Polygonum meissneri Wall. Cat. 1693. 1829, nom. nud.; Polygonum emodi Meisn. in Wall., Pl. Asia. Rar. 3: 51. t. 287. 1832; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 33. 1886; Steward in Contr. Gray Herb. 88: 29. 1930.

Prostrate, glabrous, branched, woody, perennial herb with a thick root stock. Stem branched, branches few, prostrate, 10-15 cm long, woody. Leaves 2.5-5.0 x 1.8-3.0 cm, lanceolate or linear, grass-like, acute, sessile. Ochrea 1.5-2.5 cm long, tubular, ovate, long acuminate or lacerate, membranous. Inflorescence an erect, terminal, simple or branched, 3-4 cm, lax flowered raceme on 6-8 cm long slender peduncles. Flowers 1.5-2.5 mm across. Ochreolae 0.1-0.2 cm long, tubular, glabrous, ovate, acute. Tepals 4-5-parted, 4-5 mm long, oblanceolate, obtuse, deep red. Stamens 8, filaments long, filiform, equal. Ovary 1.0-2.0 x 0.5-0.75 mm, trigonous with three styles ,free till middle, stigmas capitate. Nuts 1.5-3 x 0.75-1 mm, trigonous, black, shining, glabrous.

Fl. Per.: July-September.

Syntypes: Kumaon, Wall. Cat. 1693 (K!), Iso (E!); Kumaon, Blinkworth.

A new record for our area, probably confined only up to Kashmir which is its western most limit. Grows on 3500-4500 m in cleft of rocks and vertical cliff faces; Distribution: Temperate Himalayas Bhutan to Kashmir.

Closely allied to Bistorta vaccinifolia (Wall. ex Meisn.) Green, in its prostrate habit, however, it is readily distinguishable by its grass-like leaves.