POLYGONACEiE. 79 



rally bent into an S-curvc. Stem erect, quite simple. Radical 

 leaves on long stalks, ovate, truncately or subcordately constricted at 

 the base and then decurrent on the petiole, obtuse or subobtuse ; stem 

 leaves similar to the radical leaves, but much smaller, narrower, more 

 acute, and on shorter stalks, the uppermost one subsessile. OchresB 

 not fringed. Raceme spikelike, oblong-cylindrical or oblong, erect, 

 solitary at the extremity of the stem, dense, continuous, not inter- 

 rupted or leafy at the base. Peduncles not glandular, smooth; pedicels 

 scarcely as long as the nut, articulated immediately below the perianth, 

 without glands. Perianth joale rose colour, without glands, and with 

 the veins slightly prominent in fruit. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free to the 

 base. Nut a little longer than the perianth, oval-obovate, triquetrous, 

 abruptly pointed, smooth, shining. Leaves glaucous beneath. 



In woods and meadows. Rather scarce, but generally distributed 

 over En2:land and the south of Scotland. North of the Forth and 

 Clyde it is probably an introduced plant, though perhaps it may be 

 native in the Isle of Skye. Very rare, but widely distributed in 

 Ireland. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Early Summer. 



Rootstock with enlargements at the apex of the branches resembling 

 the tubers of Arum maculatum in shape, but of a dark chestnut colour, 

 fleshy and pink within. Stem 1 to 2 feet high. Radical leaves 

 numerous, on stalks 3 inches to nearly a foot long; lamina 3 to 8 

 inches long, resembling that of Rumex obtusifolius, but with a de- 

 current strip running a short way down each side of the petioles, 

 with slightly undulated margins, not revolute when fiill-grown; 

 veins deeply impressed on the upper surface and prominent beneath; 

 stem leaves few, rapidly diminishing in size upwards. Ochreae very 

 long, extending beyond the base of the leaf on the side of the stem 

 opposite to it. Racemes dense, 1 to 2 inches long, with scarious brown 

 bracts not surrounding the rachis, terminating in long cuspidate 

 points. Perianth ^ inch long, pale rose or flesh colour. Stamens much 

 exserted. Styles exserted or included. Nut -^ inch long, brown, 

 highly polished. Plant deep green, the leaves slightly shinmg above, 

 glaucous and pubescent on the veins beneath. 



Common Bistort. 



French, Menouee historte. German, Wiesen Knoterich. 



Tlie Bistort is common in fields and meadows wliere the soil is moist, especially in 

 the northern counties. It is perennial, with a creeping root, which rapidly spreads 

 itself in favourable situations, and renders the plant a noxious and troublesome weed in 

 low pastures. The common name of the Bistort is Snakeweed, or Patience Dock, and 

 if we may believe that it effected a hundredth part of the cures which are attributed 



