Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 341 



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



China and Japan. Whangee- Bamboo, reaching 25 feet in height- 

 The stems nearly solid and becoming black. Has withstood severe 

 frost in the south of France and at Vienna. Known to have grown 

 16 feet in six weeks. Bamboo-chairs and various utensils made 

 of this species. As many as 600,000 walking'-sticks of this plant 

 have lately been imported into England in one year. The total of 

 Bamboo-sticks exported from China and Japan in one year has 

 latterly amounted to 5 millions. A Japanese species of this bam- 

 busaceous genus proved hardy in Scotland. P. viridi-glaucescens 

 and P. aurea are perfectly hardy in England [Munro] ; the latter 

 withstood the severest winters of Edinburgh, with F. [Gorlie]. 



Phymaspermum par vifolium, Bentham. ( Adenachcena parvifolia, 

 De Candolle.) 



South-Africa. A dwarf, somewhat shrubby plant, fit to be 

 naturalised on mere sandy ground. Praised by Professor McOwan 

 as equal in value to Pentzia virgata for sheep-pastures. 



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. Ripening in Norway to lat. 63 

 26 ; [Schuebeler]. 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 ang-ulata, Linne. 



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

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

 herb. The berries yellowish, edible. P. minima, L (P. parviflora, 

 R. Br.), is closely allied, and extends into tropical Australia. 



Physalis Peruviana, Linne.* 



Temperate and tropical America, widely naturalised 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 for table-fruit as for preserves. Doubtless several 

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

 colder countries the P. Peruviana becomes annual. Seeds will 

 keep for eight years. [Vilmorin]. 



Physalis pubescens, Linne. 



Warmer regions of North- and South-America. Though annual, 

 worth cultivation on account of its acidulous fruits, called the 

 Gooseberry-Tomato or inaptly Barbadoes-Gooseberry, under 

 which name also the very similar P. Barbadensis (Jacquin) is 

 comprised. 



