6 S [ 12 7 ]
R U M E X Acetofa.
Common Sorrel.
H E X A N D R I A Trigynia.
Gen. Char. Cal. 3-leaved. Petals 3, clofed. Seed 1,
triangular.
Spec. Char. Flowers dioecious. Leaves oblong, ar-
row-fhaped.
Syn. Rumex Acetofa. Linn. Sp. PI. 481. Hud/. FI.
An. 156. With. Bot. Arr. 375. Relh. Cant. 149,
Lapathum acetofum vulgare. Rail Syn. 143.
A COMMON inhabitant of meadows and paftures throughout
this ifland, in almoft all foils and fituations, flowering early
in June. The root is perennial, running deep into the earth,
aftringent, as in moll of its tribe. Stem moftly Ample, erect,
round, deeply ftriated, from one to two feet high. The radical
and lower Item-leaves on long footftalks, with a membranous
cylindrical fheathing ftipula, embracing the item, and torn at
the top ; thefe leaves are of an arrow fhape, entire, or but little
undulated in their Aides, but at the bafe cut into two or three
large Iharpifh teeth, pointing backwards, and not (as in fome
fpecies of Rumex) divaricated into a right angle with the outline
of the leaf. The upper leaves are fefiilc, gradually more
entire, and at the top of the Item only flightly crifped at their
bafe. A compound fort of verticillated fpike terminates the
item, its branches being alternate and nearly ereft. The barren
flowers are produced on a feparate root from the fertile
ones ; the calyx and corolla fmall, nearly fimilar in both. Stamina
very fhort, with large yellow antherse. Styles fhort,
with large crimfon bearded ftigmata. The whole herb is acid,
with a degree of aftringency, not unpleafant nor unwholefome,
agreeing much with the different fpecies of rhubarb, to which
it is nearly allied. y j ’w 't.'j J.'CA vV " i f $3.