PERSICARIA TRIBE 



25t 



Stamens and pistils on different plants ; herbage acid 



2. R. acetosa (Common Sorrel). — Leaves 

 oblong, slightly arrow-shaped at the base. 

 A slender plant, about 2 feet high, with 

 juicy stems and leaves, and whorled spikes 

 of reddish-green flowers. Well known for 

 the grateful acidity of its herbage. Mea- 

 dows ; abundant. — Fl. June, July. Per- 

 ennial. 



3. 7?. rtce/os«//a (Sheep's Sorrel). — Leaves 

 tapering to a point, produced at the base 

 into long, arrow-shaped barbs. Much 

 smaller than the last, and often tinged, 

 especially towards the end of summer, 

 with a deep red hue. Dry, gravelly places ; 

 abundant. — Fl. May to July. Perennial. 



Ru»rEX Acetosa 

 (Common Sorrel) 



3. OxYRiA {Mountain Sorrel) 



I. 0. reniformis (Mountain Sorrel). — 

 The only species. Approaching the Comnion Sorrel in habit, but 

 shorter and sfouler. The leaves are all from the root, and kidney- 

 shaped ; the flowers are green, and grow in clustered spikes ; the 

 herbage has a grateful acid flavour. Damp places, near the summit 

 of high mountains ; frequent. — Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



Natural Ordek LXXVIII 

 EL^AGNACE.E.— Oleaster Tribe 



Stamens and pistils on separate j)lants : barren flowers in cat- 

 kins ; perianth tubular ; stamens 3-8, sessile on the throat of the 

 perianth ; fertile flowers solitary, tubular, not falling off ; ovary 

 i-celled ; style short ; stigma awl-,shaped ; jrait, a single nut, 

 enclosed within the fleshy perianth. Trees and shrubs, with 

 leaves which tiave no stipules, but are covered with scurfy scales. 

 They are found in all parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The 

 fruit of several species of Elseagnus is eaten in the East, and the 

 flowers are highly fragrant and abound in honey, which, in some 

 parts of Europe, is considered a remedy for -malignant fevers. The 

 only British species is the Sea Buckthorn {Hippophae Rhamnoides). 



I. HiPPOPHAii (Sea Buckthorn). — Stamens and pistils on separate 

 plants ; barren flowers in small catkins ; perianth of 2 valves ; 

 stamens 4, with very short filaments ; fertile flowers solitary ; peri 

 anth tubular, cloven at the summit ; style short ; stigma awl 

 shaped ; fruit, a i-seeded nut, enclosed in the fleshy perianth 

 (Name of iloubtful etymology.) 



