Flora of Northern Ireland
  • Persicaria amphibia (L.) Gray - Amphibious Bistort - Polygonaceae
Persicaria amphibia
© Graham Day
Persicaria amphibia
© Ralph Forbes
Persicaria amphibia
© Graham Day
Persicaria amphibia
(Map updated: March 2008)
Persicaria amphibia
© Graham Day
Persicaria amphibia
© Ian Dodkins
 

'Amphibious' refers to the ability of this native species of bistort to grow in either aquatic or terrestrial habitats, often both at the same site such as in lakes and on their dry shores. In water, the leaves float on the surface. The flowers are small and pink in small spikes. It is common and widespread across Northern Ireland around lakes, rivers and canals, especially in the south and east.

An alternative name is Polygonum amphibium.

All names: Persicaria amphibia (L.) Gray; Polygonum amphibia L.; Polygonum amphibium L.

NBN Atlas mapping: Species account : NBN Atlas UK Species Observations database

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database