Untitled - University of Oregon

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337. Musa basjoo, Sieb., Jap. JBas/io ; a perennial
herbaceous plant of the order Musaceae cultivated in gardens.
Late in spring it shoots forth its leaves to a height 10 fts. In?
summer it bears yellow flowers protected with large bracts. They
are succeeded with fruits, which, however, do not come to-
maturity unless in hot climates. During the frosty
season the
leaves wither and only the sheath remains ; so it must be covered
during the severe winter. From the sheath, fibre is obtained. In
the Okinawa Islands, a different species of Musa grows plenti-
fully,
arid from its fibre,
Basho-fu (Musa linen).
the natives weave a cloth called
338. Juncus balticus, Dent/i., Jap. Kohige ; a
perennial herb of the order Juncaceae cultivated in paddy fields^
It grows to a height of about 3 fts. In summer its stalk bears
small flowers arranged in branches under about 3 inches from the
top of the leaves. The stalks are cut and woven into mate called
Bingo-omote. They are also used to make hand-baskets. The-
Tuncus (298) is of the same use, but softer.
339. Typha angustifolia, ., Jap. Himegama ; a *
perennial aquatic plant of the order Araceae growing in swampsand
ponds. In spring it shoots forth broad flat leaves to a height
of 6-7 fts., and in summer the flower-stalks grow to the height of
the leaves, bearing male and female flowers separately at the top.
The latter is in the form of a spadix of a length of 8-10 inches
and a diameter of an inch. When fully ripen, the flower flies off"
by the wind like cotten. It is used for tinder, candle-wick,
paper-making, etc. The leaves are used for mats, baskets, and
ropes. There are two varieties, large and small, which are of thesame
use. The young leaves can be eaten as a vegetable.
340. Cyperus nutans, Vahl. y Jap. Shichido, Riukiu ; *
a perennial aquatic plant of the order Cyperaceae cultivated in
paddy fields. In spring, triangular stalks grow to a height of
4-5 fts., bearing fine flowers arranged on little petioles. In
autumn they are cut, dried and woven into green mats called
Riukiu-oDiote or Ao-wushiro.
i/