Not just a pretty face

Bistorta bistortoides, July 11, 2023

Common & scientific name

American bistort, Bistorta bistortoides

Family

Buckwheat, Polygonaceae

Location

Linkins Lake Trail, 11,900’

Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact

One of our most common subalpine and alpine flowers. Bistort has a long history of use by Native Americans as food and for medicinal purposes, and is also favored by many animals.

Upper Lost Man, 12,000’, August 26, 2023