364 sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



Considerable quantities are made at the Poggy Islands, lying ofif the west coast of Sumatra, 

 where it forms the principal food of the inhabitants.' 



M. vitiense Benth. & Hook. f. sago palm. 



This is a true sago palm in Viti but its quality, Seemann * says, was not known to 

 the natives until he pointed it out to them. 



Michelia champaca Linn. Magnoliaceae. champaca. fragrant champaca. 



Malay. The fruit is said to be edible, and in India the tree is cultivated for the 

 exquisite perfimie of the flowers.' 



. Micromeria Juliana Benth. Labiatae. savory. 



East Mediterranean region. This savory is mentioned by Gerarde,* 1597, as sown 

 in gardens. It is a native of the Mediterranean coimtries, called in Greece, ussopo, in 

 Egypt, pesalem.^ It has disappeared from our seed catalogs. 



M. obovata Benth. 



West Indies and introduced in Britain in 1783. The species has two varieties. It 

 was recorded by Burr," 1863, as in American gardens but as little used. It is said to be 

 much used for seasoning in its native country. It is now recorded as in cultivation in 

 Europe. 



Microseris forsteri Hook. f. Compositae. 



Australia and New Zealand. This is the native scorzonera of tropical Australia 

 and New Zealand. The root is used as a food by the aborigines.' The roots are roasted 

 by the natives and eaten. They have an agreeable taste.' 



M. sp.? 



This plant furnishes a small, succulent, and almost transparent root, full of a bit- 

 terish, milky juice. The root is eaten raw by the Nez Perc^ Indians.' 



Milium nigricans Ruiz & Pav. Gramineae. 



Peru. A drink called ullpu is obtained from the farina of the seeds.'" 



Millettia atropurpurea Benth. Leguminosae. 



A tree of Burma and Malay. The tender leaves are said to be eaten." 



' Griffith, W. Palms Brit. Ind. 2$. 1850. {Sagus laevis) 



' Seemann, B. Fl. Viti. 279. 1865-73. 



Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 1:81. 1831. 



* Gerarde, J. Herb. 461. 1597. 



' Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 34$. 1879. (Satureia Juliana) 



'Burr, F. Field, Card. Veg. 442. 1863. {Satureia viminea) 



'Mueller, P. Sel. Pis. 2S0. 1891. 



'Hooker, W. J. Journ. Bot. 9:266. 1857. (Scorzonera lawrencii) 



'U. S. D. A. Rpt. 409. 1870. {Scorzonella ptilophora) 



^o Treas. Bot. 2:1 VSt. 1876. 



" Wallich PI. Asiat. 1:70. Tab. 78. 1830-32. 



