MONOCHLAMYDE.E. Ill 



leaves arrow-shaped, cordate at the base. Flowers in spreading 

 terminal clusters, red and white mingled. Not indigenous, sown 

 as food for game and poultry. In fields and about farmyards. 

 Fagopyrum esculentum, Bab. (E. B. t. 1044.) A. vii. vin. 



4. P. Convolvulus (climbing Buckwheat!) In fields and 

 hedges. Stem from 1 or 2 to 5 or 6 feet long, prostrate or climb- 

 ing, and twisting around the stems and branches of neighbouring 

 plants. Leaves stalked, alternate, heart-shaped, and tapering to 

 a point at their ends, wavy. Flowers in short spikes, rising 

 from the axils of the upper leaves, greenish- white with a pink 

 tinge. Too common. (E. B. t. 941.) A. YII.-IX. 



5. P. amphibium (amphibious Persicaria.) In ponds, 

 ditches, and damp ground. Stem from 2 to 3 feet long, round, 

 very little branched when growing in water, clothed with tubular 

 membranous sheaths or stipules, out of which the leaves appear 

 to arise. Leaves ovate- oblong or narrow-lanceolate, or varying 

 between these forms, according to situation. Flower-spikes erect, 

 on a reddish flower- stalk ; flowers of a bright rose-colour. Grood- 

 rington. (E. B. t. 436.) P, vn.-ix. 



6. P. Persicaria (spotted Persicaria.) In ditches and damp 

 waste ground. Stem erect and spreading, from 1 to 2 feet high, 

 branched, sometimes slightly pubescent, reddish. Leaves on 

 short stalks, upper ones nearly sessile, lanceolate, marked in the 

 centre with a dark blotch. Flower-spikes numerous, terminal, 

 on long stalks. Flowers rose-coloured or whitish-green. Sti- 

 pules or sheaths fringed at the top with short, fine bristles. 

 Meadows near the sea at Paignton. (E. B. t. 756.) A. vi.-x. 



7. P. lapathifolium (pale-flowered Persicaria.) In fields, 

 by roadsides, and on dunghills. Bentham says that this is pro- 

 bably a mere variety of P. Persicaria. It is very variable in its 

 appearance ; it is distinguished by having its pedicels and peri- 

 anths dotted with small, prominent glands, by its stipules not 

 being fringed, and by its doubly concave nuts. The flowers vary 

 from whitish to pale green and red. Paignton. Waste piece of 

 ground near Forde bog. (E. B. t. 1382.) A. vn. vin. 



8. P. Hydropiper (biting Persicaria.) In ditches and 

 watery places. Stem from 1 to 3 feet high, erect ; leaves lan- 

 ceolate, waved. Stipules usually with scattered glands. The 

 slender, drooping spikes distinguish it from all the other 

 species. Flowers distant, reddish. Whole plant pungent and 

 acrid to the taste. Forde bog. Wet meadows at Paignton. 

 (E. B. t. 989.) A. vm. ix. 



