132 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



sible that the number of edible species may be doubled. At the 

 present time, when a scarcity of many foods is threatened, it 

 behooves ns to investigate all possible sources of supply. 



OSMUNDACEAE. 



Osmunda cinnamomca. Cinnamon Fern. The bud at 



the base of the fronds in this species and in O. Claytoniana is 



sweet and edible with a flavor of chestnuts. Often called 



"heart of Osmond." Secured by pulling up the fronds en masse. 



Osmunda rcgalis. Royal Fern. Young fronds used 

 like asparagus. 



PARKERIACEAE. 

 Ccratoptcris thalictroides. Floating Fern. Reported 

 to be used as a potherb in the warmer parts of the earth. 



POLYPODIACEAE. 

 Onoclca struthioptcris. Ostrich Fern. Young fronds 

 may be used like asparagus. 



Pteris aquilina. Bracken. Young shoots eaten like 

 asparagus. 



Nephrodium fiii.v-mas. Male Fern. This and N. mar- 

 ginal are officinal drugs. 



TAXACEAE. 



Taxus Canadensis. American Yew. The scarlet arils 

 of the seeds are edible. Seeds reported to be poisonous. 



PINACEAE. 

 Finns edit! is. Pinon Pine. The seeds of this species are 

 the pinon nuts of the markets. 



Finns monophylla. Nut Pine. This species also a 

 source of pinon nuts. 



Pinns sabiniana. Digger Pine. Another western spe- 

 cies whose seeds are edible and large enough to be worth 

 gathering. 



Pinus Lambcrtiana. Sugar Pine. Seeds edible. Sev- 

 eral other species of pine yield edible seeds. 



