(Left) Meadows of white western bistort interspersed with the orange blooms of Indian paintbrush grow at the foot of Old Hyndman Peak, above treeline in Central Idaho's Pioneer Range (10,500').The profusion of bright red, and cottony white flowers provide a scenic foreground for surrounding peaks.
The Poke Knotweed, Polygonum phytolaccifolium. The poke knotweed, variously known also as the alpine knotweed, pokeweed, and fleeceflower does bear some slight resemblance to the common pokeweed (Phytolacca americana--Pokeweed family, Phytolaccaceae). The species name ,“phytolaccifolium,” implies that our plant's leaves resemble those of that plant.* The poke knotweed is a common sub-alpine plant that grows in moist situations and blooms from midsummer on. Given its distinctive appearance, it is unlikely to be confused with any other plant found in similar surroundings.
*The etymology of the lacc- stem is interesting. It is derived from a Hindustani word, lakh, for an insect that secretes a bright red sticky material used as a pigment--whence the artist's “crimson lake”. The same material, when decolorized and dried is know as "shell lac"--whence "shellac."
