56 



THK AMERICAK- BOTANIST. 



selves liaTe more red in their coloring. This Ta'st may be 

 called the forma rubra. Some day the systematists will 

 probably make this a distinct variety . in the wild state 

 elderberries differ greatly in size and it is likely that ao 

 improYcd strain of the berries couM soan- be prodoiced by 

 selectian. 



An Edible Ornamentai..— Probably few of thome who» 

 cultiyate for ornament the plant known as elephant^^ ear 

 {Caladium esculentum) are aware that it is edible. In 

 warmer regions it is grown as a field crop, and frequently 

 known by the name of coco. It bears tubers which can be 

 boiled, roasted or baked like a potato. The young leaves 

 are said to be occasionally used as a pot-herb. 



Rose Hips as Food,- — It is said that the fruit of the 

 wild rose formed the principal sustenance of the Doukho- 

 bors or "Spirit Wrestlers*^ of western Canada upon their 

 ten days religious pilgrimage across the prairies last 

 November. Having given away all their propert}^ in the 

 belief that their wants would be miraculously supplied,, 

 they were obliged to depend upon frozen berries and rose 

 hips for food. 



What is American Weed ?— A writer in Nature Notes 

 speaks of some water plant as '^American weed''' without 

 its scientific designation and we can therefore only guess 

 as to its identity. America has weeds in plenty, as every 

 gardener knows^ and many of these we have acquired 

 from Great Britain, but it would certainly be of interest to 

 know what particular vegetable vagabond has become 

 the American weed to our English cousins. 



Buttercups.— Dearest of all plant names to the child 

 is the buttercups; so dear, indeed, that not only all the 

 true buttercups (Ranunculus) but the fields of marsh mari- 

 golds (Caltha) answer to the call. Then around Cincin- 

 nati the yellow poppies (Meconopsis) are looked upon as 

 late buttercups, and out in Colorado a species of yellow 

 violets {Nuttallia) were gold enough to be classed likewise, 

 in fact it is the color and not the shape which appeals to 



