American Bistort-Polygonum bistortoides

Nestled among grasses and sedges in wet meadows from about 7,000 to 10,000 feet, little white cotton balls appear. Upon closer inspection, one can see that they are small flowers. This is American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides), also called snakeweed, western knotweed, and western bistort, and formerly having the genus name Bistorta.

It is native to western North America. Those with sensitive noses may be able to identify this flower by smell--some say it smells like dirty socks.

For more information about American bistort, click here.