SCIENTIFIC AND POPULAR. 401 



2143. YEATESIA, Gray. (Gatesia). Yeatesia. Acanthaceae. 



One species in western tJ. S. 



2144. YtJCCA, L. Adam's-needle, etc. Liliaceae. 

 The vernacular name (San Domingo). Robust, even arbores- 

 cent plants, the showy white flowers in an ample panicle. 

 About 16 species, N. America; 15 in southern U. S. Leaves of 

 several species yield a fiber called dagger-fiber. The steins of 

 some species are used by the Mexicans as a substitute for soap, 

 called by them Amole. 



a. Y. aloifolia L. Southeastern U. S. Spanish-dagger, Dagger- 



plant, Spanish-bayonet, Adam's-needle-and-thread, Eve's- 

 thread. Fruit succulent, edible, locally called banana. 



b. Y. arboresceus (Torr. ) Trelease. Mohave desert. A tree 



sometimes 40 feet high. Joshua tree. Seeds used for food by 

 aborigines. 



c. Y. baccata Torr. Texas to California and Mexico. Spanish- 



bayonet, Mexican Banana, Soap-plant. Fruit edible. Leaves 

 yield Tambigo fiber. 



d. Y. gloriosa L. (Y. integerrima Stokes). Southeastern U. S. 



Glorious Yucca^, Dwarf Palmetto*, Mound Lily. Still more 

 ornamental is (e) Y. macrociirpa Coville, Texas to New 

 Mexico and Mexico, 



f. Y. fllameutosa L. Southeastern U. S. and cult, in gardens. 

 Adam' s-needle, Adam' s-needle-and-thread,Eve' s-thread, Thread- 

 and-needle, Eve's-daming-needle, Bear' s-thread. Bear-grass, 

 Silk-grass. 



2145. ZAMIA, L. Florida Arrow-root. Cycadaceae. 



From Latin, "fircone". Plants with palm-like foliage and 

 a short thick caudex, often wholly subterranean. About 30 

 species, tropical N. America; 2 in U. S. 



a. Z. integrifolia Jacq. Florida and West Indies, called in Flo- 

 rida Coontee (Coontie, Koontee), in Jamaica Wild Sago. 

 Starch from the tuber-like caudex, Florida Arrowroot. A 

 similar product is obtained in the West Indies from other spe- 

 cies. 



2146. ZANNICHELLIA, L. Zannichellia. Naidaceae^ 

 Named for J. H. Zannichelli, Italian botanist, d. 1729. 



Obscure water- weeds. About 3 species, widely distributed; 1 

 in U. S. 



2147. ZAISTEDESCHIA, Spreng. 1826,not Koch 1854. Araceae. 

 Named for Francesco Zantedeschi, Italian botanist, 19th 



Century. Syn. Richardia, Kunth. not L.; Calla, in part. 

 Marsh herbs from thickened rhizomes. About 5 species, south- 

 em Africa. 



a. Z. Aetliiopica (L.) Spreng. (C. Aethiopica L., R. Africana 

 Kunth (Kew), C. ambigua Salisb.). South Africa, cult, as a 

 house plant. Calla, Calla Lilyf, Trumpet Lily, African Lily, 

 Ethiopian Lily, Lily-of-the-Nile. Flunt acrid, like Indian 

 Turnip. 



