310 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



numerous dotted glands scattered over the surface of the whole 

 herb. Engl Bot t. 989. 



Locality. In wet places, particularly by ditches and in hollows 

 filled with water in winter, especially in the shade. A Fl. August, 

 September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Recorded in all the Districts, but scarce in the south middle. Stem 

 1 to 3 feet high, erect. Remarkable for its slender, long, more or 

 less drooping spikes of distant reddish flowers', they are lateral and 

 terminal, and are sometimes at length erect. Whole plant more or 

 less acrid or biting to the taste. 



6. P. aviculare, (Linn.) small birds' Polygonum, or Knotgrass; 

 so named from avis, (Lat.) a bird. The seeds of this species supply 

 an abundance of food for small birds. Engl. Bot. t. 1252. 



Locality. In cultivated and waste places. A. Fl. May, September. 

 Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Very common in all the Districts. A much branched wiry annual, 

 prostrate when in the open ground, erect when drawn up amongst 

 corn or grass, often a foot or two long. Leaves narrow-oblong, 

 small, very rarely attaining an inch in length. Flowers small, 

 shortly-stalked, in clusters of 2 to 5 in the axils of most of the 

 leaves. It varies much in its branches, sometimes very long 

 and slender with very few distant leaves, sometimes short and 

 densely matted, with the small leaves much crowded. Some 

 botanists think that it includes several species. 



7. P. Convolvulus, (Linn.) climbing Buckwheat, Black Bindweed. 

 Engl. Bot. t. 941. 



Locality. In cultivated and waste land. A. Fl. July, September. 

 Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Distributed throughout all the Districts. A glabrous annual, with 

 the twining stem of a Convolvulus. Leaves stalked, heart-shaped, 

 or broadly saggittate, and pointed. Floivers in little loose clusters, 

 the lower ones axillary, the upper ones forming loose, irregular, 

 terminal racemes. [P. Fagopyrum, (Sm.) Engl. Bot. t. 1044. 

 Fagopyrum esculentum, (Moench.) is an Asiatic plant, occasionally 

 observed in many parts of the county, where it has been sown as 

 food for game.] 



