21. Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) H. Gross in Engl. Bot. Jahrb. 49. 277. 1913; Hara in Fl. E. Himal. 70. 1966; in Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 3: 175. 1982; Grierson & D.G.Long, l.c. 165. (Fig.4, E-H).
Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 73. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 1: 44. 1886; R.R.Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 204. 1972; Bhopal & Chaudhri in Pak. Syst. 1(2): 74. 1977.
Perennial herb, rootstock stout, with several branches from the rootstock, 15-25 cm long, trailing or creeping, usually rooting below. Leaves 1-3.5 (-4.0) x 0.75-2.5 cm, ovate, acute, base rounded or cuneate, pubescent-hairy, serrate-dentate, margin hairy, petiole 0.3-0.75 cm long. Ochrea 0.5-1.25 cm long, ovate, ciliate, hairy, tubular. Inflorescence a dense, capitate head, usually solitary, peduncle 1-4 cm long glandular-hispid or sometimes glabrous. Flowers 0.5-1.25 mm across, pink, pedicel very small, up to 1 mm long. Ochrealae 1.5-3.5 mm long, lanceolate, entire, acuminate. Tepals 5, parted nearly to the base, 1.5-2.0 x c. 1.0 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse, 3-veined, stamens 5-6, filaments long, equal, anthers dorsifixed. Ovary 0.50-1.0 x c. 0.5 mm, trigonous; styles three, long filiform, free about half the length with capitate and exserted stigmas. Nuts 1-2.0 x 0.5-0.75 mm, trigonous, dark brown, shining, glabrous, striate.
Fl. Per.: May-August.
Type: Hab. in Nepalia, Buchanan - Hamilton.
A fairly uncommon plant, grows on moist rocks between the altitudes of 1200-2200 m; Distribution: Pakistan, India (Himalayas) extending in east up to W. China through Xizang.
