336 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Touchardia latifolia, Gaudichaud. 



In the Hawaiian Islands. A shrub allied to Boehmeria nivea, 

 yielding a tough and easily separable fibre, as shown by Dr. Hille- 

 brand. Probably best adapted for humid warm gullies. 



Tragopogon porrifolius, Linne. 



The Salsify. Middle and Southern Europe, Middle Asia. Biennial. 

 The root of this herb is well known as a useful culinary vegetable. 



Trapa bicornis, Linne fil.* 



The Leiig or Ling or Links of China. The nuts of this water-plant 

 are extensively brought to market in that country. The horns of 

 the fruit are blunt. The kernel, like that of the two following 

 species, is of an excellent taste. The plant is regularly cultivated 

 in lakes and ponds of China. 



Trapa bispinosa, Roxburgh.* 



Middle and South Asia, where it is called "Singhara," extending to 

 Ceylon and J apan ; found also in Africa as far south as the Zambezi. 

 The nuts are often worked into starch. They can be converted into 

 most palatable cakes or porridge. They may be stored for food. 

 The produce is copious and cheaply maintained by spontaneous 

 redissemination. It lasts through several years. In some countries, 

 for instance in Cashmere, the nuts form an important staple of food 

 to the population. To this species probably belong T. Cochin 

 Chinensis (Lour.) and T. incisa (Sieb. and Zucc.). 



Trapa natans, Linne.* 



The ordinary "Waternut. Middle and South Europe, Middle Asia, 

 North and Central Africa. Recorded as an annual. T. quadri- 

 spinosa (Roxb.), from Sylhet, is an allied plant. 



Trichodesma Zeylanicum, Brown. 



From Abyssinia and South Asia to extra-tropical Australia. An 

 annual herb, perhaps available for green manure. The dromedaries 

 show an extraordinary predilection for this herb (Giles). Several 

 other species deserve trial for fodder. 



Tricholsena rosea, Nees. 



South Africa. This perennial grass promises to become valuable 

 for desert country, together with T. Teneriffse and other congeners. 



Trifolium agrarium, Linne. 



The perennial Yellow Clover or Hop Clover. All Europe, Western 

 Asia. Of considerable value in sandy soil as a fodder-herb. It is 

 easily naturalised. 



