A CENSUS OF THE INDIAN POLYGONUMS.. 
423 
§§ Inflorescence not bulbiliferous 
X Leaf-margins smooth. Leaves 
usually floating . . P. amphibium, 
X X Leaf margin crenulated with 
marginal veinlets. Leaves 
not floating 
Lamina abruptly or acutely 
continuous with petiole P. sphserostachyum. 
Lamina very gradually con- 
tinuous with petiole . P. paleaceum. 
C, Inflorescence oj sessile or pedicelled flowers^ closely set or distant 
on branched short stout^ or long slender spikes or spiciform 
racemes, 
* Plants more or less beset with recurved 
prickles which are often restricted to the 
base of stipules 
t Stipules orbicular foliaceous. Leaves 
peltate-deltoid ; very long-petioled , P. perfoliatum. 
ft Stipules tubular membranous. Leaves 
linear or linear -oblong, ovate or oblong- 
ovate, or linear-sagittate, or hastate; 
shortly petioled 
§ Racemes slender, 2*5 cm. or more 
in length. Bracts distant. 
Leaves linear-sagittate or has- 
tate . . . . . P. praetermissum. 
§§ Racemes very short, •5-1 cm long. 
Bracts crowded. Leaves ovate 
or oblong-ovate or linear-oblong 
X Leaves linear or linear- . 
oblong, margin and mid- 
rib closely beset with 
strong recurved prickles . P. strigosum. 
X X Leaves ovate or oblong-ovate. 
Prickles absent from mar- 
gin, and midrib, or only 
very feebly developed , P, muricatum. 
Plants unarmed 
t Racemes stout, compact. Bracts closely 
imbricating 
§ Nut orbicular or bi“Convex 
