GOLDMAN—PLANT RECORDS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA. 343 
to La Purfsima. In his Flora of the Cape Region Brandegee records it as common at 
the higher elevations of the interior mountains. It was not seen by us, however, on 
the higher part of the Victoria Mountains. The species appears to belong in the sub- 
tropical area on both sides of the Gulf of California. 
Jatropha spathulata Muell. Arg. Maracora. PLATE 116, B. 
One of the widely ranging species which belong to the Cape District and reach 
well northward. Its distribution corresponds closely to that of Pedilanthus macrocar- 
pus. First seen by us near Calamahué and thereafter abundantly nearly all along 
the route to Cape San Lucas and on the islands of Margarita, Cerralvo, and Espiritu 
Santo. A very small tree or a shrub, 1.5 to 2.5 meters high. At San Ignacio we were 
told that the women formerly wove the peeled branches of this species into baskets. 
The baskets were called “coras’’ and the name “matacora’’ appears to be derived 
therefrom. Specimens of the plant were collected at Calamahué, September 15, and 
at Tinaja de Santana, 35 miles north of San Ignacio, October 4. 
‘Manihot chlorosticta Standl. & Goldm.* 
Among the many plants of the Cape District that are evidently derived from the 
tropical flora of the adjacent mainland of Mexico isa Manihot which has recently been 
described from specimens taken by us, January 6, 1906, at San José del Cabo, where 
it is rather common. It had been collected before in the same vicinity, but was 
confused with M. carthaginensis, a more southern species with very different leaves 
and seeds. The species was not seen farther north. 
Pedilanthus macrocarpus Benth. CANDELILLA. PLATE 117, A. 
One of the most widely ranging and characteristic plants of the Peninsula. Its dis- 
tribution corresponds closely with that of Jatropha spathulata and other species of 
that genus. It was first seen at Calamahué and was noted as abundant at many 
localities southward on the mainland to Cape San Lucas and on the islands of Mag- 
dalena, Margarita, and Espiritu Santo. Shrub 1 to 1.5 metershigh. Rather generally 
distributed, but most abundant on the coastal plains along the west side of the Penin- 
sula. The thick, milky sap is very sticky and is said to produce a substance similar 
to rubber, with commercial possibilities. Specimens in flower and fruit were taken 
at Calamahué, September 15, and along the road from Santo Domingo to Matancita, 
November 15. 
Sebastiania bilocularis 8S. Wats. HIeRBA DE LA FLECHA. PLATE 117, B. 
Known to the people throughout the southern part of the Peninsula. It was first 
noted by us about 20 miles east of San Ignacio, and was abundant thence at intervals 
southward in the lower hill country to the vicinity of Cape San Lucas. It grows as 
a tree 3 to 6 meters in height, with spreading branches and rounded top clothed with 
dense, dark green foliage, in contrast with other desert vegetation. The tree is said 
to be poisonous and the local name implies an arrow poison. Exposure to the smoke 
from the burning wood and sleeping in the shade of the tree are said to cause sore 
eyes. At El Pescadero we were told that the milky juice from the finely chopped 
branches placed in water is used to kill fish. Specimens in flower were taken about 
20 miles east of San Ignacio, October 19, and in flower and fruit between El Pescadero 
and El Cajon, December 27. Millspaugh records material collected by Brandegee 
at La Purisima February 12, in excellent floral condition but lacking fruit. 
Under his original description Watson gives the type region as consisting of dry water- 
courses on the hills and mountains of northwestern Sonora. He also states that the 
plant is described as a tree 3 to 6 meters high with upright slender branches, and is 
called “yerba de fleche’”’ by the Papago Indians, who say that the Apaches used to 
poison their arrows with its milky juice. 
‘ 
1 See p. 311. 
