3860 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 
flora), the leaves and pods of which must be gathered when young and tender, and, 
like other green foods, must not be indulged in too freely, owing to their cathartic 
properties, The chemical composition of several green vegetables, including species 
of Brassica and Amaranthus, has been published by Mr. Walter C. Blasdale, who 
shows that the species of Amaranthus analyzed by him contains a much higher 
percentage of protein than the crucifers.¢ 
Several varieties of Amaranthus are cultivated in Bengal, the tender succulent tops 
of the young stems and branches of which are served as a substitute for asparagus. ? 
Potamogetonaceae. PONDWEED FAMILY. 
This family is represented in Guam by Potamogeton natans martiannensis, P. zizii, 
Ruppia maritima, and fTalodule uninervis. 
P} ’ 
Potamogeton fluitans Gaudich., not Roth. Same as Potamogeton natans mariannensis. 
Potamogeton gaudichaudii Cham. & Schlecht. Same as Potamogeton zizii. 
Potamogeton mariannensis. See Potamogeton natans mariannensis. 
Potamogeton natans mariannensis. FLOATING PONDWEED. 
Family Potamogetonaceae. 
A submerged water plant with creeping rootstock; upper leaves floating, elliptical, 
somewhat pointed at each end, 5 cm. long, one-half as broad, many-nerved, long- 
petioled; petiole flat; nerves conspicuous on both sides, but neither prominent nor 
sunken; peduncle terete, slender; flower spike cylindrical, slender, with flowers of 
the size of those of P. oblongus. 
In rivulo aquae dulcis urbem Agana insulae Guajan e Marianis irrigante a cele- 
berrimo Gaudichaud lectus, ad P. natantis tribum pertinet. (Chamisso & Schlech- 
tendal, Linnzea, vol. 2, p. 228.) 
REFERENCES: 
Potamogeton natans mariannensis (Cham. & Schlecht.) Nolte; K. Schu. & Laut. 
Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgebiet. in der Siidsee 162. 1901, 
Potamogeton mariannensis Cham. & Schlecht. Linnwa 2: 228, 1827. 
Potamogeton zizii. SHINING PONDWEED. 
A species closely allied to P. Jucens and P. mueronatus. Stems slender, branching; 
floating leaves elliptic, many-nerved; petioles mostly short; submerged leaves mostly 
lanceolate or oblanceolate, thin, acute or cusp'date; stipules obtuse, 2-keeled; pedun- 
cles thicker than the stem; fruit obliquely obovoid, the face dorsally 3-keeled; style 
short, blunt, facial. 
This plant was collected by Gaudichaud in the Agafia River. The growth of 
Potamogeton and other water plants is here so vigorous as to check the flow of the 
river, and it must be cleaned out periodically. 
In rivulo dulcis aquae urbem Agana in insula Guajan pereurrente legit amicissimus 
Gaudichaud. (Chamisso and Seblechtendal, Linnaea, vol. 2, p. 200, 1827. ) 
REFERENCES: 
Potamogeton zizii Koch; Roth, Enum. Pl. Germ. 2: 531, 1827. 
Potat (Philippines). See Burringtonia racemosa. 
Potato, sweet. See Ipomoea hatatas. 
Potato, white or Irish. See Solanum tuberosum. 
Premna gaudichaudii. FALSE ELDER. 
Family Verbenaceae. 
LocaL NamEs.—Ahgao, Ahgap, Ajgao (Guam); Sauco (Spanish). 
A shrub or small tree with puberulent young branches and flower panicles. Leaves 
“Some Chinese vegetable food materials, U. S. Dept. Agr., Off. Exp. Sta. Bull. 
No. 68, 1859. 
®Firminger, Manual of Gardening for Bengal, ed. 4, p. 151, 1890. 
