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BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
THE WATER PEPPER, OR BITING PERSICARIA. (P. Hydropiper, Lin.) 
This species has very small pink flowers, and a slender stem, with pale green, smooth, wavy leaves. Its 
taste is extremely pungent, as it abounds in an essential oil, which is contained in dot-like glands. It generally 
grows in ditches. It is an annual, and flowers in August and September. 
THE CREEPING PERSICARIA. (P. minus, Lin.) 
An annual plant, growing abundantly on gravelly soils, in the neighbourhood of London. It flowers in 
September. 
§ 2.— Styles three. Nut triangular. 
3. —THE GREAT BISTORT OR SNAKE-WEED. (Polygonum bistorta, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 509 ; 2nd ed., t. 571 ; and our Jig. 5, in PI. 52. 
Spicific Character. —Stem simple, with a single spiked cluster of flowers. Leaves ovate, wavy, running down into the foot-stalks. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.—The Snake-weed is seldom found in the south of England, though it is abundant in the 
north. It is a very troublesome weed, particularly in rich soil, as it creeps rapidly under ground, and destroys 
the grass and other plants. The root is very astringent, and it is used in medicine. The plant is a perennial, 
and it flowers in June. 
THE VIVIPAROUS BISTORT (P. viviparum, Lin.) 
This is an Alpine plant, growing only in the mountainous districts of England and Scotland. The plant is a 
perennial with a tuberous root, and it produces its pale pink flowers in June and July. The seeds rarely ripen, 
the pistil of the flower generally changing into a bud which begins to throw out leaves before it falls to the ground; 
and hence it is called viviparous. 
KNOT GRASS. (P. aviculare, Lin.) 
A well-known annual weed, that grows in almost every kind of soil and situation, and continues flowering all 
the summer. There is a variety which is a perennial, and only grows near the sea. 
BUCK-WHEAT OR BRANK. (P. fagopyrum, Lin.) 
This plant is supposed to be not a true native, though it is often found growing wild on dunghills, and 
other similar places. It is frequently cultivated to afford food for pheasants, and its flowers are said to be 
admirable for bees. It is an annual, and it produces its pale pink flowers in July and August. 
BLACK BINDWEED OR CLIMBING BUCKWHEAT. (P. convolvulus, Lin.) 
A very troublesome weed in osier holts, and other moist places, where it produces its small inconspicuous 
flowers from June till September. The stem and leaves are like those of a Convolvulus. 
THE ORDER AMARANTHACEiE, ( Juss .), 
Contains only one British plant; viz. the Wild Elite (Amaranthus Blitum, Lin.), which is not ornamental. 
THE ORDER CHENOPODEiE, (Vent.), 
Contains five genera; viz., the Saltwort (Salsola, Lin.), the Glasswort or Marsh Samphire (Salicornia, Lin.), 
Goosefoot or Fat Hen ( Chenopodium , Lin.), the Sea Beet (Beta, Lin.), and the Sea Purslane (Atriplex, Lin.). 
THE ORDER SCLERANTIIEiE, (Link.), 
Contains only two British plants; viz., the annual and perennial Knawel, neither of which possess any beauty. 
