. Botany for high schools and colleges. Botany. 408 BOTANY. fifteen years, but in cool climates it requires from thirty to seventy or more. The mature plant has a clilster of thick, sharp-pointed radical leaves, each about 2 metres (6 ft.) long, fiom the centre of which it Sends up a fiowerin<r stem 10-15 cm. (4-6 in.) thicli, and 5-6 metres (16-20 ft.) high, bearing hundreds of yellow flowers. The Mexicans cut out the central bud just before the lengthening of the flowering Btem, and from the juice, which flows out in great abundance, obtain by fermentation the drink called " Pulque,&
. Botany for high schools and colleges. Botany. 408 BOTANY. fifteen years, but in cool climates it requires from thirty to seventy or more. The mature plant has a clilster of thick, sharp-pointed radical leaves, each about 2 metres (6 ft.) long, fiom the centre of which it Sends up a fiowerin<r stem 10-15 cm. (4-6 in.) thicli, and 5-6 metres (16-20 ft.) high, bearing hundreds of yellow flowers. The Mexicans cut out the central bud just before the lengthening of the flowering Btem, and from the juice, which flows out in great abundance, obtain by fermentation the drink called " Pulque," or by distillation the more generally used " M(^f^; The subterranean stems possess a detergent principle, and under the name of " Amole " are much used by the Mexicans in washing. The strong fibres in the leaves are used for cordage. Hmmanthns toxicaria, of So-j/^- Africa, has a poisonous bulb, which is used by the Hottentots for !c,oning their arrows. Many species are grown for the beauty of their flowers ; among these may be mentioned: Amaryllis, of many species, mostly from South Africa and South America. Galanthus nivalis, the Snowdrop, of Europe. Leucojum vernum, the Snowflake, of Europe. Narcissus, of many species; this includes the Daffodil, Jonquil, Polyanthus, etc., all natives of Europe. Fig. 360. — Flower ^ , _ ., ^, .. , ^ ., _, diagram of Irida- Order Iridaceae.—The Ins Family, The sta- ceae.—After Sachs. rnens are only three (by the abortion of an inner •whorl, Fig. 360), and the leaves are equitant. The order contains five hundred species, which are mainly found in the south temperate clim- ates, a smaller number occurring in north temperate regions. They contain a purgative principle, which has been used in medicine. Crocus vernus and other species are commonly grown for their early spring flowers ; the dried stigmas of C. sativus constitute the drug Cro- cus or Saffron used in medicine and also in dyeing. Gladiolus psitt
Size: 1566px × 1596px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisher, booksubjectbotany
