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Vaccinium Vitis Idaea, Linné.
Europe, North and Middle Asia, North America. A dwarf
shrub with evergreen leaves. The purplish-red berries are
sought for jellies and other preserves.
I t is as yet impossible to say, how many other species of
Vaccinium produce • good-sized and well-flavoured fruits.
The genus ranges in many species from Continental Asia
to the Indian Archipelagus, and has a wide extension also in
South America, occupying in hot countries higher mountain
regions, bnt few reliable notes on the tropical species are
extant, as far as the fruits are concerned.
Valeriana Celtica, Linné.
Alps of Europe. The root of this perennial herb is particularly
aromatic.
Valeriana edulis, Nuttall.
North-Western America, from Oregon to the Bocky Mountains.
The thick spindle-shaped root of this herb affords
food to the natives of that part of the globe. When baked
the root proves agreeable and wholesome. When we consider
the wild states of the plants, from which many of our
important root-crops arose, then this Valeriana and several
other plants, suggestively mentioned in these pages, may well
he admitted for trial-culture.
Valeriana oificinalis, Linné.
Europe, North and Middle Asia, in swampy grass-land, with
a predilection for forests and river-banks. This perennial
herb would do particularly well on our alps. I t is the
only one among numerous congeners of Europe, Asia and
America, which is drawn to a considerable extent into
medicinal use. The root and herb contain Valerianic acid
and a peculiar tannic acid; the root furnishes an essential
oil, which again resolves itself into Valerol (70 per cent.),
Valereen, Barneol and Valerianic acid. The order of
Valerianæ is not represented by any native plant in
Australia.
Yalerianella olitoria, Moench.
Lamb’s Lettuce. Europe, North Africa, North and Middle
Asia. A fair and early Salad-plant. I t is an annual plant,
and has several congeners in Europe and Asia.
Veratrum album, Linné.
Europe, North and Middle Asia, extending eastwards to
Japan. I t delights particularly in snh-alpine localities. The
root furnishes Veratrin, Jervin and Sabadillic acid.
Veratrum viride, Aiton.
Canada and United States of North America. A near
relative of the former plant. Its root has come recently into
medicinal use.
Vicia Cracca, Linné.
Europe, North Africa, North and Middle Asia, North
America. Perennial. Becommendable for naturalisation as
a fodder-plant in silvan and alpine lands. I t yields in shade
a three times larger return than in open places (Langethal).
The cognate V. Cassubica and V. biennis (Linné) serve also
for field-culture.
Vicia Ervilia, Willdenow. [Ervum Ervilia, L.)
South Europe, North Africa, South-Western Asia. An
annual herb, praised as a valuable fodder-plant on dry calcareous
soil.
Vicia Faba, Linné.*
The Straight Bean. Orient, particularly on the Caspian Sea.
This productive annual herb affords not only its seeds for
table-use, but provides also a particularly fattening stable-
food. The seeds contain about 33 per cent, starch. V.
Narhonensis (L.), from South Europe and South-West Asia
is preferable for the table, because its seeds contain less
bitter principle, though they are smaller.
Vicia peregrina, Linné.
South Europe. Annual. In Italy preferred to the ordinary
Tare for sand-soil; it recommends itself also for its close
growth.
Vicia sativa, Linné.* (F. angustifolia, Both.)
The ordinary Vetch or Tare. Europe, North Africa, North
and Middle Asia. One of the best fodder-plants, but only
of one or two years’ duration. Important also for green-
manure, and as a companion of clovers. The allied V.
cordata (Wulfen) and V. globosa (Betzius) are similarly cultivated
in Italy (Langethal). Many of the other European
and Asiatic species of Vicia are deserving our attention.
Vicia sepium, Linné.
Europe, West and North Asia. Deserves attention as a
perennial Vetch, enduring an alpine clime. I t might with
advantage be naturalised in our forests and alps, hut it can
also readily be subjected to field-culture, the yield being large
and nutritious in regions with humid air, though the soil
might he poor. This Vetch can be kept for about fifteen
years continually on the same field (Langethal). V. Pan-
nonica (Jacquin) is an allied hut annual species.
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