Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 267 



Iris Florentina, Linn<$. 



Countries around the Mediterranean Sea, The well-known "Orris- 

 root " is obtained from this species. Of the same geographic range 

 is Iris juncea (Poiret), the edible root of which is known by the 

 name of Zeloak among the Algerian natives [Symonds]. I. versi- 

 color (Linne) of Eastern North- America is there drawn into medicinal 

 use. J. Stocksii (Boissier) affords its roots as an esculent in Balu- 

 chistan [J. H. Lace]. I. reticulata (Bieberstein) and I. Bakeriana 

 (Foster) flower in midwinter, rejoicing in the frosts ; both have 

 fragrant flowers. I. alata (Lamarck) flowers also in midwinter and 

 is therefore a remarkable calendar-plant. Galanthus Elwesi (Hooker) 

 flowers still earlier than the ordinary snowdrop. The volatile odorous 

 principle of the Orris- or rather Iris-root is almost solid. 



Iris pabularia, Naudin. 



Central Asia. Rather extensively grown for fodder, on account 

 of its nutritive properties. It maintains its ground well when once 

 established. Probably adapted only for exceptional localities. The 

 active resinous principle of this is similar to that of Convolvulus 

 Scammonia [Spirgatis]. 



Isatis indigotica, Fortune. 



Northern China. Perennial, almost shrubby. Its use is similar to 

 that of the following plant. 



Isatis tinctoria, 



" Dyer's Woad." From the Mediterranean regions through part of 

 the Orient, apparently extending as far as Japan. In Norway it is 

 hardy to lat. 67 16' [Schuebeler]. A tall herb of two years' dura- 

 tion. The blue dye is obtained from the fermented leaves. Woad 

 succeeds best in rich limestone-ground. Contains luteolin. Many 

 other species of Isatis, mostly Asiatic, may perhaps produce dye with 

 equal advantage. Boissier enumerates twenty-eight kinds merely as 

 Oriental. 



Jacaranda miniosifolia, D. Don. (J. ovalifolia, R. Brown.) 



Brazil. This tree, with J. Braziliana and J. obtusifolia (Hum- 

 boldt), furnishes a beautiful and fragrant kind of Palixander- or 

 Palissandre-wood, and so do probably some other tropical American 

 species. This wood is bluish-red, traversed by blackish streaks. 

 J. miniosifolia is hardy at Port Phillip, soon recovering from the 

 injuries of our slight nocturnal frosts, and thus may perhaps be reared 

 with advantage in many of the warmer and moister regions of the 

 temperate zone, even if it were only for its ornamental grandeur. 

 Among Bignoniaceous plants may here also be mentioned Tecoma 



