POLYGONACE^. 824 POLYGONCM. 



5. P. MITE. Pers. P. hydropiperoides. Mx. 

 Stem mostly decumbent at base, erect and hairy above; /e//BC5 narrow, 



lanceolate, subliirsute ; sti/iul.rs hirsute, long-ciliute ; svkes linear; bracts 

 ciliate, subiriibricale ; sUuncnsH; styles '3. Ditches and ponds. Stem a foot 

 or more liigh. Leaves 2 — 4 inches long, one fifth as wide, sessile. Spikes 

 several, crowded near the summit of tlie stem, composed of small fascicles of 

 reddish flowers. July, Aug. Ann. Mdd or Tasteless Knol-gruss. 



6. P Virgini.\'num. 



Stem simple, angular, hairy above; leaves broad-lanceolate, acuminate; 

 spilds v\rga.le; flowers remote; c'//i/x unequally 4-parted; stavictis ^■, styles 

 2, unecjual. A large, erect species. Stem 3 feet high, with hairy stipules at 

 the nodes. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 3 — 5 inches long, ^ as wide, serrate- 

 ciliate, on short petioles. Flowers white, small, in very long, wand- like spikes. 

 Woods. June, July. Per. Virginian Knot-grass. 



7. P. Pennsylvani'cum. 



Stem smootli, tumid at the joints; leaves lanceolate, petiolate ; stipules 

 glabrous, not ciliate ; spikes oblong, crowded ; peiluncles hispid ; s.'amens 8 ; 

 styles 2 or L Margins of ponds and ditches. Stem geniculate, branched 

 above, 2 — 4 feet high. Leaves 3 — 5 inches long.i as wide, slightly scabrous. 

 Spikes short and dense, large, and somewhat nodding. Flowers large, rose- 

 colored, pedicellate. July. Ann. Knee Knot-grass. 



8. P. LAPATHIFO'lIUM. L. P.incarnatum. EU. 

 Slem geniculate, smooth ; leaves ovate-lanceolate, petiolate, often hoary 



beneath; spikes numerous, rather crowded, erect, on sc;tbrous peduncles; 

 stamens 6; styles 2. A rare species in swamps and ditches, N. Y. Stem 

 2 — 4 feet high. Leaves 3 — 5 inches long, ^ — ^ as wide. Petioles J — k inch 

 long. Flowers small, vvliite or tinged wiin red, in numerous, panicled 

 spikes. Aug. Ann. 



9. P. Persica'ria. 



Stem erect; /cfli;es lanceolate, the upper surface spotted; stipules fringed; 

 spikes dense, oblong, erect; pcdtmclts smooth; stamens C; styles 2, half 

 united. A common species about buildings, fences, wet grounds, tfcc. Stem 

 smooth, branched, leai'y, 1 — 2 feet high, often colored. Leaves 2 — 4 inclies 

 long and i as wide, entire, sliort stalked, acuminat(>. generally marked with a 

 brownish, heart-shaped spot near tiie middle. Flowers rose-colored, in short, 

 dense, terminal spikes. Jn. Ang. Ann. Spotted Pcrsicaria. 



10. p. orienta'le. 



Stem erect, paniculately branched ; leaves large, with hairy, salver-form 

 stipules; stamens 7 ; styles 2. JNative of the East, naturalized in fields <Tnd 

 roadsides. A tall, showy plant, often cultivated for ornament. Stem 5 — 8 

 feet high. Leaves 4 — 6 inches long, ^ as wide, ovate, acuminate. Spikes 

 numerous, large, red, plume-like, terminal. Aug. Ann. Prince's Feather. 



11. P. AMPHI'biuM. L. P. coccinium. p. 

 Stem suberect; leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate at apex, obtuse or sub- 

 cordate at base, rough-edged ; spike short, dense ; stamens 5 ; styles 2, half 

 united. Native of ponds, ditches, and muddy grounds. Stem thick, erect, 

 declining at base and rooting at the lower joints, 1 — 3 feet long. Stipules 

 tubular, smooth, often torn. Leaves lanceolate, 4 — G inches long, J- as wide, 

 scabrous on the midrib, nerves and margin. Flowers large, rose-rcd, ia 

 beautiful, dense spikes. Aug. Per. JSmpldbions Polygimum. 



j3. nutans {Hook. P. natans. Ea.) ; stems 3 — 10 feel long, spreading on the 

 surface of the water ; leaves ovate-lanceolate, cordate, smooth, margin ciliate j 

 spikes cylindric-oblong-. 



