Polygonum molle D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 72. 1825; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 50. 1886; R.R.Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 207. 1972; Coccoloba totnea Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nep. 74. 1825; Persicaria mollis (D.Don) H. Gross in Bull. Geog. Bot. 23: 31. 1913; Ampelygonum molle (D. Don) Roberty & Vautier in Boissiera 10: 3. 1964.

Erect, 2-3 m tall, softly tomentose, branched, perennial herb or undershrub. Stem often dichotomously branched, terete, villous, rarely glabrous. Leaves 7-18 x 3.0-6.0 cm, elliptic-lanceolate, pubescent-tomentose above, villous below. Ochrea ovate, eciliate, tubular up to 5 cm long, membranous. Inflorescence large, richly branched terminal, thyrsoid, tomentose panicle. Flowers 1-2 mm across. Ochreolae ovate, eciliate, tubular. Tepals 5, creamy white, 1.5-3.0 x 0.5-1.2 mm, oblong-oblanceolate, obtuse. Stamens 8, filaments long, filiform. Ovary 0.5-1.5 x 0.25-0.5 mm, trigonous, styles 3 with capitate stigmas. Nuts included within the reddish black fleshy tepals, exserted up to half or one third of its lengths, forming a baccate fruit; 2-3 x 1-1.5 mm, trigonous, brown, shining.

Type: Hab. in Nepalia, Wallich (K!).

Distribution: Central and Eastern Himalayas, Garhwal to Assam, Sri Lanka, eastward to China.

Reported from Siran range, Hazara (Inayat) and Banihal Pass, Kashmir (Kaul et al. fide R.R.Stewart, l.c.). However, we have not come across any specimen from our area. The occurrence of the species seems to be doubtful in Pakistan & Kashmir.