160 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 
this purpose the crop is cut while in flower, dried, made into bundles, and soaked 
in water for fifteen to twenty days. It is then possible to wash out a strong, 
silky fiber known in commerce as Rozelle hemp, considered by some to be the 
equal of jute, although little or none is exported to Europe. The natives use it 
mostly for cordage and coarser textile purposes. The seeds are employed in vari- 
ous medicinal decoctions and compounds on account of supposed demulcent, diu- 
retic, and tonic properties, and the calices are also made into a refreshing acid 
drink for fever patients and convalescents. 
The calices and young capsules may be preserved by drying, and in this condi- 
tion are sometimes met with in tropical markets. The leavesare also an ingredient 
in certain dishes and the seeds are fed to cattle. Analyses show considerable 
quantities of tartaric and malic acid, but no citric, and the Jamaica sorrel thus 
supplements the lime in the direction of the qualities of our temperate fruits. 
It is becoming increasingly popular with the people of Florida, and is now com- 
monly cultivated in the southern part of that State. Americans in Porto Rico 
would do well to become acquainted with it. The species has been reported by 
Bello with the above native name as growing in country districts in the western 
part of the island, but is probably to be found occasione lly elsewhere. Also called 
‘‘aleluya roja de Guinea” and *‘agrio de Guinea.”’ 
Hibiscus schizopetalus. Lira. PLATE XL. 
A shrub 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2.5 meters) high, of very slender trailing habit; culti- 
vated for its very peculiar pink flowers. The petals are split into a fringe of 
narrow divisions and the stamen tube and style are extremely long. 
Hibiscus tiliaceus. See Paritium tiliaceum. 
Hibiscus tomentosus. MALVAVISCO AFELPADO. 
An herbaceous, woody annual; grows in swamps between Cataio and Palo 
Seco; 1 to 2 meters high. (Stahl, 2: 92.) 
Hicaco. See Chrysobalanus icaco. 
Hicaquillo. See Dendropremon caribaeus and Loranthus americanus. 
Hicaquillo del combron. See Dendropremon bicolor. 
Hierba. See Yerba. 
Hieronymia alchornoides. 
An euphorbiaceous tree, reported from Sierra de Lares. 
Higo. See Ficus carica. ; 
Higrofila de Puerto Rico. See Hygrophila portoricensis. 


Higtiera. See Crescentia cujete. 
Hansard gives this wood a specific gravity of 0.51 and doubtfully refers it to the 
fig tree. 
Higtierilla. See Crescentia cucurbitina. 
Higuerillo. See Vitex divaricata. 
A tree from all parts of theisland; height, 25 to 30 feet; diameter, 10 to 12 inches. 
Wood ash-colored, hard; specific gravity 0.805; used for cabinet work. (Exp. 
1857.) 
Captain Hansard gives 0.61 as the specific gravity of this wood. 
Said by Grosourdy (2: 390) to break with a vertical fracture, and to be used 
for shelves, boards, framework of houses, etc. : 
Higuereta cimarrona. See Jatropha gossypifolia. 
Higtierito. See Crescentia microcarpa. 
Higtierito de Sierra. See Schlegelia axillaris and Schlegelia brachyantha 
portoricensis. 
