4S2 



DIOSCORE/E 



are several species, D. sativa and D. alata^ natives of India, and 

 D. BaldUis, native of China. Their tubers sometimes weigh 30 or 

 40 11>., and llie Cliinese species yields enormous crops in France 

 and Algeria, and is liardy u\ this country, but is not appreciated. 



I. Tami:s (1-ilack Bryony). — Periauth bell-shaped ; stig^inas 

 2-lobed ; hcrry few-seeded. (Name, the Classical Latin name of 

 the plant. I 



I. T. commiDiis (IJlaid-t Bryony). — The only British species, a 

 handsome plant with a large, black iuhi'r ; a slender, green stem, 

 twining among bushes to the length of* many feet, and bearing 

 numerous very glossy, cordate, acuminate leaves, which in autumn 

 turn to a purple bronze or to a bright lepV m yellow, and clusters of 

 small, green flowers, which are succeeded by oblong scarlet hemes. 

 The ])lant at that season is \-ery attractive ; but the stem dies down 

 to the gr. >und in winter. — liedgerows in England ; common. —Fl. 

 May, June. I'erennial. 



