344 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDDSTRIAL CULTURE 



reliable notes on the tropical species are extant, as far as the 

 fruits are concerned. 



Vahea florida, F. v. Mueller. (^LandolpUafloriia, Bentham.) 



West Africa, up to 3,500 feet. This may prove hardy. Wel- 

 witsch describes the Aboh fruits of this species as sweet and 

 acidulous, but was not less gratified with the beauty and mar- 

 vellous abundance of its large snow-white and jasmin-scented 

 flowers. V. florida yields also caoutchouc, and so V. Heudelotii 

 {Landolfhia Heudelotii, Cand.) from the Senegal regions. The 

 excellent work on caoutchoucs of commerce, by James Collins, 

 may be consulted as regards the sources of various kinds of 

 Indian rubbers. The genus Vahea was f uUy established by 

 Lamarck so early as 1791. 



Vahea Owariensis, F. v. Mueller. {Landol^Ua Owariensis, Beau- 

 vois.) 

 Tropical West Africa, but ascending to the highlands of Angola, 

 according to Dr. Welwitsch. This climber, with several other 

 Vaheas, yields the West African and Madagascar caoutchouc. 

 V. Owariensis produces edible fruits of the middle-sized orange, 

 with sweet and slightly acid pulp. 



Valeriana Geltica, Linu^. 



Alps of Europe. The root of this perennial herb is particularly 

 aromatic. 



Valeriana edulis, NuttalL 



North- Western America, from Oregon to the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. The thick spindle-shaped root of this herb affords food 

 to the natives of that part of the globe. When baked, the root 

 proves agreeable and wholesome. When we consider the wild 

 state of the plants from which many of our important root- 

 crops arose, this Valeriana and several other plants, sug- 

 gestively mentioned in these pages, may well be admitted for 

 trial culture. 



Valeriana officinalis, Linn^. 



Europe, TJorth and Middle Asia, in swampy grass-land, with a 

 predilection for forests and river banks. This perennial herb 

 would do particularly well on higher mountains. It is the only 

 one among numerous congeners of Europe, Asia, and America 

 which is drawn to a considerable extent into medicinal use. 

 The root and herb contain valerianic acid and a peculiar tannic 

 acid ; the root furnishes an essential oil, which again resolves 



