SPERMATOPHYTA SCITAMINEAE 



391 



with endosperm. This order contains the important family Miisaceae 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 

 I 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 

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

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

 1 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- 

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

 j ily Zingiberaceae includes ginger (Zingiber officinale) which contains gingerol 

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

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

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

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

 bastard cardamon (Amomum xanthioides} , Bengal cardamon (A. subulatumy 

 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 

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



Arrowroot comes from Curcuma leucorhiza, and turmeric from Cur- 

 ; cuma 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- 

 tuin). A well known tropical fruit. W. 

 S. Dudgeon. 



