272 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
CHAPTER LXIX. 
THE POLYGONUM FAMILY. (Polygoneje, Juss.) 
Character of the Order. —Calyx divided, inferior, imbricated in 
aestivation. Stamens definite, inserted in the bottom of tbe calyx. 
Anthers dehiscing lengthwise. Ovarium superior, with a single erect 
ovulum. Styles or stigmas several. Nut naked, or protected by the 
calyx. Seed with farinaceous albumen, rarely with scarcely any. 
Embryo inverted, generally on one side. Plumula inconspicuous. 
Herbaceous plants, rarely shrubs. Leaves alternate, with ochreate 
stipules ; the younger revolute at the edge. Flowers occasionally 
unisexual, often in racemes. ( Lindley .) 
Description, &c.—Among the British plants contained in this order are the Sorrel, the Dock, and the 
Buck-wheat. 
The Rhubarb and several other well-known exotic plants also belong to it. 
GENUS I. 
THE DOCK. (Rumex, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. HEXANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx six-parted ; the three outer segments cut. Nut with three sharp angles. Embryo on one side of the 
somewhat cohering at the base ; the three inner becoming enlarged albumen. {Lindley.) 
after flowering. Stamens six. Styles three, reflexed. Stigmas three. 
Description, &c. —The name of Rumex signifies a spear, and alludes to the shape of the leaves; and the 
Linngean class and order, Hexandria Trigynia, indicate that the plants have each six stamens and three styles. The 
British species are all perennials, with inconspicuous flowers, and they are divided into two sections, viz., the Docks, 
which have no peculiar flavour, and the Sorrels, which are remarkable for their acid juice. There are numerous 
kinds of Docks, but as they possess no beauty, and generally bear considerable resemblance to each other, I have, 
only thought it necessary to describe two species ; and there are only two kinds of Sorrel. 
1.—THE RED, OR COMMON DOCK. (Rumex sanguineus, Lin.) 
Engravings.—E ng. Bot., t. 1533; 2nd ed., t. 521. 
Specific Character. —Leaves acute, slightly curled, stalked, of leaves. Inner sepals becoming ovate-lanceolate, blunted, and 
stained with crimson ; tbe lower cordate-lanceolate. Flowering-bran- entire, one generally bearing a large tubercle. ( Duby .) 
ches alternate, simple. Whorls distant, few flowered, the upper destitute 
Description, &c. —This species is found in woods and shady pastures, also by the road side. It is a 
perennial, and it flowers in July. It grows two or three feet high. 
2.— THE CURLED DOCK. (Rumex crispus, Lin.) 
Engravings _Eng. Bot., t. 1998; 2nd ed., t. 523 ; and our fig. 2, PI. 52. 
Specific Character. —Leaves wavy, curled, acute; tbe lower tbe upper destitute of leaves. Inner sepals becoming roundish, cordate, 
oblong, lanceolate, stalked. Flowering branches alternate, double or entire, acute, with very large tubercles. {Duby.) 
triple, simple or divided. Whorls somewhat clustered, many-flowered ; 
Description, &c.—This is one of the commonest species of English Docks, and it is found everywhere, in the 
most widely different soils and situations. There is a variety which is sometimes called R. aquaticus , which 
grows in ditches, and is a very handsome plant. The Curled Dock is distinguished from all the other species by 
its curled or wavy leaves. It is a perennial, growing two or three feet high, and flowering in June and July. 
