Order 96. Polygonacece. 273 



* P. aZatitm, leaves ovate, narrowed into a broadly winged, often 

 stem-clasping petiole, stipules tabular, obliquely truncate, flowers 

 white, or pale purple, stamens 7 or 8 included, nut crowned by the 

 sepals. Canara (H.) He has 7 vars. P. pedunculare, smooth stem, 

 sometimes prickly, leaves elliptic, the base very variable, stamens 5 

 to 8, with alternating glands, nut roundish, included. Konkan (H.). 



Rumex, stipules often disappearing with age, sepals 6, the inner 

 3 enlarging, and containing the fruit, stamens 6, styles 3, nuts 

 triangular. * R. denlatus, leaves oblong, obtuse, often contracted 

 above the rounded or cordate base, fruiting perianth with an oblong, 

 smooth tubercle, and broad, irregularly-toothed wings. Konkan 

 (H.). * R. nepalensis, tall and branched, radical leaves large, 

 oblong, ovate, with broad, or cordate base, racemes long, tubercle 

 as in the last, wings pectinated. Ghauts (/!.) ^k ^ ast f ur are 

 not in D. 



To this genus belong the docks and sorrels. R. vesicarius, country 

 sorrel, chulca, chdkvat, is cultivated. " The numerous species of 

 Polygonum and Rumex are scattered everywhere from the seashore 

 to the snow line." Le Haout. 



Fagopyrum esculentum (Polygonum fagopyrum, D.) is the common 

 buckwheat, supposed to belong originally to B. Asia, cultivated 

 throughout N. Asia and Central Europe, growing in the poorest soil, 

 and with little care. It is known to have been cultivated in England 

 in the 16th century. It has the red stems and spikes or panicles of 

 pinkish-white flowers characteristic of the Polygonums. F.taiaricum 

 (Polygonum^ t. D.) is cultivated in the Deccan and Guzerat, the grain 

 being eaten by Brahmins on fast days ; leaves broad, spikes of flowers 

 white, scarlet, or yellow, very handsome. Rijagar. 



To this order also belongs Rheum, rhubarb, of which many species 

 are found wild in the Himalayas. " The officinal rhubarb is the root 

 of an undetermined species. The best is said to come from the 

 very heart of Thibet, five or six hundred miles N. of Assam ; but it 

 is produced of one sort and another from many different species." 

 Balfour. 



ORDER 97. PODOSTEMONACE.E. 



Aquatic plants growing on stones in streams, flowers usually 

 enclosed in a spathe, inconspicuous, and generally very imper- 

 fect ; filaments flat, anthers 2-lobed. 



I know nothing of this order but from books, but in appearance 

 the species seem to be more like lichens than flowering plants, and 

 all known in India are of the smallest possible size. 



1. TERNIOLA. Stems confluent into an expanded horizontal 

 lobed frond, leaves minute, bristle-like, usually forming a 

 sheath round the base of the pedicel, perianth transparent, 

 3-lobed, stamens and style 3, capsule ovoid. 



T 



