PI OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 319 



Pepper Tree, California. {See Mastich.) 

 Pepper Tree of Tasmania {Tasmannia aromatica), a shrub, 

 or ruoored, distorted-branched tree, of the Magnolia fainilv, 

 native of Mount Wellmgton in Tasmania. It attains a height 

 of 10 or 12 feet ; the bark and leaves are aromatic. Its berry- 

 like fruit is pungent, and is used as a substitute for pepper. 



Peppermint (Meiitha j^^perita), a creeping-rooted perennial 

 of the family Labiatse, native of this country, generally grow- 

 ing on river banks and moist places. It is extensively culti- 

 vated here as well as in the United States for its fragrant oil, 

 which is obtained by distillation. It is used as a stimulant, 

 and for making a cordial called Peppermint Water. 



Peppermint Trees of Australia. — Eucalyptus piperita and 

 U. amygdalina, large trees of the Myrtle family (^lyrtaccce), 

 natives of New South Wales and other parts of Australia. They 

 yield an essential oil, which is largely imported into this coun- 

 try. The wood is hard and durable. {See Eucalyptus.) 

 Perry. {See Pears.) 

 Persian Berries. {Sec Buckthorn.) 

 Persimmon Plum. {See Date Plum, American.) 

 Peruvian Bark. {Sec Cinchona.) 



Pharaoh's Corn, supposed to be Triticum compositiun, a 

 wheat having several separate spikes to the ear. It is also 

 called Mummy Wheat. It has been grown at Kew. 



Physic Nut (Jatroplia Cureas), a small tree of the Spurge- 

 wort family (Euphorbiacere), attaining a height of 20 feet, 

 having soft spongy wood and entire or lobed leaves. It is a 

 native of tropical America, and is now cultivated in all hot 

 countries for its seeds, which yield an oil analogous to that of 

 castor-oil, but of a drastic nature ; it is used for many purposes. 

 The seeds are nutty and pleasant to eat, but when eaten to 

 excess produce serious consequences. A few years ago several 

 children died at Bristol through eating them. 



Pi, a name in the Sandwich Islands for Tacea pinnatifida, 

 a perennial herb of the Taccaceie. It is cultivated throughout 

 most of the islands of the Pacific, also in India and the ]\Ialayan 



