426 
LXXXII. POLYGONACEiE 
in the upper parts. Leaves stalked or the upper nearly sessile, 
oblong-lanceolate, 4-9 x lJ-3^ in., long-pointed, upper surface 
glabrous or thinly hairy, the lower softly and densely hairy 
especially on the midrib and nerves ; stipules tubular, very long, 
hairy, strongly nerved, pointed. Flowers white or tinged with 
pink, in terminal, usually erect panicles 6-18 in. long ; bracts flat. 
Perianth 5-parted, J in. diam. ; segments spreading, the 2 outer 
narrow, the 3 inner much broader. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free 
nearly to the base. Nut 3-angled, pale brown. (Fig. 135.) 
Matiana, Narkunda, abundant in forest ; July-October. — Temperate Hima- 
laya, 7000-12,000 ft. — W. Asia. 
The leaves are used as a potherb. 
19. Polygonum pterocarpum, Wall . ; FI. Br. Ind. v. 54. Gla- 
brous ; stems twining, grooved, minutely rough on the ribs. 
Leaves stalked, cordate, ovate, 3x2 in., long-pointed, basal lobes 
rounded ; stipules tubular, short. Flowers green or tinged with 
pink, on curved stalks in short, axillary racemes or clusters ; bracts 
flat. Perianth 5-parted, margins of segments white. Stamens 8. 
Styles 3, united for half their length. Nut 3-angled, acute at both 
ends, enclosed in the three enlarged and broadly winged outer 
segments of the perianth ; stalk more or less winged, sometimes 
to its base. 
Simla, Annandale ; June-October. — Temperate Himalaya, 5000-9000 ft. 
2. FAGOPYRUM. From the Greek phagein, to eat, and pyros, 
wheat ; referring to the edible seeds. — Temperate Asia, Europe 
(Buckwheat). 
The flowers of Fagopyrum are sometimes dimorphic, that is, short-styled 
with long stamens, or long-styled with short stamens, as in Lythrum, Bein- 
wardtia, Primula and other genera belonging to different orders. 
Fagopyrum cymosum, Meissn . ; FI. Br. Ind. v. 55. A pubes- 
cent, erect, branching herb, 1-3 ft. Leaves long-stalked, entire, 
broadly triangular, 2-4 in. across, acutely pointed, cordate, the 
uppermost narrower and stem-clasping ; stipules tubular. Flowers 
2-sexual, small, white, in racemes 2-5 in. long forming long-stalked 
panicles ; flower-stalks jointed near the middle. Perianth 5-parted ; 
segments nearly equal, blunt. Stamens 8, alternating with honey- 
secreting glands. Styles 3, long, free ; stigmas capitate. Nut 
ovate, acutely 3-cornered, more than twice as long as the perianth 
enclosing its base. 
Simla, usually in woods; July-September. — Temperate Himalaya, 5000- 
11,000 ft.— China. 
Two species of Fagopyrum are cultivated in the hills, and may often be 
found as escapes, namely F. esculentum, Mcench, glabrous, flower-stalks not 
jointed ; and F. tataricum, Gajrtn., glabrous, faces of the nut deeply grooved, 
angles rounded. 
