42 SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



used as a rtavoiins for cakes, ice cream, autl .Irink^ and in fruit salads. The 

 vine gi-ows well in 'any ordinary open soil .with abundant fertU./.er. The rich 

 green foliage is very ornamental." (F. 0. Fopenoe.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 448.o4. 

 49476. Bactpjs maraja Mart. Phoenicacese. Palm. 



From Bahia. Brazil. Seeds presented hy H. M. Curran. Keceiveil Maivh 

 2. 1920. 

 "(Bahia. December. 1919.) A palm said to gn-ow in a swamp: has a spin} 

 stem and produces clusters of edible dark-purple fruits resembling grapes in 

 appearance and flavor. The fruits are very common in the markets in Ilheos. 

 where these were obtained : they are called • nianvel velho,' or swamp coconut." 

 (Curran.) 

 49477 to 49479. 



From Kafue. .Xorthern Rhodesia. Collected b\ l>r. H. I.. Shantz. Agri- 

 cultural Explore!- for the Bureau of Plant Indusf.y. Received :March o. 

 1920. Quoted notes by Dr. Shautz.- 



49477. Aclotaxdka sp. Zinziberaceje. 



"(No. 320. December 4. 1919.) Roots of a beautiful orcliidlike plant 

 which forms a spike about 6 inches high, upon which one flower appears 

 at a time. The flowers, about 2 to 3 inchi-s across, have pale-yellow 

 centers with the edges white to lavender or rediKsh lavender. They open 

 in tlie morning and iast most of tiie day. The swollen roots have a 

 delicate flavor and are aromatic." 



49478. ArLOTANUBA sp. Zinziberacea;. 



"(No. 321. December 4. 1919.) Roots of a delicate Aulotandra with 

 ' a lacelike pure-white fl(iwer with a touch of yellow in the center, which 

 opens in the ea'ly evening and fades- as soon as the svm strikes it the next 

 day. Only one flf>wer is pushed up at a time. Like the preceding 

 number I No. 49477] but more delicate, and the spiko remains inider the 

 ground." 



49479. IrissocHiLus akexarius Lindl. Orchidaceae. 



"(No. 322. December 4, 3919.) Tubers of u beautihil land or soil 

 oichid with a sjtike 1* to 2| feet high, bearing beautiful lavender flowers. 

 The flower spike appears in advance of the lesives. This is one of the 

 most attractive orchids I have seen." 



49480. DiospTROs ebenaster Retz. Diospyracese. Black sapote. 



From Salina Cruz. Oaxaca. Mexico. Seeds presented by A\'ilbur Barker. 

 Received March 9. 1920. 



" The black sapote. which is native to Mexico, is a compact and shapely 

 ornamental tree v.atli oblong-oval glossy leaves about 4 inches long. The 

 fruits, which greatly resemble those of the kaki. or .Japanese persimmon, are 

 light gi-een when ripe and from 2 to 4 inches in diametei-. The dark-bmwn or 

 almost black flesh is sweet and when cut up or mashed with, orange juice makes 

 a first-rate dish." {Wilson Popenoe.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44187. 



49481. Prosopis stephaniana (Bieb.) Kunth. Mimosaceae. 



From Algiers, Algeria. Seeds presente<l by r>r. L. Tralnit. lieceived iNIarch 

 9, 1920. 



"Ayaba, south of Biskra. Algeria." (Trahut.) 



