182 SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Podachaenium alatum, Bentham. (Ferdinanda eminenSf 

 Lagasca.) 



Central America, up to heights of 8000 feet. A tall, shrub, 

 for the grandeur of its foliage in requisition for scenic effects. 



Podophyllum peltatum, Linne.* 



North America. A perennial forest-herb, not without im- 

 portance for medicinal purposes. The root contains the 

 bitter alkaloid Berberin. Podophyllum Emodi (Wall.), oc- 

 curring in the Indian mountains at a height from 6000 to 

 14,000 feet, can probably be used like the American species. 

 The berries of both are edible, though the root and leaves are 

 poisonous. 



Pogostemon Patchouli, Pellet. 



Mountains of India. A perennial herb, famed for its power- 

 ful scent arising from a volatile oil. P. parviflorus (Benth.) 

 and P. Heyneanus (Benth.) belong to this species. 



Polygala crotalaroides, Hamilton. 



Temperate Himalaya. Praised as an ophidian alexiphannic. 

 To several other species both of the eastern and western 

 hemispheres similar properties are ascribed, but we are 

 almost entii'ely without any reliable medical testimony on 

 these and many other vegetable antidotes against snake- 

 poison. 



Polygala Senega, Linne. 



North America. A perennial herb. The root is of 

 medicinal value. 



Polygaster Sampadarius, Fries. 



South- Eastern Asia. One of the most palatable of all 

 truffles. 



Polygonum tinctorium, Loureiro. 



Japan and China. An annual herb, deserving attention and 

 local trials here, as yielding a kind of Indigo. Its growth 

 would be vigorous. 



Populus alba, Linne. 



The Abele or White Poplar of Europe and Middle Asia, 

 growing in the Himalayas up to 10,000 feet, ceasing at 4000 

 feet. Height ninety feet. It proved here an excellent 

 avenue-tree, even in comparatively waterless situations, and 

 gives by the partial whiteness of its foliage a pleasing effect 

 in any plantation. The wood is pale with a reddish tinge, 

 brown near the centre, soft and light, it can be used for 

 flooring; it is particularly sought for trays, bowls, bel- 

 lows and shoe-soles; also according to Porcher for wooden 

 structures under water. "Sparterie" for plaiting is obtained 

 from the wood-shavings. The wood of this and some 



