56 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Australia. The Taro. The stem-like tuberous starchy roots 

 lose their acridity by the process of boiling, roasting or 

 baking. It is the Kolkas of the Ai-abs and Egyptians, to 

 them one of the most esteemed and abundant vegetables. 

 Immense quantities are harvested and kept during the 

 winter. The plant proved hardy in the Botanic Garden of 

 Melbourne. The tops of the tubers are replanted for a new 

 crop. Taro requires a rich moist soil and would gi'ow well 

 on banks of rivers. For scenic culture it is a very 

 decorative plant. Colocasia esculenta is a variety of this 

 species. 



Colocasia Indica, Kunth. (Alocasia Indica, Schott). 



South Asia, South Sea Islands and East Australia. Culti- 

 vated for its stem and tubers on swamps or rivulets. This 

 stately plant will rise in favourable localities to a height of 

 12 feet, the edible trunk attaining a considerable thickness, 

 the leaves sometimes measuring three feet in length. In 

 using the stem and root for food great care is needed to expel 

 by the heating process all acridity. Colocasia odora and C. 

 macrorrhiza seem varieties of this species. Several other 

 Aroid plants deserve attention for test-culture on account of 

 their edible roots, among them Cyi'tosperma edule, Seemann, 

 from the Fiji Islands. 



Combretum butyraceum, Caruel. 



The Butter-tree of Caffraria and other parts of South -East 

 Africa. The Caffirs call the fatty substance obtained from 

 this tree Chiquito. It is largely used by them as an admix- 

 ture to their food, and exported also. It contains about one 

 quarter Olein and three quarters Margarin. This butter- 

 like fat is extracted from the fruit, and is of an aromatic 

 flavour. The tree should be hardy in the warmer and milder 

 parts of Victoria. 



Conium maculatum, Linne. 



The Hemlock. Europe, North Africa, North and West 

 Asia. A biennial herb, important for medicinal purposes. 

 It should however not be allowed to stray from its planta- 

 tions, as it is apt to be confounded with culinary species of 

 Anthriscus, Chaerophyllum and Myrrhis, and may thus cause 

 as a most dangerous plant disastrous mistakes. Active prin- 

 ciples : Coniin, in the fruit also Conhydrin. 



Conopodium denudatum, Koch. 



Western Europe. The small tuberous roots of this herb, 

 when boiled or roasted, are available for food and known as 

 Earth Chestnuts. The plant is allied to Carum Bulbocasta- 

 num. 



