110 



for colouring wine and confectionery ; but their use for this purpose 

 is in some countries now forbidden. Our two indigenous species — 

 P stricta and P. ahyssinica bear thick tuberous roots, and are known 

 to the natives as u-Mahaden. These roots are said to be highly 

 poisonous. The berries of P. octandra are used in the West Indies 

 instead of soap, and it is quite probable that its roots are also 

 poisonous. P. dioica is a tree, native of South America, and is com- 

 monly known as " Belbambra " or " Bella-sombra." Its trunk and 

 roots are much swollen, but the wood is soft and of no value. In 

 South Africa some years ago it had a great reputation as a wind 

 break, but it is now seldom planted. 

 Nimiber of species about 60. 



Flowers 3 bracteate. Stamens 5-30. Drupes fleshy. Phytolacca. 



ORDER CXXXIV. POLYGONACE^. 



This Order wiU. perhaps, be best known from the fact that it 

 includes the different species of Rhubarb. The medicinal or " Turkey " 

 Rhubarb is the rootstock of Rheum palmatum, B. officinale, and pro- 

 bably of other species also, especially of those of B. Bhaponticum, 

 which is the species cultivated for its petioles, which are so much uped 

 in cookery. B. undulatuin is similarly used, and there are numerous 

 varieties. The common " Dock " is well known and is a species of 

 Rumex. Most of the species of this genus are troublesome weeds ; 

 but the leaves of B. patentia, known in some parts of England as 

 '' Patient leaves," and B. acetosa as " •**'orrell," are used as substitutes 

 for Spinach. Fagopyrum esculentum is the Buckwheat, and its seeds 

 are largely used as substitutes for the cereals, and as food for animals. 

 Some other species of the Order are used both as food and medicinally, 

 but they are not of much importance. 



Number of species more than 600. 



(Ex. Dock; Ivendhle.) 



Perianth 5-fid. Stamens 8. Anthers versatile. Stigma 



capitate. . 1 



Perianth 4-6 fid. Stamens 1-6. Anthers erect. Stigmas 



pencilled. 2 



1 Nuts 3- winged. Oxygonum. 



1 Nuts not winged, compressed, or 3-angled. Polygonum. 



2 Outer 3 lobes of perianth in fruit largest, spinous. Emex. 

 2 Outer 3 lobes of perianth in fruit smallest, not 



spinous. Rumex. 



