30 
79. Polygonum vernum . Raf. Caulibus ramosis ; folds 
subsessilibus ovato-lanceolatis, nervis margi- 
neque revoluto scabris ; spicis panicalatis gra¬ 
cilis brevibus, floribus octandris distylis. Raf.— 
Renouee 5. Rob. p. 367. This species blossoms 
in April and May ; it has low stems, short leaves, 
and its small spikes are short, slender and thick¬ 
ly paniculated: the flowers are of a rufous 
white. This species, as well as the P. bicorne 
and P. maculatum , above, belong to the sub¬ 
genus Dioctus , distinguished by having eight 
stamina, a compressed ovary and seed, two 
styles or stigmas, &c. 
80. Rumex Ludovicianus. Raf. Hermaphroditus, caule 
striato ; foliis lanceolatis acutis integris pe- 
tiolatis crassis sub-undulatis ; floribus race- 
mosis paniculatis verticillaris, perigonis sepalis 
interioribus latioribus graniferis. Raf.—Patience. 
Rob. p. 368. It grows in shady, moist and 
swampy grounds ; has a pleasant bitter acidi¬ 
ty, and is good in soups ; stems strong, reddish, 
rising two or three feet ; leaves six inches long,, 
one and a half wide ; flowers in long branched 
spikes, on loose peduncles and greenish ; the 
inside sepals are yellowish, the stamina are yeR 
low and as long as the projecting branched stig¬ 
mas. 
81, Rumex acetosa L. cultivated. 
