List of the Plants of Chile. 85 



Gymnostyles Chilensis. Spr. A small plant very common, in the 

 spring, in pastures, on the highlands, and along roads on the plain. 



Hedyotis Virginica. Sp4-. In the sandy pastures along the edges 

 of torrents in Taguatagua. A pretty plant with dull blue flowers. 

 They are very small and do not claim attention. 



Melianthus annuus. L. A plant from Peru and Mexico, culti- 

 vated in gardens and which many csWfior del sol. Various authors 

 state that the whole plant offers important advantages, particularly the 

 seed; they yield oil in abundance. On this account it ought to be 

 cultivated largely. It would also be well to introduce into the coun- 

 try the H. tuberosus, L., native of Brazil ; its tubercles, known in 

 France under the names of alcachofes de Jerusalem or topinambours, 

 are alimentary. Hogs are fond of them and fatten on their use. 



Heliotropium Chilense. Bertero. I have seen this beautiful plant 

 on the sides of the roads, in sandy places surrounding the lake of 

 Aculeo. It approaches the H. filifo7-me, Humb., though it differs 

 from it considerably. It is strange that the H. Peruvianum, L., is 

 almost unknown in this country. The sweet smell of its flowers 

 which is so much like that of the J^ainilla, secures for it a conspicu- 

 ous place in gardens, where it might be easily cultivated in beds, 

 without any necessity for flower pots. 



Hemimeris Vrticifolia. W. Found in woods, and principally on 

 heights and in exposed situations. I do not know whether it has 

 any vulgar name. It should be cultivated — its flesh-colored and 

 numerous flowers recommend it. 



Heradeum tuberosum. Molina. The species described by this 

 author is in my opinion doubtful ; at least, it does not in any particu- 

 lar resemble that v/hich I have met and which is very common in 

 the pastures of Leona and the Punta de Cortes. The plant of Mo- 

 Una is similar (according to Willdenow) to the PL Sphondylium, L., 

 while mine closely resembles the Sium Bulbocastanum, Spr., with 

 the difference that the fruit is alate, the tubercles almost round, of 

 the size of a nut, blackish outside and white in the interior, and of an 

 agreeable taste. They are much sought by the guanque or cururu, 

 a small animal similar to the Mus cyaneus, Molina, which fills the 

 subterraneous cavities which it makes, with these tubercles and lives 

 on them during the winter. 



Ilimantia. Pers. A small moss which grows on ro!tcn wood. 

 It resembles the H. phiniGsa, Schumacher. 



