BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 



The Bushy Polygonum is interesting in that it plays the game 

 of now you see it and now you do not. We expect that, of course, 

 in the case of ordinary herbaceous perennials, but this Polygonum 



so perfectly counterfeits 

 a bush that it is a dis- 

 tinct surprise to discover 

 in the spring that it is not 

 a bush. But the place 

 that knew it knows it 

 again, for the root sys- 

 tem is vigorous,the strong 

 stems rise in numbers, 

 curve gracefully out- 

 ward, and in a short time 

 the plant assumes the 

 poise and character of 

 a well-grown bush. 



In late August or 

 early September, from 

 the axils of the leaves 

 on the upper half of the 

 stem appear panicled 

 racemes of small flowers 

 which transform the bushy top into a cloudy mass of white or pink 

 which lasts until snow flies. Then flower and stem die together 

 and the bush disappears only to be renewed the coming year. 



The flower holds its color because the color resides in the calyx, 

 and the calyx persists in order to protect the fruit. 



Polygonum sachalinense, very much like Sieboldi, but larger 

 and more vigorous, has been rather generally distributed but has 

 proved itself too much of a weed ; indeed, one should think twice, 

 possibly thrice, before planting any Bushy Polygonum within 

 the garden enclosure. 



A twining woody Polygonum, Polygonum baldschudnkum, is 

 recommended as an interesting and showy climber which blooms 

 profusely in late summer. 



io8 



Bushy Polygonum. Pol-^gonum cuspidtuum 



