148 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Kose of British Gardens. A perennial handsome herb. The 

 roots are used in medicine. 



Helvella esculenta, Persoon. 



Europe. Dr. Geoppart notes among saleable Silesian mush- 

 rooms for table use this species as well as H. gigas (Krombholz), 

 H. infula (Fries). 



Hemarthria compressa, K. Brown. 



South Asia, South Africa, extra-tropical Australia. This 

 perennial, though somewhat harsh grass, is recommendable 

 for moist pastures, and will retain a beautiful greenness 

 throughout the year, very highly esteemed by graziers in 

 Gippsland (Victoria) ; it is not injured by frost. H. uncinata 

 is a closely allied plant, which grows down to high- water mark 

 on estuaries of rivers; also otherwise on somewhat saline 

 ground. 



Heracleum Sibiricum, Linne. 



Colder regions of Europe and Asia. A very tall biennial herb 

 with leaves of enormous size. Recently recommended for 

 sheep fodder in the Alpine regions. This plant could also be 

 turned to account for scenic effect in horticulture. 



Heterothalamus brunioides, Lessing. 



South Brazil and Argentina. A dwarf shrub, furnishing the 

 yellow Romerillo dye from its flowers. 



Hibiscus cannabinus, Linne. (H. radiatus, Cavanilles.) 



Tropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. An annual showy herb. 

 The stem yields a hemp-like fibre. Stems up to 12 feet 

 high without ramification if closely sown. Rich soil on the 

 Nile has yielded over 3,000 Ibs. of clear fibre from one acre. 

 The bearing strength is often found to be more than that of 

 the Sun fibre. The leaves serve as sorrel spinach. Several 

 other Hibisci can be utilised in the same manner. Good fibre 

 is also obtained from Sida rhombifolia, L. 



Hibiscus esculentus, Linne*. 



West India and Central America. A tall herb. The muci- 

 laginous seed capsules are known as Ochro, Bandakai, or 

 Gobbo, and used as culinary vegetables. The summers of 

 Victoria bring them to maturity. The Ochro can be pre- 

 served by being dried either in the sun or by artificial heat after 



