APRIL 1 TO MAY 31, 1920. 37 



50102 to 50206 — Continued. 



50114. Acacia sp. Mimosacese. 



" Moobanga. Elizabethville, Belgian Kongo." 



50115. AcANTHOSicYOS HORRiDA Welw. CucurMtacese. 



"Narra seeds; Protectorate of Southwest Africa. From a very hot, arid 

 region," 



This plant, which belongs to the gourd family, is found on the dunes on the 

 coast of the Protectorate of Southwest Africa; it continues to grow with the 

 height of the dune, sending down roots to a considerable depth. The natives 

 are very fond of the juicy flesh of the roundish fruit, which is about 9 inches 

 in diameter. The seeds, which are very nutritious, have been used by Euro- 

 peans in Cape Town as a substitute for almonds, and the natives are very fond 

 of them. (Adapted from Kew Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, 1907, 

 p. 342.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 34734. 



50116. Agathosma chortophila Eckl. and Zeyh. Rutacese. 



An erect, many-stemmed evergreen shrubby plant, a foot or more high, 

 native to the Cape of Good Hope. The. leaves are erect and oblong-linear, and 

 the flowers are borne in umbels. (Adapted from Harvey and Sander, Flora 

 Capensis, vol. 1, p. 435.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47952, 



50117. Amygdalus communis L. Amygdalaceae. Almond. 



{Prunus amygdalus Stokes.) 



"Frost-resisting almond from the high veldt, Transvaal," 



50118. Anacardium occidentale L. Anacardiaceae. Cashew. 



"Manicaland, Southern Rhodesia. Collected by Maj. R. Gordon on his 

 1919 trip." 



A tree, up to 40 feet in height, with large leaves and close-grained, strong, 

 and durable wood. The fruit consists of a small nut borne upon a pear-shaped 

 red or yellow fleshy receptacle 2 to 4 inches long. This receptacle is edible 

 and quite harmless when ripe, having an agreeable subacid flavor, and is also 

 very good when cooked. The kidney-shaped nut contains a single large kernel 

 which is very delicious when cooked, having a nutty flavor; it should not be 

 eaten unless cooked, however, because of the poisonous juices of the shell, 

 which must be driven off by heat. (Adapted from Cook and Collins, Economic 

 Plants of Porto Rico, p. 75.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P.. I. No. 45915. 



50119. Asparagus sp. Convallariacege. 



'•(No. 239/19.) Potgietersrust; August 29, 1919. A climber: stipular spines 

 very thick, recurved." 



60120 and 50121. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile. Zygophyllaceae. 



A tropical African tree, 3 to 5 meters high, with papery woolly leaves and 

 edible stone fruits 3 centimeters long, rather bitter in flavor. The natives 

 make an intoxicating liquor from these fruits and also eat them raw. The seeds 

 yield an oil known as betu, which is used for food, as a liniment, and to some 

 extent as a medicine. One of the ingredients of the celebrated spikenard 

 perfume is supposed to have been furnished by this tree. (Adapted from Post, 



