304 . POLYGONACE^E. 



2. RUMEX. Linn. Dock. 



(Said to be derived from the Latin rumex, a pike or spear ; in reference to the 

 form of the leaves of some species.) 



Perianth 6 -leaved ; the three inner leaves somewhat colored, 

 larger, often with tubercles on the outside and closing in a val- 

 vate manner over the fruit. Stamens 6. Styles 3. Stigmas 

 many-cleft. Nut triquetrous. 



* Flowers perfect. Inner leaves of the perianth, or valves bearing tubercles. 



1. R aquaticus Linn.: leaves lanceolate, acute, the lower ones on long 

 petioles and cordate at base ; valves ovate, entire, all of them bearing tu- 

 bercles. 



Ponds and ditches. N. S. July, Aug. 1\.. Root large and very astringent. 

 Stem 3 4 feet high. Flowers whorled, in a terminal leafy panicle. Intro- 

 duced ? Water Dock. 



2. R. crispus Linn. : leaves lanceolate, acute, waved on the margin ; 

 upper whorls of flowers leafless ; valves very large, cordate, entire, veined, 

 one of them with a large tubercle. 



Pastures and meadows. Can. to Car. June, July. 9J.. Root large, fusi- 

 form, yellow. Stem 2 3 feet high, furrowed, paniculately branched above. 

 Flowers in crowded whorls, on pedicels. One of the valves with a large orange- 

 colored tubercle, the others with the midrib swollen at the base. Introduced 

 from Europe. Curled Dock. 



3. R. sanguineus Linn. : leaves lanceolate, somewhat cordate, petioled, 

 smooth, mostly with red veins ; whorls distant, on long generally leafless 

 branches ; valves small, oblong, entire, one at least with a tubercle. 



Fields and road sides. Can. to Car. June, July. 1|.. Stem 3 feet high. 

 Root leaves large, with blood-red veins. Flowers in small distant whorls. In- 

 troduced from Europe. Bloody Dock. 



4. R. Britannica Linn. : leaves broad-lanceolate, flat, smooth ; sheaths 

 obsolete ; racemes in a large terminal panicle, nearly leafless ; valves all 

 entire and usually with tubercles. - 



Swamps. Can. to Car. June, July. '2J.. Root fusiform, yellow internally. 

 Stem 2 4 feet high. Leaves large, on petioles. Flowers in a compound termi- 

 nal panicle. Yellow-rooted Water Dock. 



5. R. verticillatus Linn. : leaves lanceolate, acute, flat ; sheaths cylin- 

 dric; flowers whorled, in long leafless racemes ; valves broad-cordate, en- 

 tire, all bearing tubercles. 



Swampy grounds. N. S. June, July. 1\~ Stem 2 feet high, branching 

 above. Leaves long, lanceolate, narrow. Whorls distant, on dichotomous ra- 

 cemes or spikes. Pedicels of the fruit half an inch or more in length. 



Whorled Dock. 



G. R. pallidus Big. leaves linear-lanceolate, acute ; spikes slender ; 

 valves ovate, acute, entire, with large tubercles. 



Salt marshes. Mass. June. 1\-. Stems numerous, ascending, slightly fur- 

 rowed. Leaves smooth, petioled, more or less waved on the margin. Spikes 

 slender. Pale Dock. 



7. R. acutus Linn. : leaves cordate-oblong, acuminate ; whorls numerous, 

 small, leafy ; valves oblong, somewhat toothed, all with tubercles. 



