Plate 49. 
POLYGONUM MARITIMUM, vae. CHILENSB. 
Family, Polygonace^ : — Flowers incomplete, perianth of one whorl. 
Plants characterised by peculiar sheathing stipule clasping 
the stem. 
Genus, Polygonum : — Herbaceous plants, sometimes prostrate. Stem 
often enlarged and bent at joints. Leaves alternate, stipules 
scaly and sheathing the stem, often fringed. Flowers in axils of 
upper leaves or in spikes, small, pale green or red. Perianth 
deeply 5-cleft, segments sometimes unequal. Stamens 5-8. 
Anthers attached at the middle and swinging. Styles 2-3. Fruit 
not winged. 
Polygonum maritimum, L., var. chilense, Koch. Plant 
smooth, up to 1| ft. in height, often spreading and much 
branched. Leaves narrowly oblong, not stalked, fleshy, tinged 
with red. Sheaths with oblong lobes, at length lacerate, about 
half as long as the leaves. Flowers small, in threes, axillary, 
long-stalked. Corolla bell-shaped, greenish-white. Stamens 5. 
Filaments flattened at the base. Style 3-lobed. Stigma 
capitate. Ovary reddish. Nutlet red, smooth and shining. 
Seashore. Rare. 
West Falklands. 
Description of plate 1, portion of plant ; 2, flower ; 3, section of 
flower; 4 and 5, stamens; 6, pistil; 7 and 8, fruit. All except 1 
enlarged. 
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