338 sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



find mention of the culture of flax in Russia about 969 A. D. Flax is said to have been 

 introduced into Ireland by the Romans, or even more remotely, by the Phoenicians, but 

 the earliest definite mention of linen in Ireland seems to be about 500 A. D. In England, 

 the statement is made that it was introduced in 1175 A. D., and Anderson, in his History 

 of Commerce, traces some fine linen made in England in 1253. In New England, the 

 growing of flax commenced with its first settlement, and as early as 1640 it received legis- 

 lative attention. 



Lippia pseudo-thea Schau. Verbenaceae. 



Brazil. In Brazil, an infusion of the leaves is highly esteemed as a tea substitute, 

 under the name of capitao do matto.^ Lindley ^ saj^ the leaves form an agreealbe tea. 



Liriodendron tulipifera Linn. Magnoliaceae. poplar, tulip tree, whitewood. 



Eastern North America. The root is used to prepare an agreeable liquor. The 

 Canadians use the root to correct the bitterness of spruce beer and to give it a lemon 

 flavor.* 



Lissanthe montana R. Br. Epacrideae. 



Australia. The large, white, transparent, fleshy fruits are eaten.* 



L. sapida R. Br. Australian cranberry. 



Australia. The berries are red and acid and are made into tarts in New South Wales.* 

 A. Smith ' says the flesh is thin and more like that of the Siberian crab than of the 

 cranberry. 



L. strigosa R. Br. 



Australia. The fruit is eaten.^ 



Litobrochia sinuata Brack. Filices. royal fern. 



Seemann ' says the leaves of this fern are used as a potherb by the natives of Viti. 



Livistona australis Mart. Palmae. cabbage palm, gippsland palm. 



Australia. The yoimg and tender leaves of this palm are eaten like cabbages.' 



Lobelia sp.? Campanulaceae. lobelia. 



The roots of one species are said by Thunberg "to be eaten by the Hottentots. It 

 is called karup. 



' Archer, T. C. Profit. Pis. 126. 1865. (Lantana psuedo-thea) 

 'Lindley, J. Veg. King. 663. 1846. (Lantana pseudo-thea) 

 Baillon, H. Hist. Pis. 1:177. i87i- 

 < Smith, A. Treoj. So/. 2:688. 1870. 

 ' Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 3:776. 1834. 

 Smith, A. Treas. Bo/. 2:688. 1870. 

 ' Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 3:776. 1834. 

 Seemann, B. Fl. Viti. 350. 1865^73. 

 ' Smith, A. Treas. Bot. 2: 6go. 1870. 

 '"Thunberg Trail. 2:150. 1796. 



