DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 365 



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

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

 skimming 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: 



Ricinus communis L. Sp. PI. 2: 1007. 1753. 

 Rima (Guam, Philippines) . See Artocarpus communis. 

 Ringworm bush. See Flerpetica alata. 

 Rosa de Francia (Philippines) . 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, Rosa damascena and R. indica, 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 indica is a con- 

 stant bloomer. Plants raised by me from cuttings and kept 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 Rosaceae. 



Rose-mallow, changeable. See Hibiscus mutabilis. 

 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, Artocarpus communis, the fertile variety of which, called "dugdug," 

 grows to an enormous size in the forests of Guam, and the fago ( Ochrosia mariannensis] , 

 a medium-sized tree belonging 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 been 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 important 

 dyestuff, Cormigonus mariannensis, a small tree with large white flowers, Psychotria 

 mariana, and Carinta herbacea, a low, creeping forest plant, having white flowers and 

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

 Ruellia fragrans. Same as Ambulia fragrans. 



Ruppia maritima. SEA-GRASS. 



Family Potamogetonaceae. 



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

 branched, submerged; 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. 



