276 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Rhamnus frangula, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. One of the 

 very best woods for gunpowder. Eecommended by Sir Joseph 

 Hooker to be grown on the coppice system for this purpose. 



Rhamnus Grascus, Reuter. 



Greece. From this shrub, and to no less extent from the 

 allied R. prunifolius (Sibth.), are the green dye-berries 

 collected in Greece, according to Dr. Heldreich. These 

 shrubs grow on stony mountains up to 2,500 feet. 



Rhamnus infectorius, Linne. 



On the Mediterranean Sea and in the countries near to it. 

 The berry-like fruits of this shrub are known in commerce as 

 Graines d' Avignon and Graines de Perse, and produce a 

 valuable green dye. Other species seem to supply a similar 

 dye-material, for instance, R. saxatilis (L.), R. amygdalinus 

 (Desf.), R. oleoides (L.), R. tinctorius (W. and K.). 



Rhapidophylluxn hystrix, Wendland and Drude. (Chamcerops 

 hystrix 3 Eraser). 



The Bule Palmetto of Florida and Carolina. Another hardy 

 dwarf Fan Palm. 



Rhapis flabelliformis, Linne fiL 



China and Japan. This exceedingly slender Palm attains 

 only a height of a few feet. The stems can be used for 

 various small implements. It is one of the best plants for 

 table decoration. 



Rhaponticum acaule, Candolle. (Centaura Cynara y F. v. M.) 



On the Mediterranean Sea. A perennial herb. The root is 

 edible. 



Rheum australe, Don.* (E. Emodi, Wall. ; E. Webbiannm, Royle.) 

 Himalayan regions up to 16,000 feet. From this species at 

 least a portion of the medicinal Rhubarb is obtained ; most 

 likely several species furnish Rhubarb-root, and its quality 

 depends probably much on the climatic region and the geo- 

 logical formation in which the plant grows. Should we wish 

 to cultivate any species here for superior medicinal roots, 

 then clearly localities in our higher and drier Alpine tracts 

 should be chosen for the purpose. Hayne regards the presence 

 of much yellowish pigment in the seed-shell as indicating a 

 good medicinal Rhubarb-plant. As much as five Ibs. of the 



