SOUARI 0¥ ECOi^rOMIC PLANTS. 385 



Sophora (Sophora japo^iica), a branclied roimd-lieaded tree, 

 attaining a height of 40 feet, having winged leaves of a light-green 

 colour. It belongs to the Bean family (Legnniinosae), and is a 

 native of China and Japan, where its white papilionaceous flowers 

 are used for dyeing both yellow and green. In Fokien and 

 other provinces it is cultivated for its flowers, Avhich form an 

 important article of trade in the country. A purgative property 

 pervades the whole of the tree, even affecting, it is said, those who 

 prune it, or work with the wood. It is an ornamental tree in this 

 country, but not common. It was introduced in 1763 ; there are 

 several specimens in Kew Gardens more than a hundred years old. 



Sorrel, Common {Pumux Acetosa), French (R smtatus), 

 perennial herbs of the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae), the first 

 native of this country and the second of Switzerland. Cultivated 

 in gardens for their leaves, which are acid, and used as culinary 

 herbs. In Scotland the Common Sorrel is called Souroks. 



Sorrel Tree. (See Andromeda.) 



Sorrel, Wood {Oxahs Acetosella), a small perennial herb of 

 the Oxalis family (Oxalidacess), native ot Britain, growing wild 

 in woods. The leaves, which are trifoliate, are sometimes used 

 in salads, to which they impart a pleasant acid. It is one 

 of the plants supposed to he the Shamrock of Ireland. Its 

 medicinal properties led it to he worthy of a place in the London 

 Pharmacopceia, but it has now fallen into disuse. 



Souari Nut, also known as Butter-Nut {Oaryocar nuciferum), 

 a tree of the family Rhizobolacese. It is a native of British 

 Guiana, and attains a height of 80 to 100 feet, having large 

 broad trifoliate leaves. Its flowers are large and spreading, and 

 contain a large number of stamens. The fruit is spherical, firm, 

 measuring 5 to 6 inches in diameter, and of a reddish-brown 

 colour. It contains four, or by abortion generally fewer seeds, 

 which lie embedded in a white pulp. They are round, sub-reni- 

 form, and flattened. The shell is hard, of a brown colour, and 

 covered with tubercles ; it contains a nutty, oily kernel, which is 

 pleasant to eat, and is frequently imported into this country under 

 the above name. G. hutyrostom is a tree similar to the last, but 



