PLANTS. 315 



ers, green, standing singly, close to the stem. Grows 

 on downs lying along the sea-coasts ; strays sometimes 

 a short distance inland, in good sandy soils. Found 

 from New England to Georgia. Used, with other vari- 

 eties of the species, in the preparation of Soda, and cul- 

 tivated largely in Spain, for this sole purpose. It is first 

 burned into ashes, from which the soda is extracted. 



FIFTY-SECOND FAMILY. POLYGONE.E. Herhs, rare- 

 ly shrubs, with alternate leaves. (Class 6, L.) 



Buckwheat (Polygonum fagopyrum). Stem erect 

 and smooth ; leaves heart-shaped, with distinct rounded 

 lobes. Native of Middle Asia, but naturalized in 

 Northern Europe and United States. Grows well in 

 poor and sandy soils, or rough, hilly districts. The 

 seed makes good grits or groats ; the farinaceous albu- 

 men affords a delicious article of food in Buckwheat 

 Cakes, which, when skillfully made, very few refuse. 

 The white, glandular flowers are a favorite resort of 

 the honey-bees, and afford a rich reward for their labors, 

 although the honey is of inferior quality. It is a pecu- 

 lar belief that white hogs can not eat buckwheat without 

 injury; said to create a species of madness, while the 

 black swine feed on it with impunity. O. 



Sour or Curled Sorrel Dock (Rumex acetosa). Rad- 

 ical leaves, heart-shaped, on long petioles ; flowers in, 

 crowded verticillate fascicles ; color slightly red. Stem 

 two or three feet high ; grows in meadows or gardens. 

 The radical leaves of this plant are often used as a pot- 

 herb, early greens, or salad, both in Germany and our 

 own country. Root and seed disagreeable and acerb. O- 



Rhubarb (Rheum australe). A shrubby plant about 

 five feet in height; leaves roundish and heart-shaped. 

 Native of China and Tartary. Flowers reddish ; root 



