166 CLASS VIII. ORDER III. 



chiefly smooth, with pellucid points. Stipules loose, glabrous, 

 fringed with hairs at top. Spikes of flowers, slender and nod- 

 ding. Michaux observed eight, and never less than seven sta- 

 mens in this plant in America. — Rubbish in low grounds, ditches, 

 &c. — August, September. — Annual. 



It appears perfectly similar to the European plant, which is 

 punctate with pellucid dots, and varies from six to eight stamens. 

 See Rees' Cyclopedia, &c. 



Polygonum hydropiperoides. Mx. Hairy Polygonum. 

 Stamens eight, styles three, half united ; stipules 

 hairy and ciliate ; leaves lanceolate, sessile, some- 

 what hairy; spikes linear, weak; bractes subimbri- 

 cate, ciliate. 



This plant, which is occasionally found about Boston in low 

 grounds, is not the P. hydropiperoides of Pursh, nor P. mite of 

 Elliott. The whole stem is hairy and branched, and the spikes 

 numerous. The rest agrees exactly with Michaux's description, 

 except that the floweis, as far as I have observed, have fewer 

 stamens. — July. 



Polygonum Persicaria. L. Spotted Polygonum. 



Stamens six; styles two, half imited ; spikes ovate- 

 oblong, erect ; peduncles smooth ; stipules ciliate. 

 Curt. 



This plant is without acrimony. Leaves spreading, lanceo- 

 late, acute, and commonly marked with a dark spot, somewhat 

 heart-shaped, in the centre. Stipules tubular, short, ciliated at 

 top. Spikes terminal, on smooth footstalks, erect, oblong. 

 Flowers rose colored. — In the same soils as the last. — July, 

 August. — Annual. 



Polygonum viviparum. L. Alpine Polygonum. 



Stern simple, one spiked; leaves lanceolate, revo- 

 lute at the edge. 



A small species with a few linear-lanceolate leaves and a 

 slender spike which generally bears stem bulbs at its lower 

 part. — On the White mountains, New Hampshire. — July. 



