sturtevant's notes on edible plants 623 



long, and has an edible pulp. Brandis ' says that, while the fruit of the Mediterranean 

 variety is sweet, that of the Indian variety is acid but well flavored. This shrub was 

 introduced into South Carolina in 1837, and the seed was distributed from the Patent 

 Office in 1855.^ 



Z. spina-christi Willd. chpist's thorn, nubk tree. 



North Africa and the Orient. The fruit is oblong, about the size of a sloe and has 

 a pleasant, subacid taste. It is used as food by the inhabitants of Egypt and Arabia.' 



Z. xylopjrrus Willd. 



East Indies. The fruits are not eaten by men but the kernels are.* 



Zostera marina Linn. Naiadaceae. eel grass, grass-wrack, sea grass. 



Europe. In the outer Hebrides, the root of this plant, which after storms is cast 

 upon the shores in great abundance, is chewed for the saccharine jtuce which it contains.* 

 The plant is much used as a manure. 



Zygophyllimi coccineum Linn. Zygophylleae. 



North Africa and Arabia. The aromatic seeds are employed by the Arabs "in the 

 place of pepper.* 



Z. fabago Linn, bean caper. 



Spain, north Africa and western Asia. The flowers are used as a caper substitute.' 



Brandis, D. Forest Fl. 85. 1874. (Z. vulgaris) 

 2 U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt. 311. 1855. 



'Loudon, J. C. Arb. Frut. Brit. 2:526. 1844. 



Brandis, D. Forest Fl. 90. 1874. 

 ' 7orn. i4gr. 2:379. 1831. 



Masters, M. T. Treas. Bot. 2:1254. 1870. 

 ' Balfour, J. H. Man. Bot. 466. 1875. 



