POLYGoirtnsf. 301 



3, PoLTa'oNUM Linn. 



* Rhkomatous. Stem simple. Ocrece truncate. Nut tri- 

 quetrous. Stam. 8. Styles 3. Bistorta. 



1. P. Bistor'ta (L.) ; raceme cylindric dense, I. ovate subeordate, 

 root-1. with winged footstalks, faces of nut ovate smooth. — 

 E. B. 509.— St. 1— IJ foot high. Rhizome large. Fl. flesh- 

 coloured. — ^Moiat meadows, rare. P. VI. and X. Snakeweed. 



E. S. I. 



2. P. vivip'arum (L.) ; raceme slender lax hidhiferous bearing 

 fl. on its upper part, I. linear-lanceolate with revolute margins, 

 hwer I. elliptic with wingless footstalks, faces of nut ovate-lan- 

 ceolate smooth and shinmg. — E. B. 669. — Height 4^8 in. Fl. 

 on the lower part of the raceme replaced by small red bulbs. 

 Fl. white, sometimes very few in number.— Mountain pastures. 



P. VI. vn. E. S. L 



** OcrecB truncate. Root fihrons. Nut compressed or suhtri- 

 qvMrous. Stnm. 4 — 8. Styles 2 — 3. Racemes spikelike. — 

 Fl. purple or white. L. without or with a cerdral dark spot. 

 Persicaiia. 



t Creeping. Perennial. Anthers protruded, 



3. P. amphib'ium (L.) ; raceme dense ovate-cylindrical, 1. 

 stalked ovate- oblong (floating) or oblong-lanceolate or narrow- 

 lanceolate rough at the margins, oorsEe membranous close, nut 

 compressed smooth shining, stam. 5. — E. B. 436. — St. long when 

 floatmg. Racemes generally solitary and terminal. Fl. rose- 

 coloured. Very variable in the foim of its leaves according to 

 its habitation. — Floating or growing upon mud or on boggy 

 ground. P. Vn.— IX. E. S. I. 



tt Root fibrous. Annual. Anthers included. 



4. P. lapathifdlium (L.J ; raceme oblong cylindrical dense, 1. 

 oblong-lanceolate or ovate attenuate at both ends glandular 

 beneath, ocrecs close not fringed the upper ones shortly fringed, 

 peduncles and perianth rough with glands, nut compressed its faces 

 roundish acuminate concave smooth shining scarcely covered 

 by the prominently veined perianth, styles distinct at length 

 divergent and reflexed.— -B. B. 1382.— Height 1—2 feet. St. 

 sometimes spotted, glandular or glabrous; joinings more or less 

 thickened. Racemes axillary or terminal, 1 — 2 together. Fl. 

 pale. Bracts aiuicled. — Waste and damp places. A. VH. — ^IX. 



E. S. I. 



5. P. maculatum (Dyer) ; raceme long slender, 1. lanceolate 

 much attenuate at both ends wavy glandular beneath, ocrecB loose 

 shortly fringed the floral ones homed, ped. and perianths rough 



