Polygonacccz Polygonum. 383 



ORDER LXXXIX. POLYGONACE^E. 



Herbs (or rarely shrubs) with alternate simple leaves and 

 sheathing often fringed stipules. Flowers usually herma- 

 phrodite, on jointed pedicels. Perianth inferior, composed of 

 3 to 6 petaloid or green, free or united, persistent segments, 

 imbricate in bud. Stamens 3 to 12, or more. Fruit a dry 

 1 -celled 1 -seeded indehiscent achene or nut, usually enveloped 

 in the perianth. Seeds erect, albuminous. This order com- 

 prises about 30 genera and 500 species, found in all regions, 

 but most abundantly in the north temperate zone. The Docks 

 and Knotweeds represent them only too well in this country. 



1. POLtGONUM. 



Herbs or undershrubs with alternate stipulate leaves and 

 racemose, paniculate or spicate bisexual flowers. Bracts 

 ochreate. Perianth usually coloured, of 5 nearly equal seg- 

 ments, the three outer sometimes enlarging over the flattened 

 or trigonous fruit. Stamens 5 to 8 ; anthers versatile. The 

 species are estimated at 150, and are dispersed all over the 

 world. There are twelve indigenous species, mostly weeds. The 

 generic name is composed of TTO\V, many, and <yovv, knee, from 

 the numerous joints of the stems. 



1. P. cuspidatum, syn. P. Sieboldii. This is a tall hand- 

 some perennial, belonging to the foliage section of ornamental 

 plants. It grows from 4 to 8 feet high, and bears an abun- 

 dance of large somewhat distichous oval-oblong cuspidate 

 petiolate leaves. Flowers white, in drooping racemes, suc- 

 ceeded by scarlet fruits. A native of Japan, flowering in 

 Summer. 



2. P. Brunonis. A dwarf perennial species, rarely exceeding 

 a foot in height. Leaves petiolate, oblong-lanceolate, acute, 

 with a cartilaginous margin. Flowers rosy red, in dense ter- 

 minal spikes appearing in Summer. Northern India. 



3. P. Bistorta. Bistort or Snake-root. This is a rare 

 indigenous species, and the handsomest we have. Leaves 

 chiefly radical, large, oblong or ovate-obtuse, glaucous beneath, 

 on long petioles. Flower-scapes erect, furnished with a few 

 sessile leaves, and terminated by a solitary erect dense spike of 

 reddish pink flowers, produced from June to September. 



