286 CONDIMENTS AND SEASONING HERBS 



pods, produced chiefly in March and April, are very generally con- 

 sumed by the Natives, in an unripe state, as a curry vegetable. 



Hyssop. (Hyssopus officinalis. Labiatae ). An aromatic 

 dwarf shrub, cultivated in European gardens. The leaves are 

 sometimes used for flavouring, as well as in medicine. Propagated 

 by seed. Succeeds in light rich soil; not suited for low elevations, 

 but may be grown in the Hills. 



" Karapincha " S. ; u Karivempu " T. ; Curry-leaf . ( Murraya 

 Koenigii. Rutaceae ). A small tree of the Orange family, native 

 of Ceylon, and found chiefly in the dry region. It is familiar as 

 the Curry-leaf plant, the pungent aromatic leaves being a constant 

 ingredient in curries, mulligatawny, etc. It prefers light rich soil, 

 and with cultivation will thrive up to at least 2,000 feet in Ceylon. 

 Propagated from seed, which are in season in April. 



Lavender. (Laveiidula vera. Labiatae). A dwarf shrub, 

 native of South Europe, commonly grown for its pleasantly scen- 

 ted flowers, which are dried and put into wardrobes, etc. The 

 aromatic leaves are sometimes used as an ingredient in seasonings. 

 The plant is cultivated commercially for the highly-esteemed 

 perfume, Lavender-water, obtained by distillation of the flowers. 

 Lavender succeeds in the Hill gardens in India and Ceylon ; at 

 Nuwara-Eliya it flowers and seeds freely. Propagated from seeds 

 or cuttings 



Lemon-grass; ". Sayra" S. (Andropogon ci trains. 

 Gramineae ). The white fleshy heart of the leafy stalks of this well- 

 known fragrant grass ( cultivated for the Lemon-grass oil, obtained 

 from the leaves ) are very generally used by the Natives of Ceylon 

 for flavouring curries, being also sometimes used in pickles. The 

 stalks are commonly sold in the markets and bazaars at ^ cent each. 



Marigold, Pot. (Calendula offidnalis. Composite). An an- 

 nual of Southern Europe, commonly grown as an ornamental 

 flowering plant. Its flowers are edible, and on the Continent of 

 Europe are generally used for flavouring soups, etc. The plant is 

 commonly grown for its showy flowers, at medium and high ele- 

 vations. 



Marjorum, Sweet. ( Origanum Marjoraua. Labiatae ). A 

 biennial, native of Northern Africa, etc., cultivated in European 

 .gardens for its aromatic leaves, which are used both green and 

 dried for seasoning soups, etc. It is propagated by seed, and is- 

 adapted to cultivation in Hill gardens in the tropics. 



