University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-10-08
PLANT FREAKS

again, nature has prepared it for these
periods of drouth. The rainy season is
short in the desert and occurs only once
a year. So that the plant may obtain
enough moisture for the dry season,
it is provided with a reservoir to store
up water. The organ in which the wa
ter is stored is at the base of the stem
and is covered with a sort of water
proof envelope through which the water
can neither escape nor evaporate.
A most remarkable plant is the drink
ing orchid, which is found in South
America. This orchid takes drink
whenever it feels thirsty, by means of
tube which it lets down into the wa
ter The formation of this orchid is
different from others shaped, growing
round the root and radiating of its spe-
cies, it having sharp leaves, lancehead
from it. From the center of the plant
hangs the tube about One-eighth of an
inch thick and One-fOurth of an inch
wide.
When touched it gradually contracts
and rolls itself up in spiral-like coil.
As rule these orchids are to be found
growing directly over water, or where
water has been, and in the latter it is
almost pathetic to see how The tube will
work its way over the ground to pool
or river. The drinking tube when not
in use is coiled up on the top of the
plant.
During the fall and early winter sew
eral years ago a number of men might
have been observed in the streets sell
ing an odd little plant which they call
ed resurrection plant" Many and won
derful were the tales told of the plant
by these itinerant statesmen to persuade
customers to purchase. Most
Of them either stated directly or else led
their hearers to infer that the plants
came only from the Holy Land, where
they were emblematical of the resurrec
tion. Most of them, however, were
incarnium. the commOnest
Of all the ferns of Florida. During the
dry season the plant curls up into
small hall and has the appearance of
being dead. In this condition it will
bear transportation very well. When it
is placed in a bowl containing little
water the leaves unfold and assume a
bright green color, forming a rather
pretty and ornamental plant.
One of the most remarkable of the
worlds trees, found along the Amazon,
n South America. is the masseranduba,
,r milk tree 1t is a magnificent tree,
wen in that country of illimitable for
'sts, rising with a straight stem to an
normOus height The timber is very
lard. fine grained and durable and is
alued for structures which are much eX-
,Osed to the weather. The fruit is edi-
lie and very good, being the size of a
mall apple and full of rich and juicy
ulp.
But strangest of all is the vegetable
milk, which eXudes in abundance when |
he bark is cut. The milk has about |
he cOnsistence of thick cream, and save
or very slight, peculiar taste, could
carcely be distinguished from the pro-
uct of the COW. The natives use this
rec milk in their coffee and tea and in
ooking. 1t is used for glue and is said
0 be durable.
Another curious South American tree,
nd one about which many romantic
ales have been woven, is the sO-called
rain tree" which possesses a reservoir
Or water in a hollow at the base of its
,af. The natives have long asserted
hat under it's shade grass will grow in
abundance. This is due to
he interesting fact that the leaves of
he tree possess the power of independ-
Mt motion. At sunset the leaves close
,gether, allowing dew to form on the
rass beneath. With the temperance
the. sun the leaves expand again and
screen the grass beneath,
lus effectually checking excessive evap-
ration.
In India seven different species of
'ees are considered sacred, and worship
| accordingly. Among them the finest
oking and the most useful is the as
alta, or pagoda fig tree. Nishnu. one
!. the Hindu gods. is said to have been
Drn under it. To fell one of these
ees would be an objectionable act o:
,crilege. The vepu, or margOsa tree,
hch is dedicated to silva. is sometimes
arried to the aswatta, with impressive
remOnies.
An amusing story is told about the
,epul. another sacred tree. The poll
cal agent at Ulwar, Hindustan, some
sars ago wished to plant an avenue OF
ees on either side of the road in front
the shops, for shade purposes, and
I'd decided to use peepul trees, but
e native shopkeepers, one and all, de-