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| American Bistort; Uintas, 7/9/2020, David Kenison |
Also known as Western Bistort and Smokeweed. From the Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) family.
American Bistort is one of the most common mountain wildflowers. The bright white thimble-like heads standing on tall stalks 12" high or more are frequently intermixed in fields of lupine, paintbrush, and other mountain flowers. Sometimes they cover entire fields.
At tops of slender, erect, reddish stems bloom dense white or pale pink flower clusters.
The rhizome (underground root stem) are eaten by rodents and bears, and were prized by Native Americans for their pleasant, starchy taste. Deer and elk enjoy the foilage; young leaves may be cooked as greens.
These photos were taken by the author at a variety of locations around Utah. Click to view enlargements.
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