i So 



Fam. 16. Polygonaceae. 



Herbs or rarely shrubs with swollen joints. Leaves 

 alternate, dilated at base into a membranous, stem- 

 clasping sheath (pchrea). (Plate 47, page 189.) 



Flowers regular, bisexual or unisexual ami then 

 monoecious or dioecious. Perianth simple, either green or 



Fig. 83. Polygonaceae. 1-2. Polygonum serrulatum Lagasca i. Flower. 5/1. 

 2. Fruit, transverse section. 6/1. 3-4. P. atraphaxoides Thunb. 3. Twig, in 

 flower. 4. Flower. 5-8. Rumex acetese/Ia L. 5. £ Mower. 6. °. flower. 10/1. 

 7. Fruit witli enlarged perianth. 8. Same in long, section. 9. Rumex gariepensit 

 Meisn. Fruit. 12/1. 10-13. Emex australis Steinh. 10. <$ flower in long. 

 section. 5/1. 11. °. flower. 12. Pistil. 25/1. 13. Fruit, without the Spinj 

 perianth, in long, section. 6/1. 



coloured, 3 — 6-parted, persistent, often enlarging with the 

 fruit. Stamens 4. — 9, mostly 6 — 8; filaments filiform, 

 anthers 2-celled. Ovary superior, 1 -celled, ovule solitary, 

 erect; stigmas 2 — 3. Fruit a nut with ample farinaceous 

 endosperm ; embryo inverted, straight or curved. 



