Practical
Plants

Polygonum manshuriense

Asian Bistort

a perennial member of the Polygonum genus in the family Polygonaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.75 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root contains tannins and flavonoids[6]. It is used in Korea to treat diarrhoea[6].

Product or use
Astringent

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Korea and eastern Siberia.
Habitat
Grassy slopes, forest margins and valleys at elevations of 800 - 1800 metres in northern China[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually free and easy. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have reached sufficient size. If not, overwinter them in a cold frame and plant them out the following spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on the cultivation requirements of this plant, though judging by its habitat and range it is probably hardy throughout Britain. The following notes are for the closely related P. bistorta and probably also apply to this species[K]. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1] but prefers a moisture retentive not too fertile soil in sun or part shade[3]. The plant repays generous treatment[1]. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[2]. Plants are somewhat spreading, forming quite extensive colonies[2] especially in low-lying pastures[7]. They seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  5. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  6. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2

  7. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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