Untitled - University of Oregon

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floWei's at the top are produced. The seeds are Usecr^-asrfobd, and
the new sprouts are also edible. A kind of mats is made from
the leaves.
347. Imperata arundinacea, Cyrill., Jap. CJdgaya; a
perennial wild grass. In late spring it produces flowers in
panicles, which when young are eaten by children with the name of
Tsubana or Chibana, and when fully ripen their soft fires are used
instead of cotton or as tinder. From the leaves a mat and a
farmer's rain-coat are made.
348. Andropogon schoenanthus, ., Jap. Ogam,
kaya ; a perennial wild grass. In autumn its stalk bears flowers,
with awns twisted like oat. The fibrous roots are white and
strong, and used to make brushes, etc. There is a variety called
348. b. Iris ensata, Th., var. chinensis, Max., Jap.
Neji-ayame ; the fine fibrous roots of the Iris (933) are used in
the same way as the preceding.
349. Bambusa aurea, Sieb., Jap. Usen-chiku, Horaichiku
; a small bamboo, growing to a height of about 10 fts., and
often used for hedges. In summer the young sprouts are eaten.
As the stem is tenacious, it is used instead of ropes.
349. b. Bambusa, Jap. Take-no-kawa ; the sheathes
protecting the young bamboo sprouts, expecially those of Madake
(589) and Hachiku (592) are much used for wrapping articles or
for making Japanese slippers. Those of Shiratake (white bamboo)
in the province of Chikugo are the best for
slippers, as they have
no spot.
349. c. Chamaerops excelsa, Thumb., Jap. Shuro ;
the leaves of this palm (711) are used for plaiting purposes or for
making brooms. Its stalk may be used for other purposes. Its
hairy fibres are strong and water proving, and are much used for
making ropes, mats, brushes, and many other articles.