BL'CKWHEAT FAMILY. 



283 



2. IrAGOPY'KUM, Tourncf. Bltckwheat. 



[So named from its fruit resembling that of the Fagus, oi Beech.] 



Calyx nearly equally 5-parted ; lobes petal-like, withering and nearly 

 unchanged in fruit. Stamens 8. Styles 3 ; stigmas capitate. Akene 3- 

 sided, embraced at base by the persistent calyx ; embryo large, in the 

 centre of the albumen, which it divides into 2 parts ; cotyledons broad, 

 foliaceous, plicate and twisted. Annuals with stems finally purple, and 

 white flowers fasciculate in paniculate racemes. 



1. F. esculen'tum, Moench. Stem erect, paniculately branched, sulcate- 

 angled, smoothish ; leaves triangular-sagittate or subhastate, acute, pe- 

 tioled ; racemes compound, terminal and axillary. 

 Esculent Faggpyrum. Buckwheat. 



Fr. Ble Sarrasin. Germ. Der Buchweitzen. Span. Trigo Sarraceno. 



stem 2-4 feet high, much branchocl. Leaves2-Z or 4 inches long, and 1-2 inches wide, 

 often a little hastate at base, on peiioles 1-2 or 3 inches long; stipules short, smooth. 

 Flowers in somewhat paniculate racemes, — the fascicles rather crowded ; pedicels slender, 

 longish, obscurely articulated above the middle. Sepals mostly white, with tinges of 

 green and pale purple. Akena equally and acutely triquetrous, somewhat acuminate, 

 much longer than the withered sepals, smooth, dark brown when mature, often striately 

 clouded. 



Fields : cultivated. Native of Middle Asia. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. -Oct. 



Obs. This is extensively cultivated for its seeds, — the farinaceous 

 albumen of which affords a delicious article of food, when properly 

 managed,— and a very sorry one, if unskilfully treated. The glandular 

 flowers are a favorite resort — and afford a rich reward to the labors — of 

 the Honey-Bee. This is considered one of the most valuable plants for 

 plowing in — it growing very rapidly, and succeeding on very poor soils. 

 It readily escapes from culture, and has liecome naturalized. 



3. RU'MEX, L. Dock. 



[The ancient Latin name, of unknown derivation.] 



Flcivers sometim.es dioecious. Cal yx of 6 sepals ; the 3 outer sometimes 

 united at base, spreading in fruit ; the 3 inner ones larger {valves) in- 

 creasing after flowering, often bearinsf a grain-like t.iberde on the back. 

 Stamens 6. Styles 3; stigmas pencil-tufted. Jkenc 3-angled, wingless. 

 Embryo slightly curved, lying along one side of the albumen. Coarse 

 perennials with petioles somewhat sheathing at base, and small, mostly 

 green flowers, verticillate in paniculate racemes. 



^ 1. Flowers perfect : herbage bitter. 

 ^ Inner sepals entire, and all graniferous. 

 1. R. oris' pus, L. Radical leaves oblong-lanceolate, mostly acute, 

 curled or wavy on the margin ; inner sepals large, cordate ; verticils 

 crowded. 



Curled Rumex Sour Dock. Curled Dock. Narrow .Dock. 



