CHENOPODIALBS. 



495 



is cultivated as an ornamental climber under the name of Madeira 

 Vine. The starchy tubers of another species, Uducus tuberosus, are 

 used in Peru as substitutes for the potato. 



Order Chenopodiacese. — Herbs, shrubs, or rarely trees, whose 

 flowers have an herbaceous perianth. About 500 species, distributed 

 in all climates, are known. (Figs. 406-11.) 



Seta vulgam, the Common Beet, is a native of Southern Europe. 

 The Sugar Beet and Mangel Wurzel are only varieties of the Common 

 Beet ; the first is extensively cultivated in Prance for the sugar which 



FiQS. 406-10.— IHinsTRATioNs OP Beta tulgabis. 



Pig. 408. 



Fig. 406.— Flower. Mngnifled. 



Fig. 408.— Section of flower. Magnified. 



Fig. 410.— Seed. Magnified. 



Fig. 410. 



Fig. 407. — Diagram of flower. 

 Fig. 409.— Three fruits. Magnified. 



is obtained from its sweet juice ; its cultivation in this country is yet 

 in its infancy. 



Ghenopodium Quinoa, a Peruvian annual, is cultivated in Western 

 South America for its nutritious seeds, which are ground into meal, and 

 used as an article of food. 



C anibrosioides, Wormseed, from tropical America, used somewhat 

 in medicine, and other species of the genus, have become common weeds 

 in fields and gardens. 



Spinaeia olerar.ea, Common Garden Spinach, is an Oriental plant 

 mucli cultivated as a pot herb. 



