406 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Fig. 186. Rubber-Tree (Castilloa elastica). Staminate flowering branch, 

 mercial rubber tree of Central America. (After Faguet.) 



A com- 



yan trees (P. Benghalensis, P. religiosa and P. altissima) of the East Indies 

 furnish shellac. \ The mulberry (Morus nigra} is largely cultivated both for its 

 fruit and for its wood, the latter being very durable for posts. The white 

 mulberry (M. alba} is extensively planted, the leaves being used as food for 

 the silk worm. The Osage orange (Madura pomiferd) of Arkansas, Indian 

 Territory and Texas produces a very durable wood used for posts and pulley 

 blocks. The fruit is said to be poisonous. The wood of fustic (M. tinctoria) 

 of the West Indies is used for many purposes. The bark of the paper mul- 

 berry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is made into paper, and in Japan is also made 

 into cloth. The paper mulberry is cultivated in the South. 



The Upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria) contains antiar'm C 27 H 42 O 10 +H 2 O. 

 This tree furnishes an arrow poison which the natives prepare from the plant. 

 It is a semi-liquid greenish black substance. The poison acts on the brain and 

 respiratory nerves, causing vomiting and loss of sensation. 



Ramie grass cloth or China grass (Boehmeria nivea} produces a fine fibre 

 but it is difficult to separate it from the bark and wood. The hop (Humulus 

 Lupulus) is cultivated and is the source of the oil of hops which imparts an aro- 

 matic, bitter flavor to beer. It contains lupulin which is a tonic and slightly nar- 

 cotic. The elms are commonly cultivated as shade trees. The best is the American 



