Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 33 



Alpinia G-alanga, Willdenow. (Hellenia Galanga, F. v. Mueller.) 



China. Probably as hardy as the Ginger-plant. From this 

 Alpinia, not from Zingiber, the candied roots known as Chinese 

 preserved ginger are obtained [Dyer's " Kew Bulletin," No. 49, 

 1891]. By the dictates of strict priority the generic name of 

 Alpinia should supersede that of Renealmia, as Plumier's and 

 Limie's genus rests entirely on a Central American plant, so that 

 the genus Heilenia may be restored for what later writers have 

 mainly called Alpinias. 



Alstonia constricta, F. v. Mueller. 



Warmer parts of East- Australia, particularly in the dry inland- 

 districts. The bark of this small tree is aromatic -bitter, and 

 regarded as valuable in 'ague, also as a general tonic. It is allied 

 to the Dita-bark of India and North-Eastern Australia, procured 

 from Alstonia scholaris (B. Brown). From its bark a peculiar 

 alkaloid, the Porphyrin of Hesse and some other chemical principles 

 can be prepared. The sap of all Alstonias should be tried for 

 caoutchouc, that of A. plumosa and another species yielding Fiji- 

 rubber [Hooker]. 



Alstroemeria pallida, Graham. 



Chili. Palatable starch can be obtained from the root of this 

 plant, which for its loveliness alone deserves a place in any garden. 

 The tubers of other of the numerous Alstrcemerias can doubtless 

 be practically utilised in a similar manner. 



Alstroemeria spectabilis, (Bomarea spectabitis, Schenk.) 



Brazil. The tuberous roots when roasted are edible [Dr. Theodor 

 Pockolt]. 



Althaea officinalis, Linne. 



The real " Marsh-Mallow." Europe, Northern Africa, Northern 

 and Middle Asia. Hardy to lat. 59 55' in Norway [Schuebeler]. 

 A tall perennial herb, with handsome flowers. The mucilaginous 

 root and also the foliage are used for medicinal purposes, the roots 

 chiefly as expectorant internally, the leaves as poultices externally. 

 The plant succeeds best on damp, somewhat saline soil. 



Amarantus Blitum, Linne. 



Southern Europe, Northern Africa, South- Western Asia. This 

 annual herb is a favorite plant amongst allied ones for spinage, but 

 not the only one used of this genus, as also many others quite as 

 well serve for culinary purposes. The dried plant contains 10 to 

 12 per cent, nitrate of potash. It arrives at maturity in two or 

 three months, producing on favorable soil about 4 tons per acre, 

 calculated to contain about 400 Ibs. saltpetre. ' A. cruentus L., A. 

 hypochondriacus L. and A. caudatus L. are cultivated in Ceylon, 



c 



