FIVE IMPORTANT AVILD-DUCK FOODS. 9 



var3dng length rise from tlio top of the stalk. From the same point 

 three rather long grass-like leaves project below the fruiting clusters. 

 Many members of the genus have a very similar appearance 

 and it is not expected that nonbotanical observers can distinguish 

 them. This is unnecessary, however, as tubers of the chufa for 



Fig. 8. — Soed-liearing and immature plants of the chufa. (Much reduced.) 



propagation may be obtained from most seedsmen. The tubers 

 of the chufa are formed at the ends of scale-coTered rootstocks. 

 The plant is extremely prolific, cultivated forms usually producing 

 100 tubers to the plant, and instances are known in which more than 

 600 tubers were ])roduced in one season from one tuber planted in 

 the spring. 



19610'^— IJull. 58-14 2 



