#bistort

Plant of the Day

Monday 11 December 2023

The foliage of herbaceous perennial Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' (bistort) is burgundy-plum in spring with a silvery, metallic, chevron marking, which gradually turns red as the foliage becomes greener. The tiny white flowers appear in late summer.

Highland Meadow of Lilies & Bistort

Location: Jumonji-Toge Pass, Nagano Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 09:41 on July 5, 2023

Situated between the summits of Mt. Meshimori and Mt. Omori lies the picturesque Jumonji-Toge Pass, a lush highland expanse adorned with vibrant flowers that thrive throughout the majority of the summer season.

During the period from late June to mid-July, the southern slope of Mt. Omori comes alive with the bloom of Amur daylilies. Amidst this sea of yellow and green, the presence of bistort flowers gracefully emerge, their delicate heads adding a delightful texture to the floral tapestry.

For more information, visit the Pix4Japan blog (https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20230705-mt-meshimori). I have curated all details and provided helpful links.

Burn dried powdered bistort to banish ghosts, wafting the fragrance as needed.

Searching on-line, the pictures that come up first tend to be from the park’s short summer when a rainbow of flowers quickly bloom and then set seed in just one to two months. These subalpine meadows, found where the trees fade out near tree-line, lie for so many months hidden under snow. The snow sometimes lasts into July, like this year. It gives us such a short time to hike the trails through the park’s meadows. And then, in September or October, the snow flakes might fly again and bury the meadows by November.

What’s you favorite memory of these wildflower meadows?

Did you hike or backpack one of the many trails through the meadows spread around the mountain? Did you stop to see a ground squirrel gathering seeds or a deer browsing on plants?

Which subalpine meadow is your favorite? Paradise, Sunrise, Spray Park, Tipsoo Lake, or one of the many along the Wonderland Trail or Northern Loop?

Please remember when next you enjoy one of these beautiful places to stay on the trail. Staying on the trails allows the plants to grow, bloom, and set seeds for the next generation next year. Help keep your meadows flowering for years to come. Thank you. For more information, please try these links. https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/wildflower-status.htm https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm