120 A few of the Useful Plants of Northern Japan. [February, 



are particularly abundant, and at the time of blossoming, the 

 fields, for miles along the road on either side, are an almost uni- 

 form golden yellow. At such a time the Aino women may be 

 seen busily engaged gathering the flowers which they take 

 home and dry, or pickle in salt. They are afterwards used in 

 soups. I have been told that the Japanese make a similar use of 

 them, but probably only to a very limited extent. 



In the Pitasites japonicus Miq., or fuki, both Japanese and Aino 

 find an article of food which they seem to hold in high esteem. 

 During early summer, the leaves make a very rank growth, often 

 reaching a height of three feet. While in the early stages of 

 growth, the petioles are succulent and crisp, and are largely used 

 in soups. They are devoid of flavor and it is difficult to conceive 

 what quality they possess which should recommend them as an 

 article of food. The fact remains, however, that they are not only 

 collected from the woods, but the plants have even been brought 

 into cultivation expressly for their succulent petioles. The fuki 

 is common everywhere in Yesso, being abundant not only in 

 the villages, but it is found to extend well up the mountain slopes 

 and frequently occurs at an elevation of 3000 feet. 



Not less interesting is the similar use which the Japanese make 

 of the bur-dock root. Lappa major Gaert., which attains great 

 length under cultivation, but as an article of food is tasteless, 

 hard and fibrous. 



The horned fruits of the Trapa bispinosa Roxb., var. incisa, 

 which is common in all the large ponds, are largely used by the 

 Aino, and to some extent by the Japanese, for food. 



Turning our attention to those plants which yield something 

 of more evident value, we find in t a, or kokuwa, 



a vine which gives promise of being a valuable acquisition to our 

 New England flora. The vine is common in all the valleys of 

 Yesso, and extends southward to Central Niphon. Vigorous 

 in growth and fruiting abundantly, it can be trained like a grape- 

 vine. The fruit is an oblong, greenish berry about one inch in 

 length. The pulp is of uniform texture, seeds minute and skin 

 thin. When fully ripe they possess a very delicate flavor. Aside 

 from its fruit, the plant is of value as an ornamental vine, on 

 account of its fine foliage. A somewhat less desirable plant is 

 found in its congener, A. polygama, which grows in more elevated 

 places, fruits less abundantly and is not so rich in foliage. 



