246 APETALOUS EXOGENS 



5 to 9, mostly 8, arranged singly, or in pairs, opposite the calyx- 

 lobes. Styles 2 or 3, and the akene, consequently, either lenticular 

 or triquetrous ; embryo in a groove of the albumen, and curved half 

 way round it. Flowers fasciculate, often with sheathing bracts; 

 pedicels articulated. 



$1. Stems more or less erect. 

 f Flowers in terminal racemes or spikes. * Styles 2, and akene lenticular. 



1. P. orient&le, L. Tall ; hairy ; leaves ovate, acuminate ; stipules 

 herbaceous., salver-form, ciliate; stamens 7. 



ORIENTAL POLYGONUM. 



Annual. Stem 4 to 6 or 8 feet high, paniculately branched above. Leaves 4 to 

 6 inches long, often subcordate at base; petioles 1 to 2 inches in length, somewhat 

 winged by the decurrence of the leaves ; stipules tubular, with the border spread- 

 ing, or reflexed. Racemes numerous, 2 or 3 inches in length, nodding, on hirsute 

 peduncles; Flowers bright purple, rather large, crowded; pedicels rather longer 

 than the ciliate sheathing bracts. 

 Hob. Gardens, Ac. Nat. of Asia. Fl. July, Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This showy species has become naturalized about our gar- 

 dens, and cultivated lots. JOHN BARTRAM probably refers to it, in 

 a letter to Miss GOLDEN, where he says "The species of Persicary 

 thee mentions, is what TOURNEFORT brought from the three churches, 

 at the foot of Mount Ararat." 



2. R. IVimsylvfiHM um< L. Leaves lanceolate; stipules 

 scarious, smooth, not ciliate ; peduncles glandular-hispid ; stamens 

 5 or 8. 



PENNSYLVANIAN POLYGONUM. 



Annual. Stem 2 to 3 feet high, smooth below, and geniculate, with tumid 

 joints, paniculately branched and glandular-hispid above. Leaves 3 to 6 inches 

 long ; petioles % of an inch to an inch in length ; stipules tubular, truncate. 

 Racemes numerous, 1 to 2 inches in length, often somewhat nodding; flowers 

 bright rose-color, in crowded fascicles; pedicels rather longer than the smoothish 

 sheathing bracts. 

 Hob. Moist, low grounds ; road-sides, &c. : common. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



3. P. Persic&ria, L. Leaves lanceolate, usually marked with a dark 

 lunate or triangular spot near the middle ; stipules hairy, ciliate ; 

 peduncles smooth ; stamens 6. 



PEACH-LEAVED POLYGONUM. Spotted Knot-weed. Lady's-thumb. 



Annual. Stem 1 to 2 feet high, somewhat branching, smooth, often purplish. 

 Leaves 2 to 4 inches long, tapering to petioles 1 'line to % of an inch in length ; 

 stipules tubular, fringed with bristles about % the length of the tube. Racemes 

 about an inch long; flowers purple, or bright crimson, on pedicels about as long as 

 the sheathing bracts. 

 Hob. Waste places. Nat. of Europe. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This has become a common weed, among us. 



4. P. am phi hi ii m. L. Leaves lance-oblong, subcordate at 

 base ; stipules not ciliate ; peduncles glandular-hispid ; stamens 5. 

 AMPHIBIOUS POLYGONUM. 



