JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31^ 1920. 33 



49370 to 49383— Continued. 



49381. I'ENMSETUM coMPLANATCM (Nees.) Heiiisl. Poacese. Grass. 

 "(No. 259«. Tucuru, Alta Vera Paz. January 12, 1920.) Kux hub. 



Seeds of a foxtail occurring in pastures of Finca Saiuac, near Coban, 

 Alta Vera Paz. It grows about 3 feet high and is said to be good forage." 



49382. Pennisetum distaohyum (Fourn.) Rupr. Poaceaj. Grass. 

 "(No. 260a. Tucuru, Alta Vera Paz. January 12, 1920.) Xul aj. 



Seeds of a large grass occurring along ravines and in half-shady places, 

 linca Saniac, near Coban. It grows to 6 feet in height, with leaves an 

 inch broad, and seeds abundantly. It looks like a valuable forage grass." 



49383. Peksea donnell-smithii Mez. Lauracese. 



"(No. 248a. Tucuru, Alta Vera Paz. January 12, 1920.) Oh-mash 

 ( Kekchi. for ' monkey avocado ' ) . A wild species of Persea found in the 

 valley of Tactic (where these seeds were obtained) and abundantly on 

 the mountains between Tactic and Coban, principally in open places. 



"This is a slender tree up to 40 feet In height (commonly about 25 

 feet), with largo oblong-obovate leaves, reddish pubescent beneath, and 

 small terminal panicles of black fruits the size and shape of peas. While 

 its fruit is not edible or useful in any way, the species is of interest as 

 ti relative of the avocado and may have value as a stock for the latter, 

 especially for wet lands. Its degree of frost resistance is unknown, but 

 the fact that it occurs in the zone of the Guatemalan avocado indicates 

 that it will probably be as hardy as the latter and maybe even hardier." 



49384. Callilepis sp. Asteraceae. 



From Nelspruit, Transvaal. Seeds collected by Dr. H. L. Shautz, Agricul- 

 tural Explorer for the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received January 29, 

 1920. 

 "(No. 186. Nelspruit, Transvaal. October 20, 1920.) A composite about 10 

 to 14 inches high, with almost white chrysanthemumlike flowers." (Shantz.) 



49385 to 49401. 



From Guatemala. Collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorer for 

 the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received February 9. 1920. Quoted notes 

 by Mr. Popenoe. 



49385. PoLYGALA FLOBiBUNDA Benth. Polygalacese. Chupak. 

 "(No. 26Sa. Tucuru, Alta Vera Paz. January 18, 1920.) Chupak. 



Seeds of a handsome shrub, wild and cultivated in Vera Paz. It sends up 

 stems about 6 feet in height, each one terminating in a large loose panicle 

 of purplish flowers. Since it is of easy culture and blooms nearly all the 

 year it is considered a desirable ornamental by Europeans in this region. 

 Its roots are used in place of soap. Presented by Mrs. Gustavo Helmrich, 

 of Finca Samac, near Coban," 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44683. 



49386. Randia aculeata L. Rubiacese. 



"(No. 269(7. Tucuru, Alta Vera I'az. .January 18, 1920.) Seeds of a 

 shrub which I have seen only in the vicinity of Purula, Baja Vera Paz. 

 It grows in the edge of the forest, occasionally In the open, and seems 

 to thrive on lots of moisture. It is interesting because of its formal 

 appearance and synunetrical growth, which strongly resembles Buxus. 

 It should make an excellent hedge plant and for specimen plants in a 



