178 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Hibiscus Cannabinus, Linn. (H. radiatus, Cavanilles.) 



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

 yielding the Garnbo-Hemp. Stems to 12 feet high, without rami- 

 fication if closely sawn. 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 Sunn-fibre. The leaves serve as sorrel- 

 spinage. Several other Hibisci can be utilized in the same manner. 

 Good fibre is also obtained from Sida rhombifolia (Linne). 



Hibiscus esculentus, Linn. 



Tropical Africa. A tall herb. The unripe mucilaginous seed- 

 capsules are known as Ochro, Okra Bandakai or Gumbo, and used as 

 a culinary vegetable. The summers of Victoria bring them to 

 maturity. The Ochro can be preserved by being dried either in the 

 sun or by artificial heat after previous slicing. The leaves of this 

 and allied species can be used as pot-herbs. The seeds retain their 

 vitality for about five years (Vilmoriu). In hot moist countries also 

 multiplied from cuttings, and there growing with amazing quickness. 

 Dr. A. Gibson pronounces the Ochro quite a safe food, even when 

 extensively consumed. 



Hibiscus Ludwigii, Ecklon and Zeyher. 



South-Africa. A tall, shrubby and highly ornamental species, 

 desirable also as yielding a fibre of fair strength and toughness. 



Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Linn. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. A showy annual plant, occasionally of 

 more than one year's duration, admitting of culture in the warmer 

 temperate regions ; it is however cut down by frost. It yields the 

 Rosella-fibre. The acidulous calyces furnish a delicious sorrel and 

 rosella-jellies, particularly relished in hot climes. H. punctatus 

 (Dalzell and Gibson) is mentioned as an annual fibre-plant, occurring 

 in Sindh and Mooltan ; H. tetraphyllus (Roxburgh) is noted by 

 Prof. Wiesner as an annual Indian fibre-plant also. 



Hierochloa redolens, R. Brown. 



South-Eastern Australia, there almost confined to the Alps; also in 

 New Zealand, in the Antarctic Islands and the southern extremity of 

 America. A tall, perennial, blady grass, with the odor of Anthoxan- 

 thum. It is worthy of dissemination on moist pasture-land in cool 

 countries. H. borealis of the colder regions of the northern hemi- 

 sphere accompanies H. redolens in the south, but is a smaller grass. 

 These grasses are to some extent valuable for their fragrance as con- 

 stituents of hay, the odorous principle, as in Anthoxanthum, Melilotus 

 and Asperula, being cumarin. Hierochloas are particularly appro- 

 priate for cold, wet, moory grounds. 



Hippocrepis comosa, Linn4. 



The Horse-shoe Vetch. Middle and Southern Europe, North- 

 Africa. A perennial fodder-herb, not without importance. Likes 



