APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1922. 49 



55485. ZiziPHus mauritiana Lam. Rhamniicefp. Indian jujube. 

 {Z. jujuba Lam., not Mill.) 



From Assam, India. Seeds presented by S. K. Mitra. economic botimlst. 

 Received June 5, 1922. 



The Indian jujube is cultivated chiefl.v for its fruit, wliicli varies in sliajK- 

 from more or less spherical in the wild or commoner kinds to oval or oblong in 

 the cultivated kinds. The pulp is mealy and pleasantly sweetish; some of the 

 cultivated varieties are very fine. The tree is found llirouphout Iiidhi. 

 (Adapted from Brandts, Forest Flora of India, p. 88.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 41443. 



For an illustration of this jujube, see Plate V. 



55486. AcANTiiosiCYOs horrida Welw. Cucurbit aceu'. 



From Pretoria, Union of South Africa. Seeds presented by Dr. I. i'.. Toll- 

 Evans, through Dr. H. L. Shantz, physiologist in charge of the Oflice of 

 Plant Physiological and Fermentation Investigations. Received .Tune H. 

 1922. 



" Narras. A remarkable cucurbitaceous plant which grows on the dunes of 

 the Namib, where subterranean waters exist. Even when this water is at 

 great depths this plant subsists. It forms thorny thickets on the .sand hills of 

 Southwest Africa and is adapted to a hot, dry climate, with little or no rain- 

 fall. The fruit is the size of an ostrich egg. Both the pulp and seeds are u.sed 

 as food by the natives. The fruits are produced in abundance, and for about 

 four months of the year the more primitive Hottentots are said to survive with 

 practically no other source of food or water. The fruits are eaten and water 

 is secured from them. The seeds when ripe are plump and about the size of 

 watermelon seeds. 



" The plant is one which should be of great value to our Indians of the 

 Southwest if once established on the sand dunes of Arizona and southern Pall- 

 fornia. It, is doubtful if any plant can be secured which seems offiiand to give 

 greater promise in that i-egion than does this cucurbit." (Sliantz.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 31401. 



55487. Amygdalus persica L. Amygdalacese. Peach. 



{Pruniis persica Stokes.) 

 From Santa Ines, Chile. Plants presented by Sr. Salvador Izquierdo. San- 

 tiago, Chile. Received June 12, 1922. 

 "Pomona Improved. Sr. Izquierdo writes that this is an improved form of 

 the variety Pomona, grown at his nursery at Santa Ines. I're.served fruits 

 which he has sent us to show the character of the variety indicate that it is a 

 fruit of unusuallv large size, deep yellow, clingstone, and of excellent quality 

 for canning. It should be tried in California, where it may prove to have real 

 value. Its season of ripening is not known." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



55488. Medicago sativa L. Fabaceae. 



From Loja, Ecuador. Seeds presented by Sr. Enrique Witt. Received 

 June 15, 1922. 

 Locally grown seed introduced for experiments in alfalfa breeding. 



55489. Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. Af|uifoliacea\ Yerba mate. 



From Buenos Aires, Argentina. Presented by D. S. Bullock, agricultural 

 commissioner, Bureau of Markets and Crop Estimates, UnitefJ States 

 Department of Agriculture. Received June 5. 1922. 

 "These seeds were harvested in April in the Territory of Mislones." 

 (Bullock.) 



A small bushy, evergreen tree with serrate alternate leaves, native to I'.razil 

 and Paraguay and the neighboring countries. ^J'he leaves are roasted and 

 ground to make the Paraguay tea of commerce, wliich is said to possess the 

 good properties of tea and coffee without their injurious after effects. 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47309. 



