90 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



44912 and 44913. Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendt. Solana- 



ceae. Tree-tomato. 



From Guayaquil, Ecuador. Presented by Dr. Frederic W. Goding, Ameri- 

 can consul general. Received June 25, 1917. 



" The fruit is delicious; it is eaten in the raw state or as preserves." {God- 

 ing. ) 



For a general description, see S. P. I. No. 44846. 



44912^. " Yellow tree-tomato. December 4, 1916." 



44913. " White tree-tomato. December 6. 1916." 



44914 to 44921. 



From Zacuapam, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Secured from Dr. C. A. Purpus. Re- 

 ceived June 25, 1917. 



44914. Acacia spadicigera Cham, and Schlecht. Mimosacefe. 



Bull-horn acacia. 

 "An interesting shrub or small tree, with spreading branches armed 

 with thorns resembling the horns of a bull and consequently called, to- 

 gether with its allies, iull-horn acacia. The thorns attracted the atten- 

 tion of early botanists from the fact that they are usually hollowed out 

 and inhabited by stinging ants which serve as oodyguards, protecting 

 the plant from herbivorous animals. The present species is very closely 

 allied to Acacia corniyera of Linnaeus, if not identical with that species. 

 The hollow, indehiscent pods, terminating in sharp spines, inclose a num- 

 ber of hard seeds surrounded by a sugary aril which is much x-elished. by 

 cattle and other animals." {W. E. Safford.) 



44915. Amaranthus sp. Amaranthacese. Amaranth. 

 Quelite. " This is used as a vegetable, tasting like spinach. It grows 



about the houses and fields and does not need any care." (Purpus.) 



44916. Cacara ekosa (L.) Kuntze. Fabacese. Yam bean. 

 (Pachyrhisus angulatus Rich.) 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 44839. 



44917 and 44918. Exogonium purga (Wender. ) Benth. Convolvulacese. 

 (Ipomoea purga Hayne.) Jalap. 



A perennial twining vine which bears handsome rose-purple flowers 

 similar to those of the common morning-glory. It is a native of the 

 eastern slopes of the mountains of western Mexico, at altitudes of 5,000 

 to 8,000 feet, in regions where rain is very frequent and abundant. It 

 is cultivated in Mexico and also in other tropical places for the salie of 

 the drug which is extracted from the dried tubers. In cultivation the 

 plant requires a rich forest loam, and must be supported by trellises. 

 (Adapted from the National Standard Dispensatory, p. 834-) 



44917. "Wild form." (Purpus.) 



44918. " Cultivated form, from the sierras around Mount Orizaba." 

 ( Purpus. ) 



44919. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Solanacese. Tomato. 



" Var. eerasiforme. Growing wild in bean fields." (Purpus.) 



A variety which is smaller and more erect than the common tomato 

 and has smaller, more numerous, and grayer leaves. The globular red 



