238 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Phyllostachys nigra, Munro.* (Bambusa nigra, Loddiges.) 



China and Japan. Up to 25 feet high. The stems nearly solid 

 and becoming black. Has withstood severe frost in the south of 

 France and at Vienna. Known to have grown 1 6 feet in six weeks. 

 Bamboo chairs and walking-sticks often made of this species. A 

 Japan species of this bambusaceous genus proved hardy in 

 Scotland. P. viridi-glaucescens and P. aurea are perfectly hardy 

 in England (Munro). 



Physalis Alkekengi, Linne. 



The Strawberry Tomato or Winter Cherry. Middle and South 

 Europe, North Africa, Middle Asia, extending to Japan, said to 

 have come originally from Persia. A perennial herb. The berry, 

 which is red and of a not unpleasant taste, has some medicinal 

 value. The leaves contain a bitter principle physalin. 



Physalis'angulata, Linne. 



In many tropical countries, extending as a native plant to the 

 northern parts of the United States and to Japan. An annual 

 herb. Yellowish ; the berries edible. P. minima, L. (P. parviflora, 

 R. Br.), appears to be a variety and extends also into tropical 

 Australia. 



Physalis Peruviana, Linne. 



Temperate and tropical America, widely naturalized in many 

 countries of the warmer zones. With double inaptness called 

 the Cape Gooseberry. A perennial herb ; but for producing its 

 fruit well, it .requires early renovation. The acidulous berries can 

 be used as well as a table fruit as for preserves. Doubtless several 

 other kinds of Physalis can be utilized in the same manner. In 

 colder countries the P. Peruviana becomes annual. 



Pilocarpus pinnatifolius, Lemaire. 



One of Jaborandi plants of tropical and sub-tropical Brazil. The 

 leaves and bark of this shrub, which contain essential oil and a 

 a peculiar alkaloid, are famed as an agreeable, powerful, and 

 quickly-acting sudorific. This bush is likely to endure the clime of 

 milder temperate forest regions (Continho, Baillon, Hardy, Guebler). 

 Like P. simplex, also an active sialogogue. Pilocarpin contracts 

 the pupil, and stimulates powerfully the salivary glands. 



Pimpinella Anisum, Linne. 



The Anise Plant. Greece, Egypt, Persia. An annual. The seed- 

 like fruits enter into various medicines and condiments, and are 

 also required for the distillation of oil, rich in anethol. The 

 herbage left after obtaining the seeds serves for fodder. 



