Fagopyrum gilesii (Hemsl.) Hedb.

Herbs annual. Stems erect, 10-30(-50) cm tall, branched at base, glabrous, striate. Petioles 1.5-3 cm; leaf blade greenish abaxially, green adaxially, cordate, 1-3 × 0.8-2.5 cm, abaxially small papillate along veins, adaxially glabrous; ocrea 3-5 mm, membranous, glabrous, apex acute, oblique. Inflorescence geminate, capitate, dense; peduncle dichotomous; bracts funnel-shaped, 2.5-3 mm, apex acute, glabrous, each 2- or 3-flowered. Pedicel 3-4 mm, slender, apex articulate. Perianth pinkish; tepals elliptic, 2-2.5 mm. Stamens included. Stigmas capitate. Achenes exceeding persistent perianth, brown, slightly shiny, narrowly ovoid, trigonous, 3-4 mm. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Aug-Sep.

Erect, 25-60 cm high, branched, glabrous - pubescent, perennial herb. Stem circular, glabrous, woody, branched, leaves very few, internodes quite long. Lower leaves 10-15 x 8-15 mm, ovate-orbicular, obtuse, entire, long petiolate, petiole 1-3 cm long, upper leaves 4.0-8.0 x 2.5-6.0 mm, ovate, obtuse, entire, petiole 1-2 mm long. Ochrea minute, 1-2 mm long, lanceolate, acuminate, oblique. Inflorescence axillary - terminal, 2-5 mm long, few flowered, capitulate or fasciculate raceme. Flowers up to 1.5 mm across, pedicel c. 0.5 mm. Ochreolae 1-2 mm long, lanceolate, margin mambranous. Perianth segments 5, parted to base, 2.0-2.5 x 1.25-1.5 mm, oblanceolate - obovate, obtuse, entire, unequal. Stamens 8, filaments short, unequal, anthers basifixed. Ovary small, 0.75-1.0 x c. 0.5 mm, lanceolate, trigonous, with three styles and capitate stigmas. Nuts trigonous, glabrous, brown.

Sichuan, Yunnan [Pakistan].

Distribution: Pakistan (Chitral, Swat) and China (Yunan).

Fl. Per.: June-August.

Grassy slopes, valleys; 2200-4000 m.

This species is different from the rest of Fagopyrum species found in our area by its very few and smaller leaves, much smaller nuts. Due to its smaller nuts it is hardly put to any use. Grows between 2200-3500 m among rocks and stony soil.

Polygonum gilesii Hemsley, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 18: t. 1756. 1887.

Polygonum gilesii Hemsl. in Hook. Icon Pl. t. 1756, 1887-88; Rech., f. & Schiman.-Czeika in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. 56: 55. 1968; R.R.Stewart, l.c. 206.