254 SELECT PLANTS TOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Pogostemon Patchouli, Pellet. 



Mountains of India. A perennial herb, famed for its power- 

 ful scent arising from a volatile oil. P. parviflorus (Benth.) 

 and P. Heyneanus (Benth.) belong to this species. 



Polianthes tuberosa, Linne. 



Mexico. The Tuberose. Seemingly introduced only into South 

 Asia j valuable for perfume distillation. 



Polygala crotalaroides, Hamilton. 



Temperate Himalaya. Praised as an ophidian alexipharmic. 

 To several other species both of the eastern and western 

 hemispheres similar properties are ascribed, but we are almost 

 entirely without anj reliable medical testimony on these and 

 many other supposed vegetable antidotes against snake-poison. 



Polygala Senega, Linne. 



North America. A perennial herb. The root is of medicinal 

 value. 



Polygaster Sampadarius, Pries. 



South-Eastern Asia. One of the most palatable of all truffles. 



Polygonum tinctorium, Loureiro. 



Japan and China. An annual herb, deserving attention and 

 local trials, as yielding a kind of indigo. Its growth would 

 be vigorous. Various Polygonums contain tannin,. P. amphi- 

 bium as much as Hi per cent. (Gard. Chron.). 



Polyporus giganteus. Fries. 



Dr. Goeppert records this and also the following species as 

 allowed to be sold for food in Silesia : P. frondosus (Fr.) , P. 

 ovinus (Fr.), P. tuberaster (Fr.), P. citrinus (Pers.). Dr. 

 Atkinson mentions as edible among the fungi of Cashmere P. 

 fomentarius and P. squamosus. 



Populus alba, Linne. 



The Abele or White Poplar of Europe and Middle Asia, 

 growing in the Himalayas up to 10,000 feet, ceasing at 4,000 

 feet. Height 90 feet. It proved an excellent avenue- 

 tree, even in comparatively waterless situations, and gives 

 by the partial whiteness of its foliage a pleasing effect in 

 any plantation. The wood is pale, with a reddish tinge, brown 

 near the centre, soft and light. It can be used for flooring ; 

 it is particularly sought for trays, bowls, bellows, and shoe-soles ; 



