l6o ROWLEE: synopsis OP THE GENUS OCHROMA 



American Balsa Company, after protracted investigation and 

 experiments, overcame these defects that the wood could be 

 fabricated into valuable products. 



The leaves of Ochroma, even on an individual tree, are variable. 

 The seedlings of the different species are much more difficult to 

 distinguish, one from the other, than are the mature trees. 

 Even in the case of two species so distinct as O. concolor and 0. 

 limonensis the seedlings are very much alike. We have based 

 our descriptions upon the leaves of mature trees. The flowers, 

 however, are characteristic for each of the several species, though 

 they vary in shape, size, and texture. 



TABLE 1. 

 ApPROxiMAtE Time of' Flowering and Fruiting of Ochroma 



Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aur. Sept. Oct. 



roncolor Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



lagopus Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



limonensis V\. F'l. Fr. Fr 



grandiflora Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr. 



tomentosa Fl.? Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



velutina Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



bicolor Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



boliviana Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



obtusa Fl. Fl. Fr. Fr 



The Species of Ochroma differentiate into two classes as re- 

 gards time of flowering and fruiting. In one group the fructifica- 

 tion takes place in the months of November and April; in the 

 other flowers and fruits develop from May to October. 



Table i is based on our observations in Central America, 

 supplemented by an examination of herbarium specimens and 

 notes by collectors. Five of the species bear flowers and fruit 

 in one season of the year and four in the other season. vSo far 

 as we could learn, the season of flowering is clearly marked. 

 For example, no flowers or fruit were to be found on the Limon 

 balsa (0. limonensis) from December to March, while both were 

 present in profusion from May to August. On the other hand 

 no flowers or fruit were to be found on the Guapiles balsa {O. 

 bicolor) from May to August, but an abundance occurs from 



