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leaves are gathered, steamed, and dried up, and used as a substitute
of tea. There is a species with three leaf-lets called Mitsnba-akebt
(Akebia lobata, Dccne.\ having the same use.
288. Hydrangea thunbergii, Sieb., Jap. Ama-cha ;
a half lignous shrub of the order Saxifragacca?, growing wild or
in gardens. From one root many stems grow in a group 3-4 fts.
high, sprouting in spring and flowering in summer. The flowersare
green at first, but turn red afterwards. The young leaves are
gathered, steamed, rolled between hands, and dried up, and used
to make a sweet beverage called Amacha (sweet tea).
It is also
mixed with Japanese soy to give a sweet taste.
289. Gynostemma cissoides, Bcntli. et Hook., Jap.
Tsurit-ainacha, Ajnacha-dsnru ; an annual climbing herbaceous
plant of the order Cucurbitacea3 growing wild. Its trailing
stem is slender and 5-7 fts long, with 5 leaves on a petiole. Theleaves
are used in the same way as the former.
290. LigUStrum japonicum, Th., Jap. Nedsumi-mochi;
an evergreen shrub of the order OleaceaB growing wild 7-8 fts.
high.
In summer small white flowers appear, being disposed in a
panicle at the tops of branches, and afterwards small dark purple
globular berries are produced. The seeds are collected, roasted'
and used as a substitute of coffee. The seeds of Ligustrum ibota
are also used in the same way. Besides these the seeds of Ilex
latifolia and the roots of Kiku-nigana
are used for the samepurpose.
291. Saccharum officinarum, Z., Sugar cane, Jap.
Sato-kiln ; a perennial graminous plant cultivated in warm regions.
It is 5-6 fts. high, with narrow leavas 2-3 fts. long. In
hot regions it
grows about 10 fts. high, with the stem more than,
1 inch in diameter, and with rush-like flowers and seeds. In late
autumn the stems are harvested, and their saccharine juice is
pressed out to make sugar by refining. There are black, red,
white, and other sugars, which are all used in a great quantity.
Th: uncrystallized sugar or syrup is often used for the preparation