122 History of Hingham. 



63. PHYTOLACCACEiE. (TOKEWEED FAMILY.) 



A small family of herbs or undershrubs, chiefly natives of the 

 tropics. We have only one species, — the Garget or Pokeberry, 

 the root of which is poisonous. 



Phytolacca, Tourn. 



decandra, L. Poke. 



64. POLYGONACEiE. (BUCKWHEAT FAMILY.) 



This order includes a few trees and shrubs, but is almost en- 

 tirely composed of herbaceous plants, principally natives of the 

 north temperate zones, but found in nearly all parts of the world. 

 Some species are medicinal, some furnish dyes, and to the food 

 supply of the earth the order contributes Buckwheat, Rhubarb 

 (the stalks of which are edible, the leaves containing so much 

 oxalic acid as to be poisonous), and the fruits of some East and 

 West Indian species. 



Polygonum, Tourn. 



orientate, L. Prince's Feather. 



Pennsylvanicum, L. 



lapathifolium, L., var. inearnatum, Watson. 



Persicaria, L. Lady's Thumb. 



Hydropiper, L. Smartweed. 



acre, H. B. K. Water Smartweed. 



hydropiperoides, Mx. Mild Smartweed. 



Muhlenbergii, Watson. Water Persicaria. 



aviculare, L. Knotgrass. 



erectum, L. Rare. 



ramosissimum, Mx. 



tenue, Mx. 



arifolium, L. Halberd-leaved Tear-thumb. 



sagittatum, L. Arrow-leaved Tear-thumb. 



Convolvulus, L. Bindweed. 



dumetorum, L., var. scandens, Gray. 



cilinode, Mx. 

 Fagopyrum, Tourn. 



esculentum, Moench. Buckwheat. Rare. 



Rumex, L. 



salicifolius, Weinmann. White Dock. 



crispus, L. Curled Dock. 



obtusifolius, L. Bitter Dock. 



sanguineus* L. Bloody- veined Dock. Rare. 



Acetosella, L. Sorrel. 



65. LAURACE.2EJ. (LAUREL FAMILY.) 



A very important order of trees and shrubs, natives of Amer- 

 ica, Europe (one species), and Asia, but mostly tropical. 



The character pervading the order is a pleasant aroma, and 



