252 



USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



for thatching, basketry, matting, and brooms; I do not know that the separated 

 fiber lias ever been examined" (Dr. Havard). In the Department collection the genus 

 is represented by a single species, X microcarpa, the leaves being very slender and 

 fibrous. 



Nona (Beng.). See Anona reticulata. 



Oadal (Ind.). See Sterculia villosa. 



Ochroma lagopus. Corkwood Tree. 



Exogen. StercuJiaceo-. Tree, 40 feet. 

 West Indies, Central and South America. Is known as Balsa in Spanish-speaking 

 countries. The soft, spongy wood of this species is used in Jamaica as a substitute 



for corks, and as floats for fish- 

 ing nets. 



Surface Fiber.— The fruit, 

 or seed pod, which is about a 

 foot in length, contains a vege- 

 table silk, or silk cotton, that 

 may be used in stuffing pil- 

 lows and the like. Five speci- 

 mens of this substance were 

 exhibited in the Venezuelan 

 and Costa Rican courts, W. C. 

 E., 1893. The fiber is an ocher 

 red in color, is very coarse and 

 of little strength, though it 

 might, if easily obtained, be 

 useful for mattings and cord- 

 age requiring little strain. 



Ocimum basilicum. 

 Sweet Basil. 



A common herb of India, 

 grown for its seeds. "It is cul- 

 tivated to a small extent in the 

 western portion of the Hoo^hly 

 district on account of the strong 

 fiber it yields for rope mak- 

 ing." (Spon.) Doubted by Dr. 

 Watt. 



Ocotea sieberi. 



A genus of Lauraceo . chiefly 

 large trees inhabiting tropical 

 America. This species, former- 

 ly Orcodaplme cernua, is found in Mexico and portions of South America. In Trini- 

 dad it is known as J>ois ceip. "The liber is very strong, stands water well, and 

 would be good for twine making. A tree will produce 2 to 3 pounds of liber 1 to ti 

 feet long/' (St. Hill.) 



Odina wodier. 



A species of Anacardiacece, a tree 40 to 50 feet, which grows in the hotter portions 

 of India. The bark yields a coarse cordage liber. 

 * Specimen. — Bot. Mus. Ifarv. Univ. 



^m^ 



Fig. 86.— The Baccaba, (Enocarpus bacaba. 



Oelta kamal (Ind.). See Abroma augusta. 



