60 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
furnish a staple article of diet among the natives. The 
leaves are likewise used as a vegetable. A variety of this 
species, C. m. variegata, is an interesting greenhouse 
plant, remarkable for the bold and distinct markings of 
the leaves, consisting of light green and pure white. 
Its cultivation should be the same as the Caladium. 
C. esculenta (Caladium esculentum). This is the 
Tanyah of the Southern States, and was formerly con- 
siderably used by the negroes as an article of food. The 
roots are boiled and eaten like potatoes. The tubers 
increase in length annually by the new growth, like 
those of the Calla, and this new growth is not eaten, it 
being too acrid. The part used is the previous year’s 
growth. This species makes a beautiful plant for lawn 
decoration, either pianted singly, in clumps, or for bor- 
ders of sub-tropical groups. Its requirements are a deep 
rich soil, and plenty of moisture. If these are provided 
a single plant will grow six feet in height, with leaves 
four feet long and three feet wide. ‘To secure a speci- 
men of this kind the plant should have a pail of water 
given it every day that it does not rain. The market is 
supphed with the tubers of this species from Florida, 
where it is extensively grown on marshy ground. A 
variety from Cuba is found in the markets, but it is not 
as desirable, as the leaves are smaller and the stems 
purplish. 
C. odorata.—This has large cordate leaves, with 
rounded lobes, and forms a stem-like root, often several 
feet in height. It is a splendid plant for garden 
decoration. ; 
There are several other species and varieties, but 
there have been so many changes in their classification, 
that much confusion exists in regard to their nomencla- 
ture, the same species being, at different times, called 
Caladium, Alocasia and Colocasia, 
