BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 
( Polygonacece) 
This family is divided into seven genera and many of 
these are further divided. They are all inconspicuous 
in flower. The genus Rumex, to which our common Sor¬ 
rels belong, contain seventeen species: that of Polygo¬ 
num, which contains the Knot-weeds, has 32 species 
included in its six sub-genera. 
(A) Lady’s Thumb; Persicaria; Knotgrass ( Po¬ 
lygonum persicaria) (European). This is a very com¬ 
mon weed everywhere in damp places, especially about 
farm houses. The small, crimson-pink flowers are in 
dense spikes terminating the branching stems that are 
from 1 to 3 feet high. The lanceolate, pointed leaves, 
that alternate along the angled and sheathed stem, are 
rather rough and usually have a dark triangular spot 
in the middle. 
(B) Common Smartweed; Water Pepper (P. hydro- 
piper) has similar shaped flowers of a greenish color. 
The leaves are lanceolate and very acrid. It is very 
abundant in wet places throughout our range. 
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