214 
The Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. XI, No. 1, 
SOME ECONOMIC MONOCOTYLS OF OHIO. 
G. W. Hood. 
The monocotyls are perhaps the most important plants. 
They include, the grass family which is of special consequence to 
men and animals. The following brief summary includes some of 
the most important economic monocotyledonous plants that are 
found in Ohio. 
The rhizomes of the Typhaceae are rich in starch and serve as 
food for man. The pollen is used to adulterate lycopod powder, 
the heads of flowers serve as torches when dipped in coal oil, and 
the downy fruit is used to stuff pillows. In many places the 
leaves are employed for braid work, and they are also used between 
the staves of barrels, and for chair bottoms. 
The young roots and shoots of Typha latifolia are eaten by 
the Sioux and other Indian tribes, and the leaves used for matting. 
The Sioux were accustomed to treat smallpox by frying out the 
fat of the coyote and making a plaster by mixing it with the down 
of the fruit, which they applied to the pustules of the patient. 
The pollen is gathered and made into bread and cakes. 
The stems of the Sparganiaceae are used for making paper 
and thatching roofs, while some of the species of the Naiadaceae, 
particularly the Potamogetons, make a good fertilizer and can 
be used as food for cattle. Potamogeton natans furnishes food 
for swine and the tubers are roasted and eaten by man, while 
P. lucens is employed as a protection for fish hatcheries. 
The species of Triglochin belonging to the Scheuchzeriaceae 
furnish a good tasting greens and the seeds are also used for food. 
Among the Alismaceae, the species of Sagittaria produce a 
good cattle food, while the rhizomes of Sagittaria latifolia are 
used as human food and are found regularly on the markets in 
China. They attain the size of a large fist and are called “Wap- 
patoo.” Before using the rhizomes are soaked in water to take 
out the swampy taste. 
The nuts of the American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) which occur 
in large numbers in several places in the state are edible, the 
large kernels having a sweet taste. 
The different species of the Vallisneriaceae furnish an excellent 
food for ducks. The species Philotria canadensis, known as the 
water pest, is used as a green fertilizer and cattle food. 
The family Graminaceae includes probably more economic 
species than any other found in the state. The stems of Zizania 
aquatica are used for making joints of barrels intended to hold 
whisky, and the Chippewa Indians ate the grain for food; while 
Phalaris canareinsis produces the well known canary seed. Anthox- 
