POLYGONACE^. 339 



inflorescence, in the axils of sheathing or concave bracts. 

 Perianth segments five, stamens eight. Stigmas three, 

 capitate. Nut biconvex or three-angled, enclosed in 

 the slightly enlarged, occasionally fleshy, perianth. 

 Embryo more or less to one side of the nut, with 

 narrow cotyledons. 



Species 200. Almost all over the world. Fr, Renouee. 

 Ger, Knoterich. 



More or less prickly water-plants ..... P. strigosum. 

 Large almost shrubby plants with ovai leaves and two ear- 

 like appendages at the base of the stalk ... P. chinense. 

 Annual wayside weed of 6 to 18 inches .... P. alatum. 



Polygonum alatum Hano.; F.B.I. v 41, III 41. An 

 annual herb. Stems and branches sometimes weak 

 near the base and rooting at the lower nodes, 6 to 18 

 inches. Stipule Ji to J^ inch, tubular at the base, 

 widening to a very oblique mouth. Leaves ovate deltoid, 

 narrowed to the short clasping stalk. Peduncles 

 slender. Clusters subtended by a small leaf (or large 

 leaf-like bract) : bracts of the flowers acute. Nut 

 biconvex or trigonal. 



Road-side and garden weed. Ootacamund, etc. Kodai- 

 kanal. Flowering after the rains. Fyson 1847, 2646, 2083,* 

 2593. Bourne 708, 5203. 



Gen. Dist. Mountains of India, Ceylon, Afghanistan, Java, Japan, 

 Abyssinia. 



Polygonum chinense Linn. ; F.B.I, v 44, III 48. Almost 

 shrubby. Stem tall stout, branched, glabrous. Stipular 

 tube ^ to I inch, with long wavy point. Leaves 3 to 

 5 inches, ovate-oblong, acuminate, finely serrate : stalk 

 J4 to I inch, with two ear-like expansions at the base. 

 Ultimate peduncles divaricate, covered with short 

 glandular hairs. Clusters /4 to ^ inch. Flowers usually 

 white with a little pink, also pink or purplish. Nuts 



32.A 



