124 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



it is not without utility, and undergoes some sort of cultiva-i 

 tion in China for yielding its edible roots and seeds. 



Euryangimn Sumbul, Kaufmann. 



Central Asia. Yields the true Sumbul root. 



Euterpe andicola, Brogniart. 



Bolivia. Ascends to 9,000 feet (Martius), an altitude higher 

 than is reached by any other Palm (Drude). 



Ezcsecaria sebifera, J. M. {StUUngia sebifem, Michaux.) 



The Tallow Tree of China and Japan. The fatty coating of 

 the seeds yields the vegetable tallowi The wood is so hard 

 and dense as to be used for printing -blocks ; the leaves furnish 

 a black dye. The tree endures slight night frosts, though its 

 foliage suffers. 



Fagopyrum cymosum, Meissner. 



The perennial Buck Wheat, or rather Beech Wheat, of the 

 ! Indian and Chinese highlands. Can be used with other species 

 for spinach and for obtaining from the leaves a blue dye. 



Pagopyrum emargfinatuuij Babington. 



Chinese and Himalayan Mountains, where it is cultivated for 

 its seeds. Annual. 



Fagopyrum esculentum, Moench. 



* Central Asia. The ordinary Buck Wheat. This annual herb 

 succeeds on the poorest soil. The crushed amylaceous seeds 

 can be converted by boiling or baking into a palatable and 

 wholesome food. As an agrarian plant it can with advantage 

 be raised as a first crop on sandy, not too dry, heath land, newly 

 broken up, for green manure. The period required for the 

 cyclus of its vegetation is extremely short ; thus it can be 

 even reared on Alpine elevations. 



Fagopyrum Tataricum, Moench. 



Middle and North Asia. Yields for the higher mountain 

 regions a still safer crop than the foregoing, otherwise the 

 remarks offered in reference to F. esculentum apply also to 

 F. Tataricum. 



Fagopyrum triangulare, Meissner. 



In the Himalayan Mountains, ascending naturally to regions 

 11,500 feet high. An annual. F. rotundatum, Babington, 



