SPERMATOPHYTA— SCITAMINEAE 



391 



with endosperm. This order contains the important family Musaceae in 

 which is found the banana (Musa sapientum), well known as an article of com- 

 merce. It is extensively cultivated in the tropics and one of the most important 

 food plants in all warm countries. The fruit is eaten fresh when ripe; a kind 

 of flour is also made from it. M. textilis is an important fiber plant being the 

 source of Manilla hemp, large quantities of which are imported from the 

 Philippines. The ravenala or traveler's palm also belongs to this family. It 

 has an oily, edible, arillus which is bright blue. The family Cannaceae con- 

 tains the Indian shot (Canna indica) , frequently cultivated for ornamental 

 purposes in this country; in tropical regions, however, a starch is made from 

 the rhizome of this species and from C. edulis. C. flaccida is a native of the 

 southern United States and has a pretty blue flower. The family Maran- 

 taceae contains the West Indian arrowroot (Maranta arundiacea) . The fam- 

 ily Zingiberaceae includes ginger {Zingiber officinale) which contains gingerol 

 and is used as a condiment and stimulant. The ginger of commerce is derived 

 from the fleshy rootstock, the plants grown in Jamaica being considered most 

 valuable. These are cultivated in regions having an altitude of 2000 feet. 

 Malabar cardamon (Blettaria Cardamomum) round cardamon (Alpinia striata), 

 bastard cardamon (Amomum xanthioides), Bengal cardamon (A. subulatum) 

 and Java cardamon (A. maximum) also belong to this order. The Kaemp- 

 feria rotunda of India, is a bulbous or tuberous rooted biennial which accord- 

 ing to Major Kirkitar, causes profuse salivation and vomiting when administered 

 internally. The rhizome of K. Galanga furnishes a perfume. 



Arrowroot comes from Curcuma leucorhisa, and turmeric from Cur- 

 cumu longa. The tuber of the latter, when powdered, is used as a yellow dye- 



Fig. 171. Canna {Canna flaccida). A 

 native American Canna. 



Fig. 172. Banana Fruit {Musa sapien- 

 tum). A well known tropical fruit. W. 

 S. Dudgeon. 



