The Botany of Iceland - 01.12.1942, Qupperneq 214
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JOHS. GRONTVED
Polygonum Bistorta Linn.
Hooker, in Mackenzie, 1811, p. 421.—Babington, 1871, p. 325.
Recorded by Hooker, loc. cit.—Babington, loc. cit., remarks “A very doubtful
native”. Hooker has included it in his list from memory alone; it is evidently a
mistake for P. viviparum, and must be excluded from the Icelandic flora.
Polygonum Convolvulus Linn.
Gliemann, 1824, p. 141,—Th. & G., 1862, p. 360,—Babington, 1871, p. 325.—
E. Rostrup, 1887 p. 181.—Stefánsson, Fl. Isl., ed. 1, 1901, p. 79,-—Ibid., ed. 2,
1924, p. 90,—O. & Gr., 1934, p. 53.
It was recorded by Gliemann, loc. cit., and some later authors included it in
their lists. First found with certainty at Blönduós, N. (by A. Feddersen, 1884). Later
it has been found in some few other places. Doubtless accidentally introduced, and
on the whole not naturalized.
Localities: In S.W.: Reykjavík; in N. : Mælifell in Skagafjörður, Blönduós, Helga-
vatn, Hraunamót, Fljót.
Most of the herbarium specimens are sterile; one found at Reykjavík, however,
has nearly ripe fruits.
Polygonum Hydroþiper Linn.
K. & M., 1770, p. 207.—Babington, 1871, p. 325.
In all the older lists. Vahl doubts its being a native. No specimens are in
evidence; it should be excluded from the Icelandic flora.
Polygonum laþathifolium Linn.
Babington, 1871, p. 325.—Gronlund, Isl. Fl., 1881, p. 86.—E. Rostrup, 1887,
p. 181.—Stefánsson, Fl. Isl., ed. 1, 1901, p. 79.—P. tomentosum Schr., Ibid., ed. 2,
1924, p. 89,—O. & Gr., 1934, p. 54.
Only one specimen is in evidence in H.H., collected by A. Feddersen at Blönduós,
N. (1884), but it is poor and rather doubtful. A specimen recorded by Babington,
loc. cit., and collected by Steenstrup has proved to be P. Persicaria. H.R. contains
an individual under the name P. lapathifolium collected by Stefánsson, 1888, at
Helgavatn, N.; this specimen I have not seen.
P. laþathifolium has most likely been accidentally introduced and is not naturalized
in Iceland.
172. Polygonum Persicaria Linn., Sp. pl. ed. I (1753) p. 361.
K. & M., 1770, p. 207.—Babington, 1871, p. 325.—Stefánsson, Fl. ísl., ed. 1,
1901, p. 80.—Ibid., ed. 2, 1924, p. 91.—O. & Gr., 1934, p. 54.
Flora Dan. tab. 702.
Icelandic: Flóajurt. Danish: Ferskenbladet Pileurt. English: Red-shanks, Lady’s
Thumb.
Found in several places in S. (and S.W.). In N.W. found in one place, Reykjanes
in Isafjörður (St.St., 1893). See fig. 79.
Some of the specimens in H.H. have ripe fruits, and if its habitats at the hot
springs are taken into consideration, it would seem that it may be regarded as a
native of Iceland.
Life-form: Th.
In clayey soil near hot springs ; weed in cultivated soil.
Flor. VI—VII ; fr. mat. VII—VIII.
Max. height: 35 cm ; average : 17 cm.