28 



SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



" The fruit reaches maturity by the end of September at Lake Amatitlan 

 and is then picked for market, but the quality would doubtless be much better 

 if it were left on the tree some time longer. In exces.'-ivel.v wet weather the 

 fruits fall as soon as they are mature. With less soil moisture they hang 

 on longer." (Wilsmi Popenoe.) 



55737. Tabebuia pextaphylla (L.) Henisl. Bignoniaceae. 



From St. Croix. Virgin Islands. Seeds presented by J. B. Thompson, 

 agronomist in charge, Agricultural Experiment Station. Received 

 August 25. 1922. 



This tree is native in the West Indies and Central America and is often 

 cultivated as an ornamental. 



"The matiliscuate is a handsome flowering tree found in north-central 

 Guatemala, especially in the Valley of Salama. and commonly growing near 

 small streams. I have seen it at altitudes of 2,000 to 3.500 feet. The tree is 

 about 35 feet high at maturity, with a spreading crown, deciduous during the 

 latter part of the dry season (January to March), and producing large clusters 

 of pink flowers which make the tree a mass of color visible for some distance. 

 Its flowering season is from January to March, and the seeds, which are 

 prcKluced in long slender pods, ripen in May and June. 



"As an ornamental tree for cultivation in southern Florida and possibly also 

 in California, the matiliscuate seems well worthy of trial. The only defect 

 of this plant is the habit of dropping its leaves during the dry months of the 

 year. If it flowers in tlie .same months in Florida as in Guatemala, it should 

 be a valuable addition to the flowering trees of that region. It thrives on heavy 

 but rocky land and does not seem to require a large supply of water." {Wil- 

 son Popenoe.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44998. 



55738. Paullixia cupaxa Kunth. Sapindaceae. Guarana. 



From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Seeds presented by Dr. J. Simao da Costa, 

 through Dr. W. L. Schurz, commercial attach^ of the American Embassy. 

 Received September 6, 1922. 



A stout, bushy vine found wild in Venezuela and northwestern Brazil and 

 also cultivated in the latter country for the sake of the grapelike fruits, from 

 which is obtained the product known as guarana. This, in the form of a 

 black paste, has received considerable attention in the pharmaceutical world 

 in recent years as a natural source of caffein. 



The following analysis shows the composition of guarana : 



Per cent. 



Starch 9. 350 



Glucose . 777 



Pectic acid, malic acid, dextrin, 



etc 7. 470 



Vegetable fiber 49. 125 



Water 7. 650 



Per cent. 



Caffein 5. 388 



Essential oil 2.950 



Resin 7. 800 



Coloring matter 1. 570 



Saponin . 060 



Guarana-tannic acid 5. 002 



Pyro-guarana acid 2. 750 



Owing to the fact that guarana is so rich in caffein, a small dose enables 

 a man to endure extraordinary hardship, and taken sparingly it is said to be 

 excellent for intestinal trouble. 



The Mauhe district in Para, Brazil, produces about 25 tons of guarana paste 

 annually, and the cultivation of the plant has recently been begun in the States 

 of Goyaz and Rio de Janeiro. A number of new and successful pharmaceuti- 

 cal compounds contain this product. (Adapted from Bulletin of the Pan 

 American Union, vol. 51, p. 268.) 



55739 to 55747. 



From Avondale. Auckland, New Zealand. Budwood and trees presented by 

 H. R. Wright. Received September 13. 1922. Quoted notes by Mr. 

 Wright. 



