No. 14.] FLOWERING PLANTS AND FERNS. 1 59 



erby), Glastonbury (Bissell), Hartford (Harger, Bissell). 

 June —July. 



Rumex obtusifolius L. (blunt-leaved). 

 Bitter, Broad or Blunt-leaved Dock. 



Common. Fields, waste places and about habitations. 

 June — Aug. Naturalized from Europe. 

 The root is medicinal. 



Rumex Acetosa L. (sour). 



Sorrel or Belleville Dock. Cock, Garden or Meadow Sorrel. 



Rare. In grassland: Norwich (Mrs. E. E. Rogers), 

 Southington (Bissell, Andrews), Litchfield (W. Buell). May 

 — June, Adventive from Europe. 



Sometimes cultivated for spring greens. 



Rumex Acetosella L. (diminutive of Acetosa). 



Sheep, Red, Field, Common, House or Cow Sorrel. Sour 



Grass. 



Common. Fields, waste places and cultivated ground, 

 usually in poor neglected soil. April — June. Naturalized 

 from Europe. 



Often a troublesome weed, especially in lawns where it 

 persists even when frequently cut. The leaves are eaten by 

 children, but are poisonous when eaten freely. Sometimes 

 used for spring greens. Medicinal. 



POLYGONUM L. Knotweed. 



Polygonum exsertum Small (protruding). 



Rare. Salt and brackish marshes: East Haven (Harger, 

 A. L. Winton), Orange (Bissell), Westport and Stamford 

 (Fames & C. C. Godfrey). Fruit Sept. — Oct. 



Polygonum prolificum (Small) Robinson (producing off- 

 spring; fruitful). 

 Polygonum raiiiosissiintim Michx., var. proliHcum Small. 



Occasional eastward and frequent or locally common west- 

 ward in marshes and on shores along the coast ; also occurs 

 along a moist roadside in Litchfield (Bissell). Fruit Aug. — 

 Oct. 



