Inventory 64, Seeds and Plants Imported. 



PLATE V. 



A Wild Avocado Tree in Costa Rica. (Persea sp.. Probably 



P. AMERICANA MILL.. S. P. I. NO. 51031.) 



This wild avocado, which, up to the present, has been observed only on the slopes of the volcano 

 Irazu, in central Costa Rica, is beheved by its discoverers, Wilson Popcnoc and Oton Jimenez, to 

 be the wild prototype of the cultivated Guatemalan race of avocados, and probably of the \\ est 

 Indian as well. It is quite distinct from the Mexican avocado both in appearance of tree and 

 foliage and in the character of the fruit. Because of its wild nature and the vigor of its growth it 

 is believed this avocado may be of value as a stock plant on which to graft cull ivated sorts. (Pho- 

 tographed by Wilson Popenoe, near La Palma, Costa Rica, June 9, 1920; P17902rS.) 



