6o4 sturtevant's notes on edible plants 



1651; in Massachusetts, in 1634; in Pennsylvania, in 1683 and 1685; and in Indiana in 

 1804. In Chile and in California, its culture seems successful. In California, its intro- 

 duction was due to the Missions which were mainly established from 1769 to 1820. 

 Except in California, here and there a single vine in exceptional localities may succeed. 

 The currant, or Zante, grape is the variety which furnishes the dried currants of 

 commerce, the individtial grapes being no larger than peas, entirely free from seeds and 

 of an agreeable flavor. This vine was introduced into the United States in 1855 and is 

 now grown in California, where, however, it troubles the cultivator by occasionally pro- 

 ducing seeds. At present, our supply of currant grapes comes from the Ionian Islands 

 chiefly but they are also grown in France. Unlike other grape vines, this, in Zante, will 

 not succeed upon the hills but flourishes in low lands, retentive of moisture, incapable 

 of drainage and flooded for two months of the year. 



Voandzeia subterrana Thou. Leguminosae. groundnut. 



African tropics; extensively cultivated from Bambarra and the coast of Guinea to 

 Natal, its esculent pods and seeds forming a common article of food. In 1682, Father 

 Merolla describes this species in the Congo under the name of incuntbe, growing tmder 

 ground. He saj^, ." it is like a musquet-ball and very wholesome and well tasted." 

 Montiero ' says it is sparingly cultivated at Cambambe and the surrounding district. 

 The plant is commonly found now in Brazil and in Surinam. 



Voyria rosea Aubl. Gentianeae. 



Guiana. The tuberous roots are baked and eaten in Gviiana like potatoes. They 

 are of a reddish color externally and white within.^ 



Washingtonia filifera H. Wendl. Palmae. 



This palm is found in rocky canyons near San Felipe, Cahfomia, attaining a height 

 of 50 feet. The frtiit is small, black, ptdpy and is used as food by the Indians. 



Weinmannia racemosa Linn. f. Saxifrageae. 



New Zealand. This tree resembles the beech in leaf and general appearance and bears 

 a fruit the color and size of a Damson plum. The fruit is sweet and pleasant.' 



Willughbeia edulis Roxb. Apocynaceae. 



Himalayas, Bmraa, India and Malay. The fniit is of a dark orange color, the size 

 of a large lemon, and is filled with a soft, yellowish pulp, in which are immersed a few 

 seeds the size of a horse bean. It is thought good by the natives.* 



Wistaria chinensis DC. Leguminosae. wistaria. 

 China. The flowers are used for food.' 



' Montiero, J. J. Angola, River Congo 2:111. 1875. 

 ' Masters, M. T. Treas. Bot. 2:1225. 1870. 



* Card. Chron. 703. 1841. (Leiospermum racemosum) 



* Roxburgh, W. Pis. Coram, y.-jy. 1819. 

 Bretschneider, E. Bot. Sin. $2. 1882. 



