108 



FLORA OF JAMAICA 



Burner 



2. R. obtusifolius L. Sp. PI 335 (1753); leaves ovate- 

 oblong, becoming lanceolate above, obtuse to acute, b9,se cordate 

 to rounded or pbtuse ; whorls of flowers distant in fruit in a 

 long, narrow panicle, leafy below ; flowers hermaphrodite ; valves 

 triangular, with raised reticulation, base with 3 linear-subulate 

 teeth on each side, median nerve with or without a callus. — 

 Meim. torn. cit. 53 ; Lindan loc. cit. (Fig. 32.) 



Fig. SZ.—Runux obtusifolhu L. 



A, Portion of panicle in fruit. 



B, Flower. 



■C, Persistent perianth enclosing fruit. 

 D, Fruit with persistent i)erianth but 



lenjfthwise. 

 B, Po. cut transversely. 



F, Fruit cut lengthwige at right anele.s 



toD. 



G. Leaf. 



a, callus ; e, cotyledons ; Cr endt«perni ;* 

 r, radicle. 



*Base of Catherine's Peak, 4500 ft., Harris \ Fl. Jam. 7660.— Cuba. 

 Widely distributed in the north temperate regions of the Old World, 

 perhaps an introduction in the New World. 



Stem 2-8 ft. Leaves l*6-3 dm. 1. Valves &bout 5 mm. \. 



3. ,R. Acetosella L. Sp. PL 338 (1753); leaves oblong to 

 linear or lanceolate (in the Jamaican specimen oblong-elliptical), 

 hastate ; panicle, leafless ;• flowers di<i!cious ; valves herbaceous, 

 unchanged in fruit, ovate, without callus. — Meisn. torn. cit. 63. 



In damp places along roadside, Hardware Gap, 4000 ft. (without flowers), 

 Harris ! Fl. Jam. 10,114. — North temperate and arctic zones; introduced 

 in the south. 



Stem very variable in height, low-growing to 5 dm. Leaves 1-5 to 

 5 cm. 1. • ' 



