JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 13 



50683 to 50685— Continued. 



50683. CoccoLOBis sp. Polyfronacejp. 



"(No. ;>7G. May 27. 1920.) IMants r.n>s«-iitofl by Carlos W<>ivk:C'. El 

 Coyolar, Costa R ra. Mr. Wereklo dcsciilH'il tliis a.s a small tret*, ovor- 

 green, much branclied. and handsome in appearaneo. It produces blue- 

 black fruits the size of small plums, with juicy llesh of acid, somewhat 

 astringent flavor, irood for niakiii.^ Jellies and jireserves and also for 

 catinj; out of hand when of a good variety. The single stone is ratber 

 large. This plant may succeed in southern Florida. It is from tbe low- 

 hinds of Costa Rica and hence tropical in its requirements." 



50684. Makanta sp. Marantacea^. 



"(No. 377. May 27, 1920.) Lairoi. Roots jircsented by Curios 

 Werckle, El Coyohnr, Costa Rica. A plant allied to arrowroot and 

 greatly re,sembling it in appearance. It yields large numbers of plump 

 tubers, 2 to 4 inches long. These contain nuich starch, and can be 

 eaten when boiled, though rhey never become soft or mealy. Mr. 

 Werckle thinks the species may be of value as a source of starch be- 

 cause of the large quantity of tubers which each plant produces." 



50685. Nectandka glabkescens Benth. Lauiaceoe. 



"(No. 379a. Seed from Rancho Redondo. near San Jose, elevation 

 about 1,5(X) meters. May 27, 1920.) A round-topped tree growing to 

 about 40 feet, and producing fruits which look like small avocados of 

 the Mexican race. They are obovoid in form, nearly 2 inches long, with 

 a thin black skin and yellow flesh of oily texture and strong aniselike 

 taste which makes them inedible. Of interest as a possible stock plant 

 for the avocado." 



50686 and 50687. 



From Kisantu, Belgian Kongo. Seeds presented by Father H. Vanderyst. 

 Received June 29, 1920. 



50686. Andropogon sp. Poace«. Grass. 

 Numbered for convenience in testing by the OHice of Forage-Crop In- 

 vestigations. 



50687. Bkachiabia brizantha (Hochst.) Stapf. PoacejTi. Grass. 

 (PaMcum brizanthuni Hochst.) 



"A tall grass, especially on the higher land. It is very abundant on 

 the uplands and forms a large part of the great grass cover of this 

 grassland country." {Shantz.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49687. 



50688. Peksea A>IEKICA^'A Mill. Lauraceie. Avocado. 



(P. gratissima Gaertn f.) 

 From San Jose, Costa Rica. Collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received June 

 15, 1920. 



"(No. 485.)" (Popenoe.) 

 2210—23 2 



I 



