216 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Opuntia Missouriensis, Candolle. 



From Nebraska to New Mexico. Professor Meehan. found this 

 Cactus covered with the Cochineal Coccus, and points to the 

 fact that this insect will live through the intense cold which 

 characterises the rocky mountains of the Colorado regions. 



Opuntia Rafinesquii, Engelmann. 



North America. The most northern of all species, extending to 

 Lake Michigan. 



Opuntia spinosissima, Miller. 



Mexico and West India. Stem columnar with pendant branches. 

 Also a good hedge plant. Harding recommends for hedges, besides 

 these species, O. maxima, Miller, as the most repellent. 



Opuntia Tuna, Miller. 



West India, Ecuador, New Granada, Mexico. Irrespective of its 

 value as the principal cochineal plant, this Cactus is also of use for 

 hedges. It will attain a height of 20 feet. The pulp of the 

 fruit is edible. With the other species hardy on the south coast of 

 Australia. 



Opuntia vulgaris, Miller. 



Central America, northward to Georgia, southward to Peru. 

 Adapted for hedges, and, like the rest, not inflammable, thus par- 

 ticularly valuable along railway lines. The fruit almost smooth, 

 eatable. A dye can also be prepared from its pulp and that of 

 allied species. Numerous other species are industrially eligible for 

 hedging purposes. 



Oreodoxa frigida, Humboldt. 



Central America, ascending the Andes to 8,500 feet. This dwarf 

 slender Palm may be chosen for domestic decoration. 



Oreodoxa oleracea, Martins. 



West India, up to nearly 5,000 feet elevation. One of the most 

 rapid growing of Palms. In highly manured moist ground the- 

 Palm-cabbage, which in this species is of exquisite nut-flavour, can 

 l>e obtained already in two years (Imray ; Jenman). 



Oreodoxa regia, Humboldt. 



West India. This noble Palm attains a height of 60 feet. It 

 has proved hardy in Southern Brazil. The stem is thickened at 

 the middle, and from it, like from the much taller 0. oleracea 

 (Martius), starch can be obtained. 



