PERSICARIA TRIBE. 541 



in spikes ; stamens 6 ; styles forked ; stipules fringed. 

 Waste and damp ground, abundant. A common weed 

 1 2 feet nigh, distinguished by its rather large leaves 

 stained with purple, and numerous oblong spikes of 

 greenish or pinkish- white flowers. Fl. July, August. 

 Annual. 



* P. Iqpathifolium (Pale-flowered Persicaria) closely 

 resembles the last; it is distinguished by having 2 

 distinct, instead of forked styles, and by not having the 

 stipules fringed ; in both species the leaves are sometimes 

 white with silky down. 



8. P. Hydropiper (Water-Pepper). Stem erect; 

 leaves narrow, tapering ; flowers in loose, drooping spikes ; 

 stamens 6. Ditches and places where water has stood 

 during winter, abundant. Well distinguished by its 

 slender, drooping spikes of greenish flowers. The fresh 

 juice is acrid, but not of an unpleasant flavour, and is 

 said to cure pimples on the tongue. Fl. August, Sep- 

 tember. Annual. 



* Some botanists reckon three other species of Poly- 

 gonum, besides the foregoing, but they are of rare occur- 

 rence and difficult to be distinguished, with the excep- 

 tion of P. minus, several stations for which are given ; 

 it resembles P. Hydropiper, but is a smaller plant 

 with upright spikes, narrower leaves, and nearly undi- 

 vided styles. 



2. EUMEX (Dock, Sorrd). 



* Flowers having both stamens and pistils ; herbage 



not acid. 



1. R. Hydroldpathum (Great Water-Dock). Leaves 

 narrow, elliptical, tapering at both ends, the lower ones 

 heart-shaped at the base ; enlarged segments of the 

 perianth bluntly triangular, tubercled. Eiver-banks, 

 frequent. A picturesque plant 4 6 feet high, with 

 exceedingly large leaves, and several stems which bear 



