POLYGONACE®. 79 
rally bent into an S-curve. Stem erect, quite simple. Radical 
leaves on long stalks, ovate, truncately or subcordately constricted at 
the base and then decurrent on the petiole, obtuse or subobtuse; stem 
leaves similar to the radical leaves, but much smaller, narrower, more 
acute, and on shorter stalks, the uppermost one subsessile. Ochre 
not fringed. Raceme spikelike, oblong-cylindrical or oblong, erect, 
solitary at the extremity of the stem, dense, continuous, not inter- 
rupted or leafy at the base. Peduncles not glandular, smooth; pedicels 
scarcely as long as the nut, articulated immediately below the perianth, 
without glands. Perianth pale rose colour, without glands, and with 
the veins slightly prominent in fruit. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free to the 
base. Nut a little longer than the perianth, oval-obovate, triquetrous, 
abruptly pointed, smooth, shining. Leaves glaucous beneath. 
In woods and meadows. Rather scarce, but generally distributed 
over England and the south of Scotland. North of the Forth and 
Clyde it is probably an introduced plant, though perhaps it may be 
native in the Isle of Skye. Very rare, but widely distributed in 
Treland. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Early Summer. 
Rootstock with enlargements at the apex of the branches resembling 
the tubers of Arum maculatum in shape, but of a dark chestnut colour, 
fleshy and pink within. Stem 1 to 2 feet high. Radical leaves 
numerous, on stalks 3 inches to nearly a foot long; lamina 3 to 8 
inches long, resembling that of Rumex obtusifolius, but with a de- 
current strip running a short way down each side of the petioles, 
with slightly undulated margins, not revolute when full-grown; 
veins deeply impressed on the upper surface and prominent beneath; 
stem leaves few, rapidly diminishing in size upwards. Ochrex very 
long, extending beyond the base of the leaf on the side of the stem 
opposite to it. Racemes dense, 1 to 2 inches long, with scarious brown 
bracts not surrounding the rachis, terminating in long cuspidate 
points. Perianth 4 inch long, pale rose or flesh colour. Stamens much 
exserted. Styles exserted or included. Nut 1 inch long, brown, 
highly polished. Plant deep green, the leaves slightly shining above, 
glaucous and pubescent on the veins beneath. 
Common Bistort. 
French, Renouée bistorte. German, Wiesen Knéterich. 
The Bistort is common in fields and meadows where the soil is moist, especially in 
the northern counties. It is perennial, with a creeping root, which rapidly spreads 
itself in favourable situations, and renders the planta noxious and troublesome weed in 
low pastures. The common name of the Bistort is Snakeweed, or Patience Dock, and 
if we may believe that it effected a hundredth part of the cures which are attributed 
