48 MEMOIRS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE. 
[Prate 11.] 
11. Polygonum ferrugineum Weddell. 
Polygonum ferrugineum Weddell, Ann. Sci. Nat. (III.) 13: 252 (1849). 
Polygonum spectabile Martius; Meisner in Mart. Fl. Bras. 5: 13. ¢. 3 (1855) and in 
DC. Prodr. 14: 119: 
Polygonum gunamiferum Weddell, Ann. Sci. Nat. (III.) 13: 252 (1849)? 
Perennial, nearly glabrous but more or less scurfy. Stem erect, 6-9 dm. long, 
glabrous, somewhat fleshy below, simple or sparingly branched above, internodes short; 
leaves lanceolate, 5-17 em. long, 1-3.3 em. broad, acuminate at both ends, bearing a few 
short hairs on the petiole and midrib; petiole 1-2 cm. long; ocreae cylindric, 2-4 em. 
long, sparingly fringed when young, at length eciliate, the older ones more or less in- 
flated, imbricated on the stem; inflorescence paniculate, nearly simple, the ultimate 
divisions ending in spicate racemes; racemes linear, 2-4 em. long, erect, densely-flow- 
ered; ocreolae funnelform, 5 mm. long, acutish and serrate at the surnmit; pedicels at 
length 2-3 mm. long; calyx pink, 3-4 mm. long, rather strongly nerved; stamens six 
or seven, included; style 1-1.5 mm. long, two-parted to near the base, somewhat 
exserted; achene lenticular, 3-3.5 mm. long, orbicular, strongly biconvex, its faces often 
slightly biconcave near the apex, nearly black, smooth and shining. 
The West Indies and eastern Brazil. 
