Polygonum biaristatum Aitch. & Hemsl.

Prostrate, branched from base, branches up to 12 cm long, glabrous, smooth, perennial undershrub. Stems many, woody, with thick, woody rhizome, internodes short. Leaves 7-10 x 1-2 mm, elliptic-obovate, acute-acuminate or mucronulate, sessile or subsessile, subcoriaceous, margins revolute. Ochreae 1-2.5 mm long, ovate-lanceolate, tubular, membranous, bifid, each with strong veins extending with 2 strong ferruginous awns/aristae. Inflorescence axillary, 1-2-flowered. Flowers 1-2 mm across, shortly pedicellate or sessile. Ocrheolae small, tubular, ovate, lacerate. Tepals red, 5, parted, almost half of their length, equal, 2-3 x 0.5-0.75 mm, oblanceolate, obtuse. Stamens 8, filaments long, equal, slightly broader at base. Ovary 1.5-3.0 x 1.0-1.5 mm, trigonous, with 3 styles and capitate stigmas. Nuts 2-3.5 x 1.75-2.5 mm, ovate, trigonous, glabrous, black.

Distribution: Central Asia (Pamir-Alai, Tien Shan), Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Fl. Per.: June-September.

Grows on dry stony slopes between 3000-4000 m. Not a common species in our area.