530 sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



where it is gathered by the Indians. Syria, Armenia, Candia and south Russia have all 

 been indicated as the native locality of rye. Pickering * says it is native in northeastern 

 Europe and the adjoining portions of Asia. Rye is now found in Norway, at 67 north, 

 but its cultivation is usually given as extending between 50 and 60 north in Europe 

 and Asia and in America between 40 and 50 north. Eraser * found rye in large fields at 

 an elevation of 1 1405 feet near the temple of Milim in the Himalayas. Neither the people 

 of ancient India nor the Egyptians were acquainted with rye. The Greeks received rye 

 from Thrace and Macedonia.' Pliny mentions its cultivation at the foot of the Alps * 

 and thought the grain detestable and good only to appease extreme himger.' Rye early 

 reached northeastern America. In 1606, L'Escarbot sowed rye at Port Royal, Nova 

 Scotia,' and, in 1610, it was growing in Champlain's garden at Quebec' Rye is men- 

 tioned in New England, 1629-1633, by Wood.' Rye is less variable than other cultivated 

 plants and there are but few varieties. i^ 



Sechium edule Sw. Cucurbitaceae. chayote. 



West Indies. This species is cultivated in tropical America, the West Indies and 

 Madeira for its fruit, which is about four inches long, three inches in diameter, of a green 

 color outside and white within. It is used as a vegetable.' The roots of the old vine, 

 on being boiled, are farinaceous and wholesome, and the seeds are very good boiled and 

 fried in butter. It is called chocho} In South America, it is known as choko and chayote 

 and the fruit is used." In Mexico, chayote was cultivated by the Aztecs, who called it 

 chayotli.^^ In Madeira, the imripe fruit is eaten boiled and called chocho. In the London 

 market, where it is sent, it is known tmder the name, chayote. 



Sedum album Linn. Crassulaceae. stonecrop. 



Europe, north Asia. The leaves serve as a Falad." 



S. anacampseros Linn, evergreen orpine. 



Europe. The plant is used in soup as a vegetable." 



S. roseiun Scop, rosy-flowered stonecrop. 

 Europe. In Greenland, this species is eaten." 



' Pickering, C. Chron. Hist. Pis. 513. 1879. 

 2 Enc. Brit. 17:630. 



' Unger, F. U. S. Pal. Off. Rpt. 303. 1855. 

 * Ibid. 



' Bostock and Riley Nat. Hist. Pliny 4:52. 1856. 

 ' Parkman, F. Pion. France 266. 1894. 

 ' Parkman, F. Pion. France 360. 1894. 

 "Wood, W. New Eng. Prosp. 14. 1865. 

 Smith, J. Did. Econ. Pis. 113. 1882. 

 " Long Hist. Jam. 3:802. 1774. 

 " Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 3:37. 1834. 

 "Smith, A. Treas. Bot. 2: 10^^. 1870. 

 " Loudon, J. C. Hort. 683. i86o. 

 "Baillon ffti/. P/i. 3:318. 1874. 

 " Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 3:114. 1834. (5. rhodiola) 



