228 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES JERUSALEM 



speeiosum, a plant of the Seaweed family (Fucacese) ; it is gelati- 

 nous, and forms an excellent jelly. 



Jerusalem Artichoke (Eelianthus tuberosus). — It is a strong- 

 rooted perennial of tlie Composite family (CompositiB), having 

 rod -like stems attaining a height of 6 to 10 feet, with 

 alternate broad leaves and solitary terminal yellow flowers. 

 It is said to be a native of Brazil, and was introduced to this 

 country about 250 years ago, and cultivated in gardens 

 for its roots, wdiich are similar to small potatoes, and before 

 potatoes were known they w^ere much used in this country as 

 an article of food. This plant is quite distinct from the true 

 artichoke ; the name has nothing to do w^ith Jerusalem, but is 

 derived from the Italian " Gerasoli articocco," meaning Sun- 

 flower Artichoke. 



Jerusalem Thorn, in Jamaica a name for Parkinsonia 

 aculeata, a bushy, spiny, wing-leaved shrub of the Bean family 

 (Leguniinosse), attaining a height of 10 to 15 feet, common 

 throughout the whole of tropical and sub-tropical America, and 

 has also become naturalised in many parts of the eastern hemi- 

 sphere. It is chiefly used as a hedge plant. 



Jesuit's Bark. {See Cinchona.) 



Jesuit's Tea {Psoralea glandulosa), a trifoHate-leaved bushy 

 shrub of the Bean family (Leguminosse). It is a native of 'Chili, 

 where it is used as tea, but it appears to be more valued for 

 its vermifuge properties as a medicine than as a pleasant 

 beverage. The plant has been introduced to the Mauritius, and 

 has acquired some reputation as a remedy for diseases of the 

 respiratory organs. 



Jew's Ear [Himeola auricula Jucla^), a species of the Fungus 

 family belonging to the Tremellini group. It consists of a dark, 

 soft, cup-shaped body, about the size and resembling the shape 

 of the ear. It is generally found growing on elder trees in damp 

 places. It is considered to possess some medicinal virtues, and is 

 represented in New Zealand by R. polytricha, common through- 

 out that colony on decaying trees. It is largely collected and 

 imported to China, where it is highly prized as a medicine and 



