Polygonum. 



POLYGONACE.E. 



147 



Michx. fl. Up. 241 ; Pursh, fl. 1. p. 273 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 459 ; Bigel.Jl. Bost. p. 94; Torr. 

 ft. 1. p. 406 ; Meisn. I. c. p. 63. t. 4. /. P. ; Beck, hot. p. 303 ; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 252. 



Annual. Stem 2-6 feet long, either running over the ground, or twining about other 

 plants. Leaves 1-2 inches long ; the lobes at the base often somewhat spreading and acute. 

 Ochrea? nearly smooth. Racemes interrupted, leafy. Calyx tinged with green and purple ; 

 the three exterior segments obtusely keeled, sometimes slightly winged. Stigmas spreading. 

 Achenium almost equally triquetrous, roughish, purplish black. 



Cultivated grounds and sandy fields ; very common. July - August. A troublesome 

 weed : probably of European origin. 



4. Polygonum cilinode, Michx. Fringe-jointed Polygonum. 



Stem twining, retrorsely pubescent ; leaves somewhat hastate-cordate, acuminate ; ochreas 

 retrorsely ciliate at the base ; flowers in axillary paniculate racemes ; calyx-segments slightly 

 keeled, but not winged ; achenium smooth and shining, the sides elliptical. — Michx. ft, . 1. 

 p. 241 ; Pursh, fl. I. p. 273; Torr.fl. I. p. 406 ; Meisn. I. c. p. 63. t. S.f. 18 - 20 ; Bigel. 

 fl. Bost. p. 159 ; Beck, hot. p. 303. 



Annual. Stem 4-8 feet long, of a purplish color. Leaves about 2.\ inches long and 2 

 inches broad, a little pubescent, especially on the lower surface ; the lobes at the base some- 

 what acute. Ochreae veined, clasping at the base, rather acute, fringed with reflexed hairs 

 at the base. Racemes slender, nearly naked. Flowers smaller than in the preceding species ; 

 the pedicels as long as the calyx, recurved. Calyx greenish or pale rose-color ; the 3 inner 

 segments obtusely keeled. Styles 3, short : stigmas capitate. Achenium sharply triangular, 

 purplish black. 



Sides of rocky hills, and in copses ; northern part of the State. July - August. Easily 

 distinguished from P. Convolvulus by the fringed nodes and long fruit. 



5. Polygonum dumetorum, Linn. Climbing Buckwheat. 



Stem twining, smooth ; leaves cordate, acuminate ; ochreag short, smooth, somewhat toothed 

 at the summit, naked at the base ; racemes axillary, interrupted, leafy ; outer calyx-segments 

 with a strongly winged keel; achenium triquetrous, smooth, the sides ovate -elliptical. — 

 Linn. sp. 1. p. 364 ; Meisn. I. c. p. 63. P. scandens, Linn. 1. c. ; Michx. fl. 1. p. 240 ; 

 Pursh, fl. I. p. 273 ; Ell. sk. 1. p. 459 ; Bigel. fl. Bost. p. 159 ; Torr.fl. 1. p. 406 ; Beck, 

 hot. p. 303; Darlingt. fl. Cest. p. 252 ; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 2. p. 131. 



Annual. Stem 6-12 feet long, obtusely angular or nearly terete, climbing over bushes 

 and other plants. Leaves 2-3 inches long, often slightly hastate, smoothish on both sides. 

 Racemes long : flowers several from each bract. Calyx greenish, or edged with white and 

 purple ; the three outer segments at length strongly winged ; the wing decurrent on the 

 pedicel, and also produced upward beyond the summit. Stigmas small, sessile. Achenium 

 rather acute at each end, black and shining ; the sides concave. 



Thickets, borders of woods, etc. ; frequent. Fl. August. Fr. September. I follow Meisner 

 in regarding this species as identical with P. dumetorum of Europe. 



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