230 PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



Coca (Erythroxylon coca). The leaves of this South American shrub 

 are universally chewed by the Indian men and women, because they have 

 stimulating effect and prevent tissue waste. 



Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The large leaves of this American 

 plant are cured and made into cigars, cigarettes, chewing and smoking 

 tobacco. 



Manila Hemp (Musa textilis). The leaf fibers of this species of banana 

 are made into Manila hemp one of the chief exports from the Philippine 

 islands. 



Pita (Agave americana). The maguey grows on the plateaus of Mexi- 

 co, and its leaves yield the valuable Pita fiber. 



Sisal (Agave sisalana and Agave rigida var. sisalana). The sisal fiber 

 is exported in large quantities from Yucatan in Mexico. 



New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax). The plant which yields this 

 fiber grows wild in New Zealand and neighboring islands where it was used 

 by the native Maoris. 



Bowstring Hemp (Sansevieria cylindrica) .- The natives of South 

 Africa, where this plant grows, make their bowstrings from the leaf fibers. 



Medicinal Leaves.- The following are some of the important medicinal 

 leaves: rosmary, thyme, eucalyptus, senna, coca, belladonna, digitalis, 

 buchu, and aconite. 



FLOWER CROPS 



Cauliflower, Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). These are 

 types of cabbage plant in which there is a large head composed of abortive 

 flowers upon very much modified, thickened flower stems (Fig. 98). 



Artichoke (Cynara scolymus). The fleshy involucral bracts and the 

 fleshy receptacle of the heads of this compositous plant are used as a 

 vegetable. 



Yeh-peh-ho (Lilium Sargentice). The flowers of this lily are eaten 

 in China after being boiled, diied in the sun, minced, fried with salt and oil 

 eaten in the same way as preserved cabbage. 



Huang-hua-ts'ai (H. enter ocallis flava.} The flowers of the yellow day 

 lily are eaten by the Chinese. 



Flowers for Perfume. In the provinces of southern France as at 

 Grasse, flowers are raised commercially for the manufacture of the various 

 extracts and perfumes in universal demand by civilized men. The flowers 

 of roses, violets, jasmine and orange are so used. 



