300 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SHRUBS 



The plainest peculiarity of the plants is the sheath around the stem above 

 the attachment of the alternate simple leaf. The small 4- or 5-parted 

 flowers are generally in spike-like clusters. The species here given grow 

 up from the roots each spring and show abundant nearly white small 

 flowers, in summer. [Seeds; divisions.] 



Fig. 528. — Siebold's Polygonum. 



Fig. 529.— Saealine. 



* Bushy-growing plant with graceful curving stem 3-5 feet high ; leaves 



large, about as wide as long, and peculiarly square at tase ; white 

 flowers abundant. Siebold's Polygonum (528) — Polygonum 

 cuspidd.tum (P. Sifeboldi). 



* Larger and more vigorous plants 8-12 feet high with larger and pro- 



portionally narrower leaves, sometimes a foot or more long, dis- 

 tinctly heart-shaped at base. This plant is too luxuriant and vrith 

 such a tendency to spread as to become a pest. Sacaline 

 (529) — Polygonum sachalin^nse. 



Elseignus.' The Elseagnus genus are shrubs or small trees with alter- 

 nate leaves covered on one or both sides with silvery scales. These leaves 

 are either entire- or crisped-edged. The fruit is olive-like, 1-seeded. 

 There are many species in cultivation for the silvery foliage and the edible 



1 For general key to plautS^ith silvery scales on their leaves see p. 304. 



