List of the Plants of Chile. 251 



most use is made, is to me as yet quite uncertain, having only seen 

 some stalks of it which were without leaves and fructification. It 

 serves as an aliment, and when well prepared is not a disagreeable 

 dish. 



J\Iadia sativa. Molina. Melosa. It is found every where both in 

 cultivated and uncultivated situations. A variety is found upon the 

 arid highlands which might be separated from the soil but it would 

 first be necessary to ascertain whether its characters are not changed 

 by cultivation. Molina recommends this plant strongly on account 

 of the quantity and quality of the oil produced from its seeds. Nev- 

 ertheless it is at present neglected and looked on as a weed. 



JMalesherbia paniculata. Don. Common in the stony and arid 

 situations both on the highlands and in the plains, in Santiago, Ran- 

 cagua, and S. Fernando. Its numerous violet flowers recommend 

 it for cultivation. De Candolle is mistaken in attributing yellow 

 flowers to this genus; I have always seen them of the color named 

 above, or rose or white. The Gynopleura dentata and laciniata, 

 Miers, are in my opinion only varieties of the same species the 

 leaves of which present many anomalies, and sometimes even in the 

 same individual. I possess another species which appears to differ 

 from the M. thyrsiflora, Ruiz and Pavon, in its leaves, which are 

 constantly entire. In other respects they are similar. It grows in 

 the stony situations in the highlands and particularly in the vicinity of 

 the copper mines of Porpaico. Its flowers are small and white. I 

 am indebted for it to Claudius Gay, Professor of Physics and Chem- 

 istry in the college of Santiago. This gentleman has very kindly in- 

 formed me of other plants which I have not yet met with. 



Malva. L. The most common species met with in the country 

 resembles the M. Brasiliensis, Desrouss. It grows every where: 

 its stalk is generally prostrate ; sometimes erect. Its common name 

 is Malva. The M. prostrata, Cav. pilapila, grows in fields and 

 on the margins of drains. Its flowers are of a bright red. The 

 M. Caroliniana, L. Malvaloca, is not uncommon in the plains and 

 near roads. Its figured leaves {hojas recortadas) and large sky-blue 

 flowers, disposed in clusters, render it agreeable to the eye. The 

 M. umhellata, Cav. Malvavizco, is frequent in gardens and likewise 

 on the sides of roads, near Quinta and Santiago. If it is not new I 

 think it is the M. leprosa, Ortega. The first is most used. It is 

 employed in cataplasms. The decoction of its roots and leaves and 

 the infusion of its flowers are prescribed in many diseases. Vir- 



