118 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



to till cushions, mattresses, etc., constituting, in places, quite an article of com- 

 merce." (Am. Jour. Ph., Dec, 1890.) Also noted in the Botany of California, and 

 in Spon's Encyclopedia. 



Chom (Inc.). See Bromelia pinguin, 

 Chonta (Peru). See Mastinazia. 

 Chorda filum. See under Macrocystis. 

 Chorisia insignis. Samohu of Argentina. 



Exogeu. Sterculiacete. Small tree. 

 The genus includes a number of South American species, allied to Bombax or the 

 silk cottons. Like other better-known producers of vegetable silk or "downs,'' 

 they also yield in their bark a good fiber. The bast of this species is employed in 

 Argentina. It is known in Peru as Huimbaquiro ceibo, both the down or surface fiber 

 and the bast being employed, the latter for cordage. See also note on the species 

 under Bromelia scrra. 



Chorisia speciosa. 



This Brazilian species is mentioned in a brochure entitled Notes on Textile Plants 

 of Brazil, distributed at the Phil. Int. Exh., 1876. The down or vegetable silk is 

 stated to be excellent for winter mattresses and pillows. The tree is known in Bra- 

 zil as Arvore de Paina. The species is mentioned by Spon. ''This plant yields a 

 fiber of which textures are made which are so much like silk in their luster, fineness, 

 and pliableness to be scarcely distinguished from it" (Savorgnan). The tough bark 

 of C. crispiftora is also used in Brazil for making native cordage. 



Chouca (Antilles). See Agave vivipara. 

 Chrysopogon gryllus. 



Endogen. Graminece. A grass. 

 Abounds in southern France and northern Italy. Known in Italy as Barbone and 

 Pollinia. From the fibrous roots horse brushes and other coarse brushes, mats, etc., 

 are said to be made; also used for thatch material. Classed as a structural fiber. 



Chumese (Ind.). See Crotalaria juncea. 

 Chuncu (Peru). Caladium giganteum. 

 Churu, or Chord (Braz.). Couratari. 

 Chusan palm (Ind.). Trachycarpus fortunei. 

 Chu-ts-ao (China). Cannabis sativa. 

 Chrysopsis graminifolia. 



Exogen. Composite?. Perennial herb. 

 A Southern species found abundantly in the piney woods, particularly in "Wash- 

 ington and Tangipahoa parishes of Louisiana. Attention was called to its value 

 as a fiber plant by Mr. J. T. Blackwell, who wrote that the blade or leaf was the 

 source of fiber. He cultivated the plants in his garden and secured a growth of 

 three feet. Estimated yield of fiber, 150 pounds to the acre, which would uot pay 

 for cultivation, while the fiber itself is of doubtful value. 



Cibotium barometz. ) m _^ 



. .. > Tree Ferns. 

 menziesn. ) 



Syn. Diclsouia barometz and V. menzietii. 



A small genus ranging over Mexico and Central America, the Hawaiian and 

 Philippine Islands, Sumatra, southern China, and India. 





