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140 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
of a palm and a curious floral structure. The leaves are 
gracefully arching and make the plant very attractive in 
greenhouses. If shade is given, the plant thrives outdoors in 
the southern states. 
Daemonorops palembanicus. Palmae—aA native of Su- 
matra. The palm is slender, with pinnate leaves and spines 
upon the petioles. The imbricated scales covering the fruit 
become enveloped with a red, resinous coating. This fur- 
nishes a commercial substance used for coloring varnishes 
and in medicine as a coloring agent for plasters and tooth 
powders. 
Dictyosperma rubra. Palmae.—aA slender, spineless palm 
of India, used decoratively. The trunk reaches a height of 
40-50 feet. The leaves are dark green with red primary 
veins and margins. 
Dieffenbachia Seguine. Aroideae. Dumb-cane.—A native 
of the West Indies, having a fleshy cane-like stem 114 inches 
in diameter and 4-6 feet high. The leaves are oblong ellip- 
tical, green with white spots. The plant is highly acrid and 
poisonous, and if chewed causes the tongue to swell and 
power of speech is lost for a time, hence the name dumb- 
cane. ‘ 
Dracaena fragrans var. Massangeana. Liliaceae —An 
arborescent plant of South Africa, reaching a height of 20 
feet. The leaves are shining, recurved, with a broad yellow 
stripe along the center. It is used chiefly as an ornamental 
conservatory plant. 
Elaeis guineensis. Palmae. Oil palm.—A low-growing, 
wing-leaved palm of South Africa. The fruits are produced 
in dense bunches, each fruit being about the size of a date. 
An orange rind envelops a pulpy matter surrounding a hard 
nut, from both of which the palm oil of commerce is ob- 
tained. As imported the oil is about the consistency of but- 
ter, of orange-red color, with a sweet violet odor. Tt is used 
chiefly in soap- and candle-making. Glycerin is the prin- 
cipal by-product. Oil-cake made from ground kernels is 
used as food for cattle. 
Erythea armata. Palmae. Blue palm.—A slender palm, 
40 feet high, with very glaucous leaves. It is a native of 
California, where the trees are extensively used in gardens. 
Erythea edulis. Palmae.—A spineless palm of California 
bilo to 30 feet in height, with thick, corky bark. The 
eaves are pubescent. 
Erythea Brandegeei, Lower California. 
