Datiscin is a substance yielded by the bastardhemp, Datisca cannabina, a herbaceousdioeciousperennial, a native of the south of Europe, where it is used as a substitute for Peruvian bark, and for making cordage. Datiscin is extracted from the leaves, and is used as a yellow dye. Research Datiscin
The Aspen or trembling poplar (Populus tremula) is a species of small deciduous tree of the family Salicaceae, native to Europe, north Africa and north Asia. It is a beautiful tree of rapid growth and extremely hardy, with smooth bark which is yellow at first, turning a blackish colour later. The leaves are alternate, almost circular and have bluntly toothed or wavy edges and strong, sideways-flattened petioles and are attached to footstalks so long and slender as to be shaken by the slightest wind. Aspen is dioecious with separate male and female flowers arranged in catkins. The wood is light, porous, soft, and of a white colour, useful for various purposes. Research Aspen
Aucuba is a genus of plants of the order Cornaceae, one species of which, Aucuba japomoa, a laurel-like shrub with spotted leaves, a native of Japan and China, is now common in ornamental grounds in Europe. The flowers are dioecious and inconspicuous. For a long time only the female plant was cultivated, but during the 19th century the male was introduced, and the fruit, which consists of beautiful coral-red berries, was subsequently developed, and added greatly to the attractiveness of the plant. Aucuba himalaica, also brought to Europe, is less hardy. Research Aucuba
The black poplar (Populus nigra) is a large deciduous tree native to Britain, with spreading branches that arch downwards, and a brown, later greyish- black coloured, deeply furrowed bark. The leaves are alternate and serrate and are triangular-ovate with a wedge-like base and flattened petioles. The reddish-brown coloured axillary buds are long and sticky and curve upwards at the tip. Black poplar is dioecious, with crimson coloured male and green coloured female flowers arranged in catkins that open in early spring before the leaves appear. The fruit is a capsule which releases seeds with a white pappus. Research Black Poplar
Butcher's Broom (Ruscus) is a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Liliaceae. The flowers are dioecious and of a green colour, and rise from branchlets dilated in the form of leaves. It is a shrubby evergreen plant, with angular stems. There are several species: Ruscus aculeatus, or the common butcher's broom, a British plant, takes its name from formerly being used by butchers to sweep their blocks. Research Butcher's Broom
Coniferae (the Conifers) are the pines, firs, and their allies, a natural order of gymnospermous exogens, the essential character of which consists in the manner in which the ovules, not inclosed in an ovary, receive directly the action of the pollen without the intervention of a stigma. The ovules in these plants are borne on scales or modified leaves, which are spread out, not folded, and generally grouped in such a manner as to form a cone composed of a greater or smaller number of these leaves, of which only a portion may be fertile and bear ovules. The disposition, of the ovules in relation to these scales permits of a division of the Coniferae into three distinct families or tribes.
In the Cupressineae, which include the juniper, cypress, etc, the cones are formed of simple scales, each of which bears towards the base of its superior surface the ovules erect and sessile.
The second family, Abietineae, has in place of simple scales, scales actually double or formed of two parts; the lower one usually designated the bract; the other bearing at its base the ovules reversed. This family includes the pines, firs, and larches, the araucarias, Wellingtonias, dammaras, etc. In these two families the ovules are completely covered by the scales which constitute the cones, which unite after fecun-dation, and inclose the seedtill their maturity.
In the Taxineae, which constitute the third family, the scales are short, imperfect, and partly sterile, and neither cover the ovules at the period of fecundation nor at that of maturation. The ovules are usually set in the same manner as in the Cupressineae. The yew, the gingko, etc, belong to this family.
The Conifers are found in large forests in the north of Europe and America, and are of great importance as timber trees. They abound also in resinous juices and yield turpentine, pitch, tar, succinic acid, etc. The leaves are usually alternate, and awl or needle shaped, the naked flowers are monoecious or dioecious, the male flowers being in deciduous catkins, the female in cones. Research Coniferae
In botany, the term dioecious is applied to plants which have flowers with stamens on one individual and those with pistils on another: as opposed to monoecious. The willow, the yew, the poplar, etc, are dioecious. Research Dioecious
Hemp is an annual herb of the genusCannabis, natural order Cannabinaceae with an erect, hairy stem and palmately divided, long-stalked leaves with serrate edges, formerly cultivated for its fibres that are used to make rope. The plant is dioecious: the male flowers are arranged in panicles, are green, resembling those of the hop and produce large quantities of pollen; the female flowers grow in leafy spikes in the leaf axils and are pollinated by the wind. The fruit is a shiny, greyish-green achene.
Hemp is a native of Western and Central Asia, but has long been naturalized in Brazil and tropical Africa, and was extensively cultivated in Italy and many other European countries, particularly Russia and Poland. The Indian variety, often known as Cannabis indica, is the source of the narcotic drug variously known as hashish, bhang, or gunjah or simply cannabis.The oil and leaves of Indian hemp contain tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol and cannabidol, which have sedative, analgesic and antispasmodic properties.
The derivatives of hemp (hashish and cannabis being the oil and dried leaves respectively) are widely smoked for their narcotic effects and are also effective in the treatment of many illnesses including multiple- sclerosis, though their use is banned in the UK, where it is an offence to grow, possess or sell hemp without a government license.
The hemp fibre is tough and strong, and peculiarly adapted for weaving into coarse fabrics such as sail-cloth, and for twisting into ropes and cables. Immense quantities were exported from Russia. The finer sorts were used for shirtings, sheetings, etc, which, though coarser than that made from flax, were very much stronger and equally susceptible of being bleached.
The hemp of England was very superior, but the plant dis not pay the farmer, and very little of it was grown. In some of the United States during the 19th century hemp was a crop of considerable importance. Research Hemp
Hura is a genus of tropical American plants of the family Euphorbiaceae. Hura crepitans, the sandbox tree, is remarkable for the loud report with which its seed-vessel bursts. It is a large branching tree with glossy poplar-like leaves, inconspicuous dioecious flowers, and large, furrowed, roundish fruits of the size of an orange. Research Hura
Maba is a genus of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the family Ebenaceae. They usually bear dioecious flowers, more or less campanulate in form. Research Maba
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Datiscin
