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the order Leguminosae, growing
wild in mountains and also-
planted in gardens. In late it spring produces elegant purple or
white papilionaceous flowers drooping in a raceme with the leaves.
Afterwards long pods are produced. The branch is strong and
flexible, and is used for fastening. The fibre taken from the bark
is used for thread or cloth. The young tendrils when "bleached
are used for making baskets, etc. The young leaves and flowers
-can be eaten as vegetables. The seeds are also eaten when grilled.
Noda-fuji (611) has the same uses.
334. b. Pueraria thunbergiana, Benth^ Jap. Kudsu;
the fibre of the bast of this climber (251) is strong and white, and
as used for weaving, and also to make ropes and nets. The twine
is used to make baskets.
335. COCCUIUS tlmnbergii, Zfc., Jap. Tsudsitra-fuji ;
a deciduous climber of the order Menispermaceae growing wild
an bushes. The two sexes of flowers are produced separately on
different plants. Late in spring, it produces yellowish green
flowers, which are succeeded with round pea-sized black berries.
The thin tendrils are bleached and used to make baskets, etc.
which are the famous products of Midsuguchi in Oini.
335. b. Akebia lobata, Dec., Jap. Mitsuba-akebi ; a
deciduous climber of the order Lardizabalaceae growing wild in
mountains. The leaves are triphyllous, and the flowers opening
in early summer are monaecious and are succeeded with edible
bruits. In Midsuguchi of Omi and Tsugaru of Mntsu, the
young vines are bleached and used to make former.
baskets, etc. as the
336. Marsdenia tomentosa, Morr. et Decne., Jap.
J^iiyo-ran, Kijo-ran ; an everygreen climbing plant of the order
Asclepiadaceae growing wild in mountains of warm regions. The
leaves are round and smooth pointed at the apex. The flowers
bloom in the axils of the leaves. The fruit forms a long follicle,
which discloses a tuff of silky fibres. As the vines are strong
and tenacious, they are used for making ropes and bow-strings.