POLYGONACE^ 



287 



the season, there arise flower shoots, bearing elongated leafy 

 inflorescences, crowded with small whitish flowers. Unless 

 seed is desired, flower shoots should be promptly removed, 



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Fig. 112. — Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) plant in fruit. 



as they require considerable food supply which should go 

 to the support of the roots. The leaves are large, circular 

 in outline, cordate at the base, and with sinuate veins 

 beneath; leaf petioles are semi-cylindrical and bear membran- 



