JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 89 



51351 to 51357— Continued. 



51353. SoLANUM sp. Solanaceae. 



"(No. 440a. Bogota. September 4, 1920.) Seeds of a half-woody vine 

 which climbs over small trees In the vicinity of Cachipay, on the railway 

 between Bogota and Girardot (altitude about 6,000 feet). It has a leaf 

 much like the tomato vine, and its small, white, star-shaped flowers are 

 followed by clusters of egg-shaped fruits about half an inch long and 

 of a bright brownish orange. I am told that these fruits are not edible, 

 but I am' inclined to think they are harmless." 



51354. RuBus UETiCAEFOLius Poir. Rosaccre. Blackberry. 

 "(No. 438a. Bogota. September 4, 1920.) Seeds of a wild blackberry 



which Is excellent, though the fruit is rather small. It is found on the 

 mountain slopes at altitudes of 5,000 to 6,000 feet, above Esperanza, on 

 the railway from Bogota to Girardot. The canes reach a length of about 

 10 feet and are more or less erect in habit. The flowers are small and 

 white. The berries are produced in large clusters; individually they 

 are one-half to three-quarters of an inch long, with the drupelets which 

 compose them small, deep purple, and set closely together. The flavor 

 of the ripe berry is sweet and pleasant." 



51355. SoLANUM TUBEROSUM L. SolanacesB. Potato. 

 "(No. 442. Bogota. September 4, 1920.) Tubers of the Criolla 



potato from the Bogota market. One of the principal varieties culti- 

 vated in this region. A round, rather small, red-skinned potato with 

 deep eyes." 



51356. Zea mays L. Poacepe. Com. 

 "(No. 443a. Bogota. September 4, 1920.) Seeds of a peculiar variety 



of corn, with sulphur-yellow, starchy kernels ; from the Bogota market." 



51357. Erythrina edulis Triana. Fabaceae. 



"(No. 437a. Bogota. September 4. 1920.) Seeds of a plant called 

 l)alu in Cundinamarca ; chachnfruto in Antioquia ; and frijol nopas in 

 Santander. 



"A small, soft-wooded tree whose seeds are an important article of 

 food in certain parts of Colombia, notably on the western slope of the 

 Cordillera Oriental. It is sometimes planted among coffee trees to 

 provide shade for them, and it is often seen in dooryards and about the 

 gardens of the natives. Anolairna, in Cundinamarca, is said to be one 

 of the most important centers of production. The tree is grown in this 

 part of Colombia at altitudes of 5,500 to 6,500 feet. The fact that it 

 is seen only within this narrow zone would indicate that it is rather 

 exacting In its climatic requirements. 



" The tree grows to a height of 25 or 30 feet. The leaves are trifoliolate, 

 vplth the oblong-ovate to ovate, acute leaflets sometimes as much as 8 

 inches long. The flowers, produced in erect spikes, are about three- 

 quarters of an inch long, and orange-scarlet. The fruit is a plump pod 

 6 to 18 inches long and about an inch thick. It contains several brown 

 seeds of the form and character of the common bean, but much larger ; 

 they are usually 1 to 2 inches long, and very plump. 



