One of the most photogenic wild foods in my calendar, Bistort has a history of traditionally culinary and medicinal uses throughtout the Brtiish Isles.
The leaves and young shoots can be eaten, the roots used medicinally and the flowers for cut flower purposes.
• Roots: Rich in tannic and gallic acids; used medicinally for wound treatment and as an astringent.
• Leaves: Edible; traditionally used in dishes like dock pudding in Northern England.
• Young Shoots: Can be steamed or boiled for culinary use.
Leaves can be found Apr-Sep and the young shoots more often found in Apr-Jun.
Flowering typically occurs in June and July.
Prefers moist, nutrient-rich environments, often found in natural or cultivated settings.
