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Bistorta bistortoides
Bistorta bistortoides (American bistort, western bistort, smokeweed, mountain meadow knotweed, mountain buckwheat or mountain meadow buckwheat) is a perennial herb in the buckwheat and knotweed family Polygonaceae. DescriptionBistorta bistortoides plants generally grow to 10–51 centimetres (4–20 inches) tall.[2] Individuals growing above 2,250 metres (7,380 feet) are smaller, seldom reaching more than 30 cm (12 in) in height. The leaves are leathery and 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) long,[2] being mostly basal on the stem. The dense cylindrical to oblong inflorescence is 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) long and packed with small white to pinkish flowers, each a few millimeters wide and with protruding stamens.[3] TaxonomyThe species name remains unresolved.[1] Distribution and habitatB. bistortoides is distributed throughout the Mountain West in North America from Alaska and British Columbia south into California and east into the Rocky Mountains.[4][5] The plant grows from foothills to above the timberline. EcologyRodents and bears consume the roots, and elk and deer browse the foliage.[2] UsesAmerican bistort was an important food plant used by Native Americans living in the Mountain West, including Blackfoot and Cheyenne peoples.[2] The roots are edible either raw or fire-roasted[6] with a flavor resembling chestnuts. The seeds can be dried and ground into flour and used to make bread. They were also roasted and eaten as a cracked grain.[7][8] The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.[2] References
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