324 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM, 
MORACEAE, Mulberry Family. 
Ficus palmeri S. Wats. WILD FIG. SALATE, 
Wild fig trees were first met with at Yubay, where a very few stunted trees were 
growing about large bowlders near the water hole. No others were seen until we 
again entered the hill country along the backbone of the Peninsula between Pozo 
Altamirano and San Pablo and in the vicinity of Tinajade Santana. This fig was 
also found in the hills at El Potrero, 25 miles southwest of Mulegé, and more abun- 
dantly in the Cape District south of La Paz, where it is known to the people as ‘“‘salate.’’ 
The species appears to be at home on the warm slopes of rocky canyons in the hill 
country, growing usually asa small tree 4.5 to 7.5 meters high, but sometimes reaching 
a height of 10 meters. It was not observed on the plains along the Pacific coast. 
Specimens in fruit were taken as follows: Yubay, September 18; El Potrero, Octo- 
ber 21; between El Cajén and El Sacatén, December 28. Concerning this species 
Brandegee says: “Ficus palmeri is found from San Ignacio to the Cape, especially 
among rocks and upon the face of cliffs. The trunk is very white, and on the per- 
pendicular rocks flattens out at the base and assumes various fantastic forms, some of 
them, even when the trees are small, becoming 4 feet wide while only 2 or 3 inches 
thick, and finally branching out in all directions seeking crevices for a foothold. In 
good soil, in the bottom of canyons or about. springs, it is a fine, well-shaped, large 
tree and affords an agreeable shade from the hot sun. The small figs are edible, but 
I think no one eats many of them, and certainly would not eat any without a good 
appetite. The trunk never grows tall enough to be made into boats or canoes and 
all the ‘dugouts’ so common about Magdalena Bay, San José, and La Paz are fash- 
ioned from the fig trees of Mazatlin on the mainland. When the small figs are ripe 
the tree is full of animal life; numerous insects are buzzing around, attracted by the 
sweet exudations of the fruit, and hummingbirds are continually flying through the 
branches. Sometimes in canyons this fig bears numerous aerial rootlets, but gen- 
erally the trunk is smooth and light colored.’?! 
LORANTHACEAE. Mistletoe Family. 
Loranthus sonorae 8S. Wats. INJERTO. 
This parasite was described from material collected by Palmer near Guaymas, 
Sonora, where it was “growing on Bursera microphylla.’ It was taken in flower by 
us and noted as common on this same species (now known as Elaphrium microphyllum) 
5 miles southwest of El Potrero, October 31. Seen at intervals throughout the south- 
ern part of the Peninsula. 
OLACACEAE. Ximenia Family. 
Schoepfia californica T. S. Brandeg. 
First noted near Santo Domingo and then seen occasionally along our route over 
the Coastal Plain to Matancita, growing as a shrub or small tree 4.5 to 6 meters high, 
Its grayish foliage and general habit at a little distance somewhat suggest an olive 
tree. A flowering specimen was collected on the road a few miles north of Matancita, 
November 15. A species which we took to be this was noted on Cerralvo Island. 
Recorded by Brandegee at San Gregorio, Comandt, and in the Cape District. 
* 
* Zoe 2: 149, 150. 1891. 
