Common Bistort - Persicaria bistorta

An erect, perennial with attractive pink flowers, in a tight cylindrical inflorescence. The basal leaves have a long petiole, while the stem leaves are sessile. The upper part of the petiole has a narrow wing of leaf tissue. The plant grows from a stout creeping rhizome, which spreads to create dense patches.

Often in damp areas and near to lakes margins, also in meadows and woods.

May to July.

Perennial

Found throughout Britain, but commonest in the north west of England.

Not common in Leicestershire + Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 9 of the 617 tetrads.