

XXV,—BROOM ROOT OR MEXICAN WHISK, 
(Epicampes macroura, Benth,) 
In the Report of Her Majesty’s Consul at Vera Cruz for the year 
1886, Mr. Baker draws attention to a comparatively new industry 
connected with the preparation and export of what is called “ Broom 
Root.” 
This root was exported from the port of Vera Cruz last year to the 
aggregate value of 58,6327. The bulk appears to have been shipped to 
Germany and France, while the quantity shipped to England was 
comparatively small. e Curator of the Museum [ Gardeners’ 
Chronicle, Vol. II. (third series), p. 104] has established the fact 
that the broom root exported from Vera Cruzs is known in Europe 
as Mexican or French Whisk. It is used by the Germans and 
the plant yielding the so-called broom root is a grass whose local name 
is Zacaton. is is @ plant with coarse tufted leaves, found widely 
distributed over the highlands of Mexico, and attaining a height of six 
or seven feet. ‘The roots, in the condition in which they are exported 
foot long, possessing a Wavy character, and about one-sixteenth of an 
inch in diameter. They have evidently undergone some cleansing and 
bleaching process which gives them a bright appearance and a pale 
yellow colour. 
Among the specimens sent by Mr. Baker to Kew there were two 
b 
t 
determined without flowers. ‘There can be little doubt, therefore, that 
the broom root is derived from one or more species of grasses belonging 
to the genus Epicampes. 
Sereno Watson, Botany of California, Vol. IL, p. 277, mentions the 
this i ] 
rigid, wiry grass, of a pale yellowish green colour, growing in sub- 
alkaline localities and apparently in tufts. The rigid stems are used 
by the Indians for making baskets. 

