Rumen. | LXIII. POLYGONACER. 381 
2. R. crispus, Linn. (fig. 857). Curled Dock.—Stem 2 to 3 feet 
high, with but few branches, usually short, and seldom spreading. Radical 
leaves long and narrow, usually much waved or crisped at the edges, and 
about 6 to 8 inches long, but varying much in size; the upper ones 
smaller and narrower, gradually passing into mere bracts. Whorls of 
flowers numerous, and when in fruit much crowded in a long narrow 
panicle, although the slender pedicels are really longer than the perianths. 
Inner segments of the fruiting perianth broadly ovate, more or less 
cordate, one of them bearing on the midrib an ovoid or oblong, 
coloured tubercle or grain, whilst the others have the midrib only a 
little thickened, except in the southern varieties, where all three have 
often a tubercle. 
On roadsides, in ditches, pastures, and waste places, throughout Europe 
and Russian Asia, except the extreme north, and (probably naturalized) in 
many other parts of the globe. Abundant in Britain. U. summer. 
Specimens are occasionally found with the leaves rather broader and the 
perianth-segments very slightly toothed, showing an approach to &. 
obtusifolius. These are by some believed to be hybrids between the two 
species, by others considered as a distinct species under the name of &. 
pratensis. 
3. ®. obtusifolius, Linn. (fig. 858). Broad Dock.—Stem 2 or 3 
feet high, and but slightly branched, as in #. crispus, which it much 
resembles. It differs however in the broader leaves, the radical ones often 
8 or 9 inches, by 3 or 4, rounded at the top, and cordate at the base, 
the upper ones narrower and more pointed ; in the looser and more distinct 
whorls of flowers, and the less crowded panicles, although not near so 
spreading as in R. sanguineus ; and especially in the inner segments of the 
perianth, which, although often broadly ovate, are never cordate, and are 
bordered below the middle by a few small teeth, usually ending in a fine 
point. As in &. crispus, one or all three segments have a smal! tubercle at 
the base. 
In the same situations and at least as widely spread and as common as 
R. crispus, with which and &. sanguineus it is usually mixed. Very 
abundant in Britain. JV. summer. A variety of this species has been 
figured under the name of &. sylvestris. 
4, R.Hydrolapathum, Huds. (fig. 859). Water Dock. Stem 3 to 
5 feet high, slightly branched. Leaves long, lanceolate or oblong, usually 
pointed, and flat or only very minutely crisped at the edges; the lower 
ones often 1 or 2 feet long, narrowed at the base into a long erect footstalk. 
Panicle long and rather dense, leafy at the base, the branches scarcely 
spreading. Inner perianth-segments ovate, not so broad as in R. erispus, 
and never cordate, entire or scarcely toothed, with a large oblong tubercle 
on all three, or rarely wanting on one of them. 
On the edges of streams and pools, and in watery ditches, in central and 
northern Europe and Russian Asia, but not an Arctic plant. Generally 
dispersed over England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. F7. summer. 
A variety with the margins of the petioles raised and truncate or cordate 
inner perianth-segments has been distinguished under the name of R. mazi- 
mus, Schreb. 
5, R.conglomeratus, Murr. (fig. 860). Clustered Dock.—Resembles 
