nomenclature and Common Names
Bistorta amplexicaulis (D.Don) Greene, which has the synonym Persicaria amplexicaulis, is commonly known as red bistort or mountain fleece. It is a species of flowering plant that belongs to the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae.
Native Distribution
This plant is native to China, the Himalayas, and Pakistan.
Growth Habit and Size
It is a herbaceous perennial that prefers damp growing conditions, and reaches 1.2 meters (4 feet) in both height and width.
Foliage and Flowering
It produces pointed heart-shaped leaves that are downy on their undersides, and bears narrow spikes of rose-red or white flowers during the summer.
Cultivars
Numerous cultivars, including 'Firetail', have been developed for use in gardening.
