93 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Cynara Cardunculus, Linn^. 



The Cardoon. Mediterranean regions. A perennial herb. The 

 bleached leaf stalks serve as esculents. 



Cynara Scolymus, Linne. 



The Ai-tichoke. South Europe and North Africa. The recep- 

 tacles and the base of the flower-scales well known as a 

 vegetable. The plant is perennial and here merely mentioned 

 as entitled to extended culture in grouping this with other 

 stately plants. Several other species are worthy of cultivation. 

 The Italian Artichokes are much grown under olive trees to 

 utilise spare ground. 



Widely dispersed over the warmer parts of the globe^ thus as 

 indigenous reaching the northern parts of the colony of Victoria; 

 stretching also into Middle Europe and West England. Passes 

 under the names of Bermuda Grass^ Scutch Grass, Doorva 

 Grass. An important grass for covering bare, barren land, or 

 binding drift-sand, or keeping together the soil of abrupt 

 declivities, or consolidating earth banks against floods. It is 

 not without value as a pasture grass ; resists extreme drought, 

 and may become of great importance to many desert tracts. 

 The dispersion is best effected by the creeping rooting stems, 

 cut into short pieces ; each of these takes root readily. In 

 arable land this grass, when once established, cannot easily be 

 subdued. The stems and roots are used in Italy for preparing 

 there the Mellago graminis. Roxburgh abeady declared this 

 grass to be by far the most common and useful of India ; that 

 it flowers all the year, and that it forms three-fourths of the food 

 of the cows and horses there. Excellent also as a lawn grass. 



Cynosurus cristatus, Linne. 



The Crested Dog's-tail Grass. Europe, North Africa, West 

 Asia. A perennial grass, particularly valuable as withstand- 

 ing drought, the roots penetrating to considerable depth. 

 The stems can also be used for bonnet-plaiting. Though in- 

 ferior in value for hay, this grass is well adapted for permanent 

 pasture, as it forms dense tufts without suffocating other 

 grasses or fodder herbs. 



Cyperus corymbosus, Rottboell. 



India. This stately perennial species may be chosen to fringe 

 our lakes and ponds. It is extensively used for mats in 

 India. 



