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Plate 85] POLYQONUM 141
II.
Stems twining.
1. Stems angular P. Convolvulus.
2. Stems round ... ... ... P. dumetorum.
In the following the species figured will be described first,
the rest follow in alphabetical order.
Fig. 2. Polygonum recumbens, Eoyle.
(jRecutnbcns
means prostrate.)
Eootstock stout. Stems and branches prostrate, 1-2 ft.
high, rough, leafy, flowering throughout their length or sometimes
barren, rooting at the base. Leaves short- stalked,
rough especially on the edges and lower surface, broadly eggshaped,
i-1 in. long, nerves obscure. Stipules tubular, with
2 long bristles. Flowers small, white or pink, in axillary
clusters ;
stalks short, jointed at the tip. Perianth 4-5-parted.
Stamens 4 or 5. Styles 3, free, very small. Nut jV in. long,
broadest below the middle, 3-angled, smooth, black, shining.
Flowers. July to September.
Locality. Thajwas ; Zoji La.
Distribution. W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon,
4,000-8,000 ft.
Fig. 3. Polygonum amphibium, Linn. Amphibious Knotgrass,
Arsmart, Flatter-dock, Lake-weed.
A perennial herb, growing both in water and on land.
When aquatic
it is smooth, prostrate or floating, the flowerstalks
erect ;
when on land it is extremely hairy, erect from a
creeping, fibrous, long root. Stems 1-2 ft. high. Leaves
stalked, heart-shaped, lance-shaped, finely long-pointed, hairy
or smooth, rigid, sometimes spotted, alternate and spreading.
Stipules membranous, large, closely pressed, blunt, nearly
always without cilia, smooth. Flowers bright pink, in solitary
terminal racemes 1-2 in. long, dense, on hairy flower-stalks
which are paired. Perianth 5-partite ; segments oval, blunt.
Stamens 5. Styles 2. Nut egg-shaped, shining, faces convex.
Flowers. May to July.
Locality. Between Srinagar and Gulmarg in ditches along
road ;
Anchar Lake ;
Nil Nag in lake, 6,900 ft.
Distribution. W. Himalaya, from Kashmir to Kumaon,
7,000 ft., westward to Europe, N. Asia and America.