A GUIDE TO THE WILD FLOWERS 313 



the middle of the blade. Flowers purplish, floating, long 

 stalked, about ^ in. wide. In still waters almost throughout 

 North America. August. Fig. 960. 



961. Water Persicaria. Persicaria amphibia. {Polygonum 

 amphibium.) (Polygonaceae.) A usually floating, rarely sub- 

 merged aquatic with stalked, toothless, sometimes hairy- 

 margined, oblong, slightly inequilateral leaves, 2-5 in. long. 

 Near the base of the leaf-stalk the stem has a bristly sheath. 

 Flowers small, pink, or rose-pink, crowded in a finger-shaped 

 cluster. In ponds or lakes. Quebec to Kentucky, and west- 

 ward. July. Fig. 961. See No. 294. 



