418 
LXXX. CHENOPODIACEiE 
enclosed by the much enlarged, leaf-like bracts each bearing a 
thick, white, convex, smooth disk on its base. 
Plains of N.W. India, ascending to 8000 ft. ; June-October. — Central and 
W. Asia. 
The name crassifolia, thick-leaved, is not appropriate. 
\ 
LXXXI. PHYTOLACCACE^E 
Differs from Chenopodiacece in the larger number of stamens, 
and the compound ovary. 
PHYTOLACCA. From the Greek phyton , a plant, and the 
French lac, lake-colour, referring to the crimson juice of the fruit. 
— Tropical and subtropical regions. 
Phytolacca acinosa, Roxb. ; FI. Br. Ind. v. 21. A nearly 
glabrous, erect herb ; stems 3-5 ft., robust, succulent. Leaves 
alternate, broadly lanceolate, 6-10 in., entire long-pointed, nar- 
rowed into a short stalk ; stipules none. Flowers J in. diam., 
pale green, 2-sexual, in leaf-opposed, cylindrical racemes 2-6 in. 
long ; bracts linear. Perianth of 5 nearly separate segments. 
Stamens 8-10 ; filaments united at the base, anthers 2-celled, 
soon falling off. Ovary composed of 6-8 carpels arranged in a 
whorl, each with a short, recurved stigma. Fruit dark purple, 
succulent, crowded in an erect, thick raceme 4-8 in. long ; carpels 
separating when ripe and each containing a single black, shining, 
kidney-shaped seed. 
Cultivated and often seen as an escape near villages, 4000-9000 ft. ; May, 
June. — China, Japan. 
An introduced Chinese plant having poisonous properties, but the leaves 
are cooked and eaten. 
LXXXII. POLYGONACE^E 
Herbs, rarely shrubs ; stem and branches thickened at the joints. 
Leaves alternate, simple, rarely lobed ; stipules membranous, 
more or less sheathing the stem. Flowers 2-, rarely 1-sexual, in 
racemes or panicles. Perianth of 5 or 6, rarely fewer segments. 
Stamens 5-8, rarely fewer ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary free, flattened 
or 3 -angled ; styles 2 or 3, stigmas capitate or fringed ; ovule 1 . 
Nut hard, more or less covered by the persistent perianth ; seed 
one. — A large Order inhabiting all temperate and cold regions. 
