CUENOPODIA LMS. 



49j 



is cultivated as an ornaiueatal climber under the name of Madeira 

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

 used in Peru as substitutes for the potato. 



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

 flowers have an herbaceous perianth. About 500 species, distributed 

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



Beta i>ulgaris, the Common fieet, is a native of Southern Europe. 

 The Sugar Beet and Miinjiel Wiirzel are only varieties of the Common 

 Beet; the first is extensively cttltivated in France f(jr the sugar which 



PlQS. 406-10.— ILLDBTBATIOHS OF BeTA VULGARIS. 



Pig. 408. 



Fig. 406.— Flower. Magnified. 



Fig. 408. — Section of flower. Magnified. 



Fig. 410. — Seed. Magnified. 



Fig. 410. 



Pig. 407.— Diagram of flower. 

 Pig. 409.— Three fruits. Magnified. 



ia obtained from its sweet juice ; its cultivation in tliis country is yet 

 in its infancy. 



Ohenopodium Quinoa, a Peruvian annual, is cultivated in Western 

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

 used as an article ot food. 



C. ambrosioides, Wormseed, from tropical America, used somewhat 

 in medicine, and other species of the genus, have l)ecome common weeds 

 in fields and gardens. 



Spinacia oUracea, Common Garden Spinach, is an Oriental plant 

 much cultivated as a pot herb. 



