persicaria bistorta

Common bistort is a common wildflower that is found throughout Europe. The generic placement of this species is in flux. While treated here as in Persicaria, it has also been placed in Polygonum or Bistorta. The common names for this plant are also diverse. Alternative names include:

Common bistort
Adderwort
Dock
Dragonwort
Easter giant
Easter ledger
Easter ledges
Easter magiant
Easter man-giant
Gentle dock
Great bistort
Osterick
Oysterloit
Passion dock
Patience dock (but this is also used for Rumex patienta)
Patient dock
Pink pokers
Pudding grass
Pudding dock
Red legs
Snakeweed
Twice-writhen
Water ledges

The Latin name 'bistorta' and the common name 'snakeweed' refer to the twisted appearance of the root. The plant was used to make a bitter pudding in Lent from a combination of the plant's leaves, oatmeal, egg and other herbs.

Persicaria Bistorta

See also