COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 179 
Lucuma urbani. 
Reported from near Guanica. 
Luffa acutangula. Sponge CUCUMBER. ESPONJA. 
Reported by Bello; also called ‘‘ estropajo."’ A species of Luffa, probably this 
or L, aegyptiaca, was very common in Porto Rico, climbing over bushes and 
fences. It is not known whether the matted fibers of the fruit are used or 
not, but its increasing employment for the toilet and for other purposes, such as 
the linings of hats and the porous soles of slippers, is rendering it quite an article 
of export from Japan. In the younger state the fruits may be eaten as cucum- 
bers or pickled. 
Luffa cylindrica. See Luffa aegyptiaca. 
Lycopersicon cerasiforme. TOMATO AMARILLO. 
Family Solanaceae. 
Lycopersicon esculentum. See Lycopersicon lycopersicum. 
(Stahl, 6: 126.) 
Lycopersicon humboldtii. Tomater. 
(Stahl, 6: 125.) 
Lycopersicon lycopersicum. Tomato. ToMATO GRANDE. 
Tomatoes, like many other vegetables that have been developed in temperate 
regions, are with difficulty made to succeed in the Tropics. Good tomatoes are, 
however, produced in Porto Rico, and with the use of fertilizers fruits are reported 
from the north side of the island weighing as high as 11 ounces. 
Maba inconstans. NEGRA LORA. 
Family Ebenaceae. (Stahl, 6: 60.) 
Maba sintenisii. TABriBa. 
Also called ‘* guayabota nispero;”’ a’ native forest tree. about 30 feet (9 meters) 
high, reported from the vicinity of Lares. (Urban, Add. 1: 43.) 
Mabi. See Colubrina reclinata and C. ferruginosa. 
A drink by this name is commonly sold in the markets and peddled on the 
streets. It is usually taken as a‘‘refresco,”’ and is also reputed to be a remedy 
for indigestion, The bark from which it is made is also offered in the markets. 
Mabie. See Colubrina reclinata., 
Said to be the St. Lucia form of the word ‘* mabi.”’ 
Macachaira. See Manihot palmata. 
Macaw bush. See Solanum mammosum. 
Macaw palm. See Acrocomia fusiformis. 
According to Grisebach the ‘‘mackaw tree”’ is Acrocomia selerocarpa (=A. 
aculeata), while the *‘ great mackaw tree’’ is A. lasiospatha (=A. fusiformis). 
Maclura tinctoria. See Chlorophora tinctoria. 
Madre de cacao. See Frythrina umbrosa. 
This name is not known to be used in Porto Rico, but is of South American 
origin, and has been referred to by Hill and other writers. 
Maga. See Thespesia grandiflora. 
A tree from the interior of the island; height, 45 to 50 feet (14 to 15 meters); 
diameter, 20 to 25 inches (50 to 62 centimeters). Wood light, hard; specific 
gravity, 0.972; used in building houses. (Exp. 1857.) 
Color, rich chocolate brown. Conspicuous ducts few, cccurring singly, and 
irregularly scattered between the medullary rays: mostly distinct or occasionally 
two or three loosely grouped. Medullary rays comparatively few, distinct, but 
inconspicuous. Wood fibers slightly cross-grained, the smoothed surface appear- 
ing straight-grained. Quarter and radially cut medullary rays have a satiny 
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