I 



Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 125* 



clearing beer (Armstrong). Medicinally recommended in cases of 

 chronic diarrhoea and of inebriety ; might be tried also in diabetes. 



Colchicum autumnale, Linne. 



The Meadow- Saffron. Middle and Southern Europe, Western 

 Asia. The seeds and roots of this pretty bulbous-tuberous herb are 

 important for medicinal use. The plant has been introduced into 

 Australia by the writer with a view to its naturalisation on moist 

 meadows in our ranges. Active principle : colchicin. The plant 

 proves hardy in Norway to lat. 67 56' [Schuebeler]. 



Coleus Amboinicus, Loureiro. 



Southern Asia. An aromatic condiment-herb. 



Gollinsonia Canadensis, Linne. 



Eastern North- America. A perennial herb ; the root, known 

 vernacularly as " Stone-root," is of medicinal importance, particu- 

 larly as a sedative. A few other species occur in North- America. 



Colocasia CSCUlenta, Schott.* (C. antiquorum, Schott.) 



The Taro. This celebrated plant extends from Egypt through 

 Southern Asia to the South- Sea Islands, and is also indigenous in 

 the warmer parts of East-Australia. The stem-like, tuberous, 

 starchy roots lose their poisonous acridity by processes of boiling, 

 roasting or baking. It is the Kolkas of the Arabs and Egyptians, 

 and one of their most esteemed and abundant vegetables. Immense 

 quantities are harvested and kept during the winter. A splendid 

 starch is obtainable from the tubers of this and the following 

 species. The plant proves hardy as far south as Melbourne, and is 

 also cultivated in New Zealand. The tops of the tubers are replanted 

 for a new crop. Taro requires a rich, moist soil, and would grow 

 well on banks of livers. For scenic culture it is a very decorative 

 plant. Peronospora trichotoma (Massee) has caused vast destruction 

 on the crops of this tuber in the Antilles. 



Colocasia Indica, Kunth. (Alocasia Indica, Schott.) 



South-Asia, South-Sea Islands and Eastern Australia. Cultivated 

 for its stem and tubers on swamps or rivulets. This stately plant 

 will rise in favorable localities to a height of 12 feet, the edible 

 trunk attaining a considerable thickness, the leaves sometimes 

 measuring 3 feet in length. In using the stem and root for food, 

 great care is needed, to expel all acridity by some heating process, 

 Colocasia odora and C. macrorrhiza. seem varieties of this species. 

 Several other aroid plants deserve attention for test-culture 011 

 account of their edible roots, among them Cyrtosperma edule (See- 

 mann) from the Fiji-Islands. 



