8o 



BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 



3. R. crispus L. Curly Dock. Stems stout, V/ 2 ft. or 

 more high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate from a broad base, the 

 blade 4 to 10 in. long. Flowers in long very dense panicles 

 with nearly erect branches and few leaves, the clusters com- 

 pact and red-brown in fruit. Fruiting sepals with broad 

 veiny border. — Common around weedy meadows and in 

 moist places at moderate altitudes. 



4. R. conglomerates Murr. Green Dock. Stems clustered, 

 2 to 4 ft. high. Leaves oblong, the lower with broad base, the 

 blade 3 to 6 in. long. Flowers in clusters along the slender 

 spreading leafy branches. Fruiting sepals nearly covered by 

 the callous grain. — Low, damp ground in Yosemite Valley 

 and probably common in all similar places. 



5. R. salicifolius Weinm. Willow Dock. Stems 1 to 3 ft. 

 high. Leaves willow-like, narrowed to both ends, 2 to 5 in. 

 long, pale. Flowers in dense clusters, on short spreading 

 branches, only the lower of which are leafy. — To be expected 

 at low altitudes. 



5. OXYRIA. Alpine Sorrel. 

 O. digyna Camptd. Stems numerous and tufted on a 

 thick root, 3 in. to 1 ft. high. 

 Leaves all basal, kidney-shaped, 

 24 to 2 in. across, on very long 

 petioles. Flowers in a narrow 

 panicle with erect branches. 

 Calyx reddish, of 2 outer spread- 

 ing sepals and 2 inner erect ones. 

 Stamens 6. Stigmas 2, sessile on 

 the ovary which develops into 

 a compressed 2-winged akene. 



The Alpine Sorrel is a char- 

 acteristic inhabitant of moist 

 places among rocks at high ele- 

 vations, invariably indicating the 

 Alpine Zone. It is readily known 

 by its broad and smooth succu- 

 lent leaves, which have a pleas- 

 ant, acid taste, and by the 

 reddish tint, especially of the 

 flowers. 



6. POLYGONUM. Knotweed. 

 Leafy herbs, one species woody at base. Leaves alternate, 

 entire, their stipules forming membranous sheaths around 



