252 



SELECT PLANTS READILY ELIGIBLE 



Vaccinium Vitis Idaea, Limie. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, Nortli America. A dwarf 

 shrub with evergreen leaves. The purplish-red berries are 

 sought for jellies and other preserves. 



It is as yet impossible to say, how many other species of 

 Yaccinium produce good-sized and well-flavoured fruits. 

 The genus ranges in many species from Continental Asia 

 to the Indian Archipelagus, and has a wide extension also in 

 South America, occupying in hot countries higher mountain 

 regions, but few reliable notes on the tropical sj)ecies are 

 extant, as far as the fruits are concerned. 



Valeriana Celtica, Linne. 



Alps of Europe. The root of this perennial herb is particu- 

 larly aromatic. 



Valeriana edulis, Nuttall. 



North- Western America, from Oregon to the Kocky Moun- 

 tains. The thick spindle-shajDed root of this herb afibrds 

 food to the natives of that part of the globe. When baked 

 the root proves agreeable and wholesome. When we con- 

 sider the wild states of the plants, from which many of our 

 important root-crops arose, then this Valeriana and several 

 otlier plants, suggestively mentioned in these pages, may well 

 be admitted for trial-culture. 



Valeriana officinalis, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, in swampy grass-land, with 

 a predilection for forests and river-banks. This perennial 

 herb would do particularly well on our alps. It is the 

 only one among numerous congeners of Europe, Asia and 

 America, which is drawn to a considerable extent into 

 medicinal use. The root and herb contain Valerianic acid 

 and a peculiar tannic acid; the root furnishes an essential 

 oil, which again resolves itself into Valerol (70 per cent.), 

 Valereen, Barneol and Valerianic acid. The order of 

 Valerianae is not represented by any native plant in 

 Australia. 



Valerianella olitoria, Moench. 



Lamb's Lettuce. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle 

 Asia. A fair and early Salad-plant. It is an annual plant, 

 and has several congeners in Europe and Asia. 



Veratrum album, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, extending eastwards to 

 Japan. It delights particularly in sub-alpine localities. The 

 root furnishes Veratrin, Jervin and Sabadillic acid. 



