LENT1BULARJ/E 41 3 



much to recommend them a long period of bloom, 

 astonishing hardiness or, as one might say, indestruct- 

 ibility, charming flowers, whose agreeable shade goes 

 well with any general colour-scheme. To ensure vigorous 

 growth and prolonged florescence, nothing is needed but 

 a stony soil and an open, sunny position; nudicaulis, 

 however, requires the soil to be dense and rich in 

 humus. 



Of the Polygoneae, to which belong several valuable 

 sources of food-stuffs, such as buckwheat, sorrel, rhubarb, 

 or medicinal herbs, as bistort and dock, one may mention 

 two, J^umex and Pohgonum. 



Rumex 



"Eng. : Dock ; Fr. : Oscillc ; Ger. : Sauerampfer. 



This genus contains two striking varieties : 

 J{. scutatus (PI. XC). Common on rock-falls; in itself 

 of no importance but often welcome to a thirsty tourist, 

 who has found relief in the acidity of the leaves. Stems 

 slender, branched ; leaves glaucous, with large basal 

 lobes; flowers greenish, unattractive. 



7^. alpinus* (Rhubarbe des Moines, Lappis or Lappe). 

 A plant with coarse, dark green, reddish foliage; stems 

 erect ; flowers green and reddish. Abundant round 

 alpine chalets, where it forms literally solid fields, leaving 

 no room for other plants. Valued as a depurative and 

 purgative; recommended by many for cancer. 



Polygonum 



"Eng. : Knotweed ; Fr. : Renouee ; Ger. : Knoterich. 



Among the host of the Polygonums which are a world- 

 wide family of over a hundred and fifty species, mostly 



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