io cx. amarantace^e. \Alternanthera. 
short; stigma capitate. Utricle obcordate, edges thickened. 
Species about 16, cosmopolitan. 
(i) A. sessilis Brown Prod. FI. Nov.-Holl, 417; Gamble, l.c. 7. 
Rather fleshy prostrate herb. Leaves linear-oblong lanceolate, 
blunt or sub-acute, glabrous, rather fleshy, 1-5 to 1-25 in. long, 
•1 to -5 in. wide; petioles short or none; heads sessile, *24 in. 
through, white. Hab. Very common weed in waste grounds all 
over the peninsula, as it is in all warm parts of the world. Native 
names: Akar rumput; Bayam pasir; Bayam tana; Kelama 
hijau; Kerak Kerak paya; Kerumak bukit paya. Use: As a 
pot herb and valued as a febrifuge. 
10 . GOMPHRENA, Linn. 
Hairy erect herbs with opposite leaves. Flowers capitate (or 
spicate) white, pink, or crimson. Sepals 5, lanceolate-acuminate. 
Stamens 5; anthers i-celled. Ovary sub-globose; style bifid. 
Utricle indehiscent with one round, flat seed. Species 70, S. 
America and Australia. 
(1) G. globosa Linn. Sp. PL 224. 
About 1 ft. or more tall. Leaves 2 to 4 in. long. Heads 1 to 
1-5 in. through, terminal. Bracts magenta, rose pink or white. 
Sepals woolly. Hab. Occasionally escapes from gardens, where it 
is a very popular plant, especially with Tamils. Probably a native 
of S. America. 
Order CXI. POLYGONACE2E. 
Herbs or shrubs. Leaves usually alternate. Stipules usually 
membranous and forming a tube (sheath) encircling stem. In¬ 
florescence axillary racemose capitate or panicled. Flowers usually 
bisexual pedicelled. Sepals 3 to 6, usually 5, free or connate im¬ 
bricate, persistent. Stamens 5 to 8. Disc annular glandular or o. 
Ovary free, biconvex or 3- to 4-angled; ovule 1, orthotropous; 
styles 1 to 3. Nutlet hard, enclosed in perianth. Species over 
600. Whole world (A. T. Gage, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. lxxv. 18). 
The Honolulu creeper, Antigonon leptopus , of tropical America 
belongs to this Order. 
1 . POLYGONUM, Linn. 
Herbs (rarely shrubby). Leaves alternate; stipules forming a 
sheath round the stem. Inflorescence a spiciform raceme or 
panicle. Flowers small, pink or white in axils of small bracts. 
Sepals 5. Stamens 5 to 8, usually with yellow glands between 
each. Ovary lenticular or trigonous; styles 1 to 3. Nut biconvex 
or trigonous. Distrib , Whole world, most abundant in temperate 
regions. 
