Bistorta sp.
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Annual · Variable; species dependent
Bistorta sp. is a non-native California annual in the Polygonaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Triantha: Bistorta has cylindrical fuzzy spikes; Triantha has more open sticky flower clusters.; vs Valeriana: Bistorta has dense bottlebrush spikes and simple leaves; Valeriana has branched clusters and divided leaves.; vs Plantago: Bistorta has white fuzzy bottlebrush spikes; Plantago has thin greenish spikes with tiny flowers.; vs Oxyria: Bistorta has dense flower spikes and plump seeds; Oxyria has loose flower clusters and winged fruits.; vs Persicaria: Bistorta has bottlebrush spikes on unbranched stems; Persicaria has branched stems and papery stem sheaths.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bistorta sp. native to California?
No. Bistorta sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Bistorta sp. belong to?
Bistorta sp. is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Bistorta.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.