bistort Hear it!

bistort Definition

bis·tort (bis′tôrt′)

noun

any of several perennial northern and alpine plants (genus Polygonum) of the buckwheat family, whose twisted roots furnish an astringent

Etymology: MFr bistorte < OFr < ML bistorta, lit., twice twisted < L bis, double (see binary) + tortus, pp. of torquere, to twist

bistort Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • alpine: We also saw alpine bistort and goldenrod, dwarfed by the conditions, and mountain everlasting, sensibly covered in dense white hairs.
  • amphibious: Frogbit, fringed water lily and amphibious bistort are all attractive floating plants.