5. Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M. Gómes in Ann. Inst. Segunda Ensef. Habana. 2: 278. 1896; Hara in Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 3: 176. 1982; Grierson & D.G.Long, Fl. Bhutan 1(1): 161. 1983; Chaudhary, l.c. 306. (Fig.5, A-D).
Polygonum glabrum Willd. Sp. Pl. 2: 447. 1799; Meisn. in DC. Prodr. 14: 115. 1856; Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 34. 1886; Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bomb. 3: 5.1958 (reprint. ed.); Rech. f. & Schiman-Czeika in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. 56: 57. 1968; R.R.Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 206. 1972; Bhopal & Chaudhri in Pak. Syst. 1(2): 75. 1977.
Erect, 0.5-1.5 m tall, glabrous, branched perennial herb. Stem reddish at base, nodes usually swollen. Leaves 18-22 x 1-3.5 cm, completely glabrous, sometimes red gland dotted at the base, elliptic-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, petiole 0.5-1.35 cm. Ochrea 1-3 cm long, tube-like, completely eciliate. Inflorescence glabrous, pedunculate, branched raceme, 5-10 cm long, very slender. Ochreolae 2-4 mm long, imbricate, glabrous. Flowers heterostylous, pedicel 2.5-4.5 mm long, exerted from ochreolae. Tepals 5, eglandular, white or pink, up to 2.5 mm long. Stamens exserted or included, (6-) 7 (-8), 1.75-4 mm long. Pistil exserted or included, 2.0-4.5 mm long; ovary biconvex, styles 2, rarely 3, connate at the base. Nuts bigonous ± rounded, 1.5-3.0 x 1.5-2.0 mm, glabrous, black, shining.
Fl. Per.: April-November.
Type: "Hab. in India Orientali" (B-Willdenow!).
An entirely glabrous plant, except the leaves which are often red-gland dotted, ochrea are completely eciliate. Grows mostly from plains to 1000 m in or near water, in ditches, river banks and lakes; Distribution: Tropical Asia, Pakistan, India extending upto Malayesia and Philippine; Africa.
