Grows in wet places, with arrow-shaped leaves, and an exceedingly
rough stem, with teeth backwards.
P. arifolium. L. Has a stem like the other, but larger and
stouter, and with much larger leaves, less distinctly sagittate, and
more halberd-shaped ; grows in wet places, and is often associated
with P. Penn-sylvanicum, L ., from which it is clearly separated,
and yet resembles it.
P. coccineum. Willd. Purple Knotweed. Named from the
color of both the leaves and the dense spikes of flowers ; grows on
the edges of ponds, with its long, smooth leaves, gracefully floating,
greenish above, and. purple or reddish below ; common about
the ponds of Berkshire County, and also in the vicinity of Boston
; blossoms in July.
P. amphibium. L. Grows more out of the water than the
last, and is eradicated with much difficulty from recovered lands.
P. convolvulus. L. Bindweed or Bind-Knotweed. Alternate
and heart-shaped leaves ; grows as a twining vine round
other plants ; abundant in cultivated fields ; flowers unsightly.
P. cilinode. Mx. Climbing Bindweed. Less common than
the other, with deep, heart-shaped leaves, and climbing on and
over other plants.
P. scandens. L. Resembles Buckwheat in its flower and
fruit, but climbs like the other.
Some other species, P. articulatum, L ., lapathifolium, L .,
mite, Pers., tenue, Mx., and Virginianum,• L ., are of still less
consequence.
P. fagopyrum. L. Buckwheat, or properly Beechwheat.
So called from the close resemblance of its seeds to the seed of
the Beech tree, or Fagus ; a native of Asia, partially naturalized
in England and this country. The lateness of the season for
sowing this seed, viz. about July 4th, its rather prolific character,
the pleasantness of its flower as food for man, and its utility as a
component of food for hogs, cattle, or horses, render it an important
vegetable. The flowers form a valuable source of honey
for bees, though the honey is not so white, nor quite so pleasant,
as that obtained from most other flowers. Another variety, requiring
a longer time for ripening, is beginning to be introduced.
P. orientale. L. Princess’ Feather. Introduced from near
Mount Ararat into Europe by Tournefort; is a large and tall exotic,
with large broad leaves, and flowers in long and flexuous
and pendulous spikes of a bright-reddish color. Very handsome.
It is said to he cultivated in the East for the medicinal qualities of
the seeds, as well as for its flowers. Loudon.
R umex. L. 6. 3.
About 6 species are found in the State, while only one is very
abundant. The leaves have ligules or bands around their base.
R . acetosella. L. Sorrel, or Field Sorrel. This well-known
plant appears everywhere over the dry, sandy fields that are neglected
or untilled, and also, after the grain is harvested, often in
good soils showing its brownish flowers in great abundance, and
to the great annoyance of the farmer. The leaves are very distinctly
of the form of the ancient spear. The plant contains
oxalic acid.
R. crispus. L. Dock. This, with 2 other kindred species,
needs few remarks. The root of the yellow dock is often used
in the preparation of salves and ointments.
R. pallidus. Big. White Dock. This new species was
first described by Dr. Bigelow. It occurs about salt marshes in
the vicinity of Boston.
The dock is used sometimes as a pot-herb. The whole number
of species is nearly 50, most of which are weeds, and have
little value in the arts or for food. Three other species, acutus,
L ., Britannicus, L ., and obtusifolius, L ., are found in the State.