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Fusa-sugnri ; a small shrub of the order Saxifragaceas, found in
4;he forests of Hokkaido. It attains a height of 5-6 f ts. The drooping
flowers are disposed on panicles. The red berries have a
subacid taste.
214. Ficus carica, ., Fig, Jap. Ichijiku ; a deciduous
shrub of the order Urticaceas, cultivated in warm countries, attaining
a height of about 10 fts. In summer it produces fruits at the
.axils of the leaves. The flowers are concealed inside the fruits.
The fruits are green and ovate at first, and then turn dark purple
outside and reddish inside. It is soft, sweet, and slightly
aciduous. Several good varieties have been recently introduced.
Especially one with a greenish white skin is sweet like honey
when ripe and is
good for drying.
214. b. FicilS carica, L., var., Jap. Shiro-ichijiku, Nankin-ichijiku
; a variety of fig of a dwarf nature. The leaves and
iruits are also small. When fully ripe the inside of the fruits is
white and of an inferior taste. The fruits of Ficus pyrifolia and
Ficus nipponica are also eaten.
215. Stauntonia hexaphylla, Dec., Jap. Mube, Tokiwaakebi
; an evergreen climbing plant of the order Menispermacese,
growing wild and also cultivated as an ornament and for it fruits.
In summer it
produces fine peduncles, and male and female
flowers grow separately. The fruits ripen late in autumn. They
are oval, and about 2i inches long and 1 inch in diameter. They
have a dark-red colour outside, and contain many black seeds.
Their white pulpy flesh is sweet like honey. Formerly
the fruits
were presented to the Emperor as delicious and of great rarity
brought from the province of OntL They were highly prized at
that time, as sugar was then unknown. The fruits of Akebia
quinata and A. lobata are also eaten, and from these seeds oil is
extracted.
216. GinkgO biloba, ., Jap. Ginnan ; the nut of this
plant is called Ginnan. This tree belongs to the order Coniferae,