350 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



agreeable and wholesome. When we consider the wild state of the 

 plants from which many of our important root-crops arose, this 

 Valeriana and several other plants, suggestively mentioned in these 

 pages, may well be admitted for trial culture. 



Valeriana officinalis, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, in swampy grass-land, with a 

 predilection for forests and river banks. This perennial herb would 

 do particularly well on higher mountains. It is the only one 

 among numerous congeners of Europe, Asia and America which is 

 drawn to a considerable extent into medicinal use. The root and 

 herb contain valerianic acid and a peculiar tannic acid ; the root 

 furnishes an essential oil, which again resolves itself into valerol 

 (70 per cent.), valeren, barneol, and valerianic acid. The order of 

 Valerianse is not represented by any native plant in Australia. 



Valerianella olitoria, Moench. 



Lamb's Lettuce. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia. 

 A fair and early Salad-plant. It is an annual plant, and has several 

 congeners in Europe and Asia. 



Vangueria infausta, Burchell. 



Africa, as far south as Natal and Caffraria. The fruit of this shrub 

 or small tree is medlar-like, but superior in taste. Worth test 

 cultivation with a view of improving the fruit. 



Veratrum album, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, extending eastward to Japan. It 

 delights particularly in Sub- Alpine localities. The root furnishes 

 veratrin, jervin and sabadillic acid. 



Veratrum viride, Aiton. 



Canada and United States of North America. A near relative 

 of the former plant. Its root has come recently into medicinal 

 use. 



Vicia Cracca, Linne. 



Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia, North America. 

 Perennial. Recommendable for naturalisation as a fodder plant in 

 sylvan and Alpine lands. It yields in shade a three times larger 

 return than in open places (Langethal). The cognate V. Cassubica 

 and V. biennis (Linne) serve also for field culture. 



Vicia Ervilia, Willdenow (Ervum Ervilia, L.) 



South Europe, North Africa, South- Western Asia. An annual 

 herb, praised as a valuable fodder plant on dry calcareous soil. 



