234 INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 



this is made the celebrated pina or pineapple-cloth of the 

 Philippines — said to be the most delicate and perhaps the 

 most costl}' of vegetable textiles. 



Fig. 220. — Southern Moss {TillandtHa usneoides, Pineapple Family, Bro- 

 mdiacece). A, plant in flower, growing attached to bark. B, flower, 

 enlarged. C, flower, cut vertically. (Wittmack.) — Perennial herba- 

 ceous air-plant hanging from trees to a length of 1-2 m., without 

 roots, covered with grayish scales through which water is absorbed; 

 flowers yellow; fruit dry; seeds hairy. Native home, Southern United 

 States to Brazil. 



Fig. 221. — Rush {Juncus effusiis, Rush Family, Jitncacece). Plant in 

 flower, A. Calyx, corolla, and stamens. Fruit. Seed, edge and side 

 views. (Britton and Brown.) — Perennial herb 3-12 dm. tall, smooth 

 throughout; flowers greeni.sh; fruit dry. Native home. North America 

 and Eurasia. 



The fiber extracted from the stem of the so-called southern 

 moss (Fig. 220) by retting is strikingh^ like horsehair in ap- 

 pearance and stiffness, and is largely substituted for it as 



