4. Koenigia islandica Linnaeus, Mant. Plant. 35. 1767; Losinsk. in Kom., Fl. URSS, 5: 704. 1936; Tutin in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ. 1: 76. 1964; Hara in Hara et al., l.c. 174; R. R. Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 202. 1972; Grierson & D.G.Long, l.c. 158. (Fig.3, A-D).
Polygonum islandicum (L.) Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 24. 1886.
A small glabrous or slightly puberulous herb, 0.5-8 cm high; stem very slender, succulent forming tufts.. Leaves obovate or broadly elliptic, entire, 3-4 x 2-3 mm, obtuse, obscurely punctate, nerves ± obscure, base usually rounded, petioles 1.5-4 (-5) mm long, ochreae c. 2 mm long, brown, ± elliptic obovate, nerves obscure. Corymbs 10-15 flowered, terminal. Bracts membranous, 1-2 mm long. Flowers creamy white, pedicel c. 1 mm long. Tepals 3-(-4) divided almost half of their length, ovate, c. 1.0 x c. 0.75 mm. Stamens 1-3, filament ± filiform, short, anthers small, staminodes 3-4 almost equalling the stamens. Styles 2 (-3), very short, minutely capitate. Nuts 1-1.5 mm long, biconvex, brown, minutely granular.
Fl. Per.: June-August.
Type: Habitat in Islandia detecta 1765a Jo. Ger. Konig, qui Islandiam adit Hilforiam naturalem ejus descripturus.
A Euro-Siberian element extending up to China. This alpine plant grows in moist areas, bogs, river banks and brooks, between 3000-5000 m; Distribution: Central Europe, Central Asia, China, Himalayas (Kashmir).
