Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 5,
Names
Bistorta vivipara (Linnaeus) Delarbre [family POLYGONACEAE], Fl. Auvergne ed., 2, 2: 516. 1800
Polygonum viviparum Linnaeus [family POLYGONACEAE], Sp. Pl., 1: 360. 1753
Bistorta vivipara subsp. macounii (Small ex J. M. Macoun) Soják [family POLYGONACEAE]
Persicaria vivipara (Linnaeus) Ronse Decraene [family POLYGONACEAE]
Polygonum viviparum var. macounii (Small ex J. M. Macoun) Hultén [family POLYGONACEAE]
Distribution
GreenlandSt. Pierre and MiquelonEuropeAsia.USA AlaskaUSA Ariz.USA Colo.USA IdahoUSA MaineUSA Mich.USA Minn.USA Mont.USA Nev.USA N.H.USA N.Mex.USA Oreg.USA S.Dak.USA UtahUSA Vt.USA Wash.USA Wyo.Canada Alta.Canada B.C.Canada Man.Canada N.B.Canada Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.)Canada N.W.T.Canada NunavutCanada Ont.Canada Que.Canada Sask.Canada Yukon
Discussion
Bistorta vivipara is highly variable morphologically and cytologically. Robust plants with large leaves, compact spikes, and persistent bulblets have been named subsp. macounii. Abortion of stamens, production of bulblets, and the rarity of fruits suggest that reproduction is largely asexual; fruits and seedlings are produced rarely (N. Söyrinki 1989). B. Jonsell and T. Karlsson (2000+, vol. 1) summarized chromosome numbers that include 2n = 66, ca. 77, ca. 80, 88, 99, ca. 100, 110, 120, and ca. 132.
A. E. Porsild and W. J. Cody (1980) reported that indigenous peoples of the circumpolar region eat the starchy, slightly astringent rootstocks raw or cooked, and preserve them in seal oil or by freezing. E. Hultén (1968) reported that the rootstocks taste like almonds.