86 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



pulp is about twice as large in proportion to the seeds. The fruit 

 requires a longer time to ripen (a year), but this species can be 

 grown in hot tropical countries down to the coast. (Lietze ; Hegel). 



Colchicum autumnale, Linne. 



Middle and South Europe, West Asia. The Meadow Saffron. 

 The seeds and roots of this pretty bulbous-tuberous herb are 

 important for medicinal use. The plant has been introduced into 

 Australia by the writer with a view of being naturalised on moist 

 meadows in our ranges. Active principle : colchicin. 



Golocasia antiquorum, Schott.* 



From Egypt through South Asia to the South Sea Islands ; 

 apparently also indigenous in the warmer parts of East Australia. 

 The Taro. The stem-like, tuberous, starchy roots lose their 

 acridity by the process of boiling, roasting, or baking. It is the 

 Kolkas of the Arabs and Egyptians, to them one of the most 

 esteemed and abundant vegetables. Immense quantities are 

 harvested and kept during the winter. A splendid starch is 

 obtainable from the tubers of this and the following species. The 

 plant proved hardy as far south as Melbourne. Cultivated as far 

 south as New Zealand. The tops of the tubers are replanted for a 

 new crop. Taro requires a rich moist soil, and would grow well on 

 banks of rivers. Eor scenic culture it is a very decorative plant. 

 Colocasia esculenta is a variety of this species. 



Colocasia Indica, Kunth. (Alocasia Indica, Schott.) 



South Asia, South Sea Islands, and East Australia. Cultivated 

 for its stem and tubers on swamps or rivulets. This stately plant 

 will rise in favourable localities to a height of 12 feet, the edible 

 trunk attaining a considerable thickness, the leaves sometimes 

 measuring 3 feet in length. In using the stein and root for food 

 great care is needed to expel by the heating process all acridity. 

 Colocasia odora and C. macrorrhiza seem varieties of this species. 

 Several other aroid plants deserve attention for test-culture on 

 account of their edible roots, among them Cyrtosperma edule, 

 Seemann, from the Fiji-Islands. 



Combretum butyraceum, Caruel. 



The Butter Tree of Caffraria and other parts of South-East Africa. 

 The Caffirs call the fatty substance obtained from this tree Chiquito. 

 It is largely used by them as an admixture to their food, and 

 exported also. It contains about one-quarter olein and three- 

 quarters margarin. This butter-like fat is extracted from the fruit, 

 and is of an aromatic flavour. The tree should be hardy in the 

 warmer and milder parts of Victoria. 



