60 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



horridus, L., according to Dr. Reinhold, are utilised in the same 

 manner, and all may probably yield an improved product by regular 

 and careful culture. 



Asparagus albus, Linn& 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea, also in the Canary 

 Islands. Serves for garden-hedges. 



Asparagus laricinus, Burchell. 



South- Africa. Dr. Pappe observes of this shrubby species, that 

 with some other kinds of that country it produces shoots of excellent 

 tenderness and aromatic taste. A. schoberioides is a native asparagus 

 of Japan. 



Asparagus officinalis, Linn<$.* 



Europe, North- Africa, West-Asia. The well-known Asparagus- 

 plant, which, if naturalised on any coast, would aid in binding the 

 sand. One of the few kitchen-plants which will thrive on somewhat 

 saline soil. The Asparagus-season can be prolonged by several 

 weeks through culture in highlands. Cultivated since ancient times. 

 Hardy in Norway to lat. 64 12' [Schuebeler]. The plant contains 

 Vanillin, the foliage inosit-sugar, the shoots yield asparagin. Sea- 

 weeds are a good additional material for forcing asparagus. Can for 

 culinary purposes even be grown in sub-tropical climes. The seeds 

 will keep five years or even longer. Important as a food to promote 

 renal secretions, also against dropsy, vesical torpidity, and even 

 various cutaneous affections. 



Asparagus plumosus, Baker. 



South Africa. This has lately become one of the most sought 

 plants for bouquets and vases. Much lauded by Regel. 



Asparagus tenuifolius, Lamarck. 



South-Europe and South- Western Asia. Foliage in great demand 

 for bouquets on account of its almost transparent "quivering sprays," 

 which keep fresh for days. 



Asperula odorata, Linnl. 



The " Woodruff.-" Europe, Western, and Northern Asia, Northern 

 Africa, there as in Southern Europe only on mountains, always a 

 forest-plant. Indigenous in Norway to lat. 66 59' [Schuebeler]. 

 A perennial herb with highly fragrant flowers ; it deserves natural- 

 isation in forests ; it contains much cumarin in its flowers, and serves 

 in Germany for preparing the "Maitrank." Therapeutically the 

 plant belongs to the Secretatories, and is a domestic remedy in 

 hydropic and some other affections. 



