DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 865 



husks, pounding it in a mortar, and removing the oil by absorbing it \\ ith a cloth 

 placed in the pulp and then squeezed into a pot, or by boiling the pulp in water and 

 skinuning off the oil. Oil prepared in this way is also used as a lubricant." The 

 seeds of commerce are sometimes confused with those of the physic nut, Jatropha 

 curcas 



References: 



lilciiiiin comminiis L. Sp. PI. 2: 1007. 175;^ 



Rima ((iuam, Philippines). See Artocnrpus communis. 



Ring'worm bush. See Herpelica alnta. 



Rosa de Francia (Philipi>ines). See Asclepias curassavica. 



Rosa de Japon (Spanish). See Chrysanthemum indicum. 



Rosa laurel ( Spanish) . See Nerium oleander. 



Rosaceae. Rose family. 



With the exception of two introduced roses, Rom. dnmascemt and B. itidica, culti- 

 vated in the gardens of the natives, this family is without representatives in Guam. 

 It is interesting to note that the rose-aphis and the rose-beetle, which infest roses in 

 so many countries, are thus far absent from Guam. The small Rosa Indiai, is a con- 

 stant bloomer. Plants raised by me from cuttings and kei)t in pots were seldom 

 out of bloom. They were, however, scarcely at all fragrant. The other species, 

 which grows to a height of 120 or 150 cm., having stout, rigid stems, is delightfully 

 fragrant and belongs to the same division as our magnificent "American Beauty." 



Rose. See under Rosnrcne. 



Rose-mallow, changeable. See Hibiscus mutahilis. 



Rose-mallow, scarlet. See Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. 



Rosewood, Polynesian. 



A name sometimes applied to Thespesia populnea, a common strand tree in Guam. 

 Rubber. 



Among the plants producing milky juice of the nature of rubber may be mentioned 

 the breadfruit, AHocat-piis rotnmiuiis, the fertile variety of which, called "dugdug," 

 grows to an enormous size in the forests of Guam, and thefago (Ochrosiamariannensis), 

 a medium-sized tree Ijelonging to the Apocynaceae, growing near the strand. The 

 latex of the breadfruit soon hardens on coming in contact with the air. From pre- 

 historic times it has l)een used by the natives for paying the seams of their canoes 

 and for stopping leaks in water troughs. For other uses see under Artocarpus com- 

 munis. 

 Rubiaceae. Madder family. 



Among the indigenous Rubiaceae are Morinda citrifolia, which yields an imi)ortant 

 dj'^estuff, Cormigonus mariannensis, a small tree with large white flowers, Psychotria 

 mariana, and ('arinta herbacea, a low, creeping forest plant, having white flowers and 

 red berries. Coffee has been introduced and grows in perfection. 



Ruellia fragrans. Same as AnibuUa fragrans. 



Ruppia maritima. Sea-grass. 



Family Potamogetonaceae. 

 A plant growing in brackish water, like fine, fibrous grass. The stem is filiform, 

 branched, sul)merged; leaves capillary, sheathing at the base; flowers 2 or several, 

 near the tip of the axillary peduncles; minute, naked, bisexual; stamens 2, of 2 

 anther-cells, distinct; varies 4 (3 to 6) at length stalked on a large carpophore; 

 embryo ovoid. 



References : 



Ruppia maritima L. Sp. PI. 1 : 127. 1753. 



«See Hicks, Oil-producing seeds, Yearbook U. S. Dept. Agr. 1895, p. 190. 



