Dacrydium-Datura (Sturtevant, 1919)
| Dacrydium-Datura (Sturtevant, 1919) |
Contents
Dacrydium cupressinum Soland.
Coniferae. IMOU PINE. RED PINE. RIMU.
A lofty tree of New Zealand. The fleshy cup of the nut is eatable, and a beverage like spruce-beer is made from its young shoots.
Dahlia variabilis Desf.
Compositae. DAHLIA.
Mexico. The dahlia was first introduced into Spain in 1787, and three specimens reached Paris in 1802. Its petals may be used in salads. It was first cultivated for its tubers but these were found to be uneatable.
Daphne oleoides Schreb.
Thymelaeaceae. DAPHNE.
Europe and Asia Minor. The berries are eaten but are said to cause nausea and vomiting. On the Sutlej a spirit is distilled from them.
Dasylirion texanum Scheele.
Liliaceae.
Texas. The bases of the leaves and the young stems are full of nutritious pulp which supplies, when cooked, a useful and palatable food.
Datura metel Linn.
Solanaceae. DOWNY THORNAPPLE.
American tropics. This species grows abundantly along the Colorado River in Arizona. The Mohaves gather the leaves and roots, bruise and mix them with water and then let the mixture stand several hours after which the liquid is drawn off. The product is a highly narcotic drink producing a stupefying effect which it is not easy to remove. The Mohaves will often drink this nauseating liquid, as they are fond of any kind of intoxication.
Datura sanguinea Ruiz & Pav.
South America. The Peruvians prepare an intoxicating beverage from the seeds, which induces stupefaction and furious delirium if partaken of in large quantities. The Arabs of central Africa are said by Burton to dry the leaves, the flowers and the rind of the rootlets, the latter being considered the strongest preparation, and smoke them in a common bowl or in a waterpipe. It is esteemed by them a sovereign remedy for asthma and influenza.
