COOK AND COLLINS—ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. 225 
On inquiring why something of this kind had not already been done I was 
informed that it was owing to the high price of sugar. Formerly there was a con- 
sumo or consumption tax of 4 cents a pound on white sugar, which, of course, 
prevented its use for manufacturing purposes. With the removal of this, and the 
adjustinent of other trade disturbances, there ought to be no difficulty in gradually 
building up a considerable industry in guava jelly, the demand for which has 
probably been limited only by the fancy prices at which it has always been held. 
Guava bushes are growing wild in great quantities in all parts of the island. 
The amount of fruit available for manufacture of jelly must be very large. 
Described as a tree 15 to 20 feet (4to 6 meters) high, with a trunk 6 inches (15 
centimeters) in diameter. It furnishes a wood of a fine, compact texture. The 
coloris brownish gray and red, sometimes with lighter, parallel, or undulous lines, 
which give the wood a mottled and very handsome appearance, It is much 
appreciated in carpenter work that is suited to its small size and where strength 
and elasticity are needed. It serves thus for agricultural implements and in farm 
structures. Specific gravity, 0.696. (Grosourdy, 2: 388.) 
Psidium guineense. 
A species of guava cultivated in Santo Domingo, Jamaica, Guadaloupe, and 
Martinique, which, notwithstanding the specific name, which would indicate an 
African origin, is now believed to be indigenous in Trinidad and on the South 
American continent. It is said to have the taste of strawberries. (Urban, Add. 
2:85.) 
Psidium pomiferum. See Psidium guajavu. 
Psychotria. Pao moro, 
The name ‘‘ palo moro *’ is applied to numerous species of this extensive genus of 
rubiaceous shrubs, in particular to P. brachiata, P. grandis, P. nutans, P. 
pedunculata, P. pseudo-pavetta, and P. undata. (Stahl, 5: 68-75.) 
Psychotria brachiata. 
A shrub 6 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 meters) high; reported from Tabucoa and 
Guayabota. 
Psychotria horizontalis. 
A shrub 8 to 4 feet (about 1 meter) high; from Maunabo. 
Psychotria maleolens. 
A shrub or tree sometimes attaining a height of 10 meters and giving off an 
unpleasant aromatic odor. From El Yunque and forests in the vicinity. (Urban, 
Symb. 1: 444.) 
Psychotria maricaensis. 
A new species, probably a shrub, from Maricas. (Urban, 1: 448. ) 
Psychotria myrtiphyllum. 
A fragrant shrub, 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 centimeters) high; known from Sierra 
de las Piedras. 
Psychotria patens. 
A shrub from Sierra de Juncos. 
Psychotria pendula. 
An epiphytic species taking root in the mountain forests. Several eminent 
botanists have mistaken it for one of the Loranthaceae, or mistletoe, family. 
Urban names six subspecies, only one of which, P. pendula grosourdyana, is 
credited to Porto Rico. This is a small plant with the flowers white and the 
petioles and calyx blood red. There seems to be no reason why the specific part 
of De Candolle’s original name Loranthus portoricensis should not be applied to 
this peculiar plant, and that it should also have specific rank seems extremely prob- 
able from the descriptions, distribution, and synonym given by Urban. Referred 
by Eichler to Phthirusa and by Baillon to Uragoga. (Urban, Symb. 1: 445.) 
