BULLETIN 
‘OF THE 
TORREY BOTANICAL CLUB. 
Vol. XIX.) New York, December 15, 1892. [No. 12. 
A Preliminary List of American Species of Polygonum, 
By JoHn K, SMALL. 
The following list and notes are the results of some research on 
the genus Polygonum as occuring in America, and are prelimin- 
ary to an exhaustive study of the morphology, histology and 
Systematic classification of the genus. 
The work was taken up at the suggestion of Dr. Britton and 
from a short study the suggestion proves to be a seasonable one, 
for it is time that some light should be thrown on the American 
species of this group of plants which is in such confusion and 
which has been so little understood by our best botanists. 
The Columbia College Herbarium is especially advantageous 
for this work, for in it are preserved the collections and types of 
_ the late Dr. C. F. Meisner who spent so many years in the study 
; of Polygonez. I have also been assisted much by Captain John 
Donnell Smith, Dr. Geo. Vasey and Dr. B. L. Robinson, all of 
whom have put their respective collections at my disposal. 
The geographical distribution of the species is indicated by 
the citation of localities and collectors as represented in these 
four herbaria. 
SECTION I.—BISTORTA. 
I. POLYGONUM BISTORTOIDES, Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 271 (1814). 
P. Bistorta, L. var. oblongtfolium, Meisn., in D.C. Prodr. 
_ Xiv. 126 (1856). oe : | 
- Colorado: Lake City (Pease); alpine parts of <a eed 
Mountains (Parry); Wyoming: Yellowstone Fark (CH. ); 
