Alpine Bistort

Alpine Bistort Polygonum viviparum (syn Persicaria vivipara) is abundant across the high Alps of southern Switzerland, and indeed throughout the Northern Hemisphere Alpine and Arctic habitats. It is easy to identify, with its dense tuft of white flowers above a collection of reddish bulbils along the flower stem. Generally not producing viable seeds, these bulbils are how the plant propagates itself. Ptarmigan and reindeer apparently love them and they are full of energy giving starch. The plants are very slow growing, with flowers taking several years to develop from buds to open blooms.