76 Polygonaceae 



stems and usually sheathing united stipules; 

 flowers small, regular, perfect, monoecious, 

 dioecious or polygamous; petals none, calyx 

 2-6-parted, the segments more or less folded 

 over each other, sometimes petal-like; sta- 

 mens 2-9 dilated at the base and distinct or 

 united into a ring; ovary superior, one-celled 

 with a solitary ovule. 



Flowers not involucrate; stipules sheathing. 



Leaves reniform, sepals 4. Oxyria. 



Leaves not reniform; sepals 6. 



Sepals unequal ; stigmas tufted. Rumex. 



Sepals equal; stigmas capitate. Polygonum. 



Flowers involucrate, many; stipules wanting. 



Eriogonum. 



Stems 2 inches to a foot high, 

 Oxyria 

 digyna (L ) scape-like and leafless, from a 



Hill. large chaffy rootstock. Leaves 



Mountain basal on long petioles, reniform 



or orbicular J-2 inches wide with 



a wavy margin, sometimes notched at the 



apex. Racemes 2-3 inches or more long, 



of many small flowers on slender pedicels; 



crimson or pinkish and .showy in fruit. 



Frequent at the higher altitudes through- 



