224 POLYGONE^:. [Polygonum. 



* Styles 3. Nut triquetrous. 



1. P. Bistorta, Linn. Bistort, or Snakeweed. Stem simple, 

 bearing one spike ; leaves ovate, waved, the radical ones taper- 

 ing into a footstalk. Br. Fl. I. p. 182. E. Fl. v. ii. p. 236. 

 E. Bot. t. 509. 



Moist pastures, rather rare. Field at Ballickey, Bantry ; Miss 

 Hutchins. Near Moira ; Mr. Templeton. Near Monkstown ; Major 

 P. Pratt. Spring-hill, near Moneyraore, on limestone, abundant ; 

 Mr. D. Moore. Fl. June. %. One to one and a half foot high. 

 Upper leaves with long sheaths. Spikes cylindrical, dense. Flowers 

 flesh-coloured, on short foot-stalks, with small bracteas at their base. 

 Stamens 8. Styles 3. Perianth pale flesh-coloured, almost white. 



2. P. aviculare, Linn. Knot-grass. Flowers nearly solitary, 

 axillary ; leaves elliptico-lanceolate ; stipules much shorter than 

 the leaves, nerves of the stipules distant; stem procumbent, 

 herbaceous. Br. Fl. 1. p. 182. 



. Fruit included within the perianth, striated with raised 

 points. P. aviculare, Linn. E. Bot. t. 1252. E. Fl. v. ii. p. 

 238. 



P. Fruit longer than the perianth, quite smooth on the sur- 

 face ; (leaves elliptic, flaccid.) P. marinum, JRaii Syn. 147 ; 

 excluding all the synonyms. 



Waste places, way-sides, and paved courts, common. &. Sea-coast 

 near Sandy mount, and elsewhere near Dublin. FL May Sept. 0. 

 Varying- much in size. I have long thought, as Dr. Hooker does, that 

 the maritime var. <3. will prove a distinct species from the common P. 

 aviculare. It is much larger in all its parts, with procumbent widely 

 spreading stems. Bracteas large and scariose. Flowers twice the 

 size of , and the fruit much larger, protruded, and even on the surface. 

 It may be readily distinguished at first sight by its large flaccid leaves, 

 which are of a pale green colour. 



3. P. Fagopyrum, Linn. Buck-wheat. Leaves cordato- 

 sagittate; stem nearly upright, without prickles ; angles of the 

 fruit even. Br. Fl. 1. p. 182. E. Fl. v. ii. p. 239. E. Bot. t. 

 1044. 



Cultivated ground, but introduced by cultivation, being often sown 

 as food for pheasants and other poultry. Fl. July, Aug. . Stem 

 nearly erect, waved, one foot high, branched. Flowers in spreading 

 panicles, terminal and lateral, pale reddish. 



4. P. Convolvulus, Linn. Climbing Buck-wheat. Leaves 

 cordato-sagittate, stem twining, angular; segments of the peri- 

 anth bluntly keeled. Br. FL 1. p. 183. E. FL v. ii. p. 239. 

 E.Bot.t. 941. 



Corn-fields, frequent. Fl. July, Aug. 0. Very long, climbing. 

 Spikes of four, whorled, greenish flowers, lateral and leafy. 



* -if. Styles mostly 2. Nuts compressed. 



5. P. amphibium, Linn. Amphibious Persicaria. Flowers 



