210 PLATYSTEMON 



Platyste'mon — continued. 



P. califor'nicus — continued. 



foliage, forming a tuft studded with numerous 

 large-petalled pale yellow flowers about an 

 inch across. It makes a charming rock or 

 border plant. On the lower Californian hills 

 it is quite common. 1833. Height 6 to 9 ins. 

 June. 



P. leiocar'pum is very similar to the above. N. 

 California, 1837. July. 



Sow seed ^ in. deep in masses outdoors in 

 April, thinning seedlings to 3 ins. apart. Water 

 freely in hot weather. They are vigorous plants, 

 sowing themselves freely and soon taking posses- 

 sion of a bed if allowed to. 



Poly'gonum — Knot-weed, Prince's Feather, Persicaria, 

 Ragged Sailor (from Gr. polus, many, and gonu, a 

 knee, in allusion to the knotty stems). Nat. Ord. 

 Polygonacece. 



This is a very large family, mostly perennials, 

 but there are a few annuals, of which one only is in 

 general cultivation. 



P. orienta'le. For wild gardens and shrubberies 

 this is a fine plant, with luxuriant foliage and 

 stout stems bearing drooping racemes of 

 crimson flowers in July. Height 3 to 5 ft. 

 East Indies, 1707. 



P. orientaHe al'hum is a variety of the above, bearing 

 an abundance of elegant white flowers on 

 slender arching stems. 3 to 5 ft. high. 



