INVENTORY/ 



48427. EcHiNOCHLOA STAGNiNA (Retz) Beauv. Poaceae. 



{Panicum stagninum Retz.) Maruka grass 



From Rizal, Luzon, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. Adn. Hernandez, 

 Director of Agriculture, Manila, through Prof. C. V. Piper. Numbere<? 

 November 12, 1919. 



"A tall-growing grass much resembling Japanese millet but with longer awns. 

 The grass is native in the Philippines, Africa, India, and probably most of the 

 Indo-Malayan region. It was originally described by Rumphius from specimens 

 from Batavia, Java. The grass commonly grows in shallow water or on very 

 marshy ground. In the Philippines it covers large areas of nearly pure growth, 

 and at the lower end of Laguna de Bay extensive areas are found on a floating 

 mass of vegetable matter. Quantities of this green grass are sold in the Manila 

 market, where it is known as balili. The grass has many vernacular names in 

 India, among which are the following: dul, dula, pedda-uda, nari, shangalU- 

 gaddi, pedda-woondoo ; in Sunda, tja^npea; in Ceylon, maruka. The common 

 name used in Ceylon is chosen as a common name for this grass, which therefore 

 may be called ' maruka grass.' Panicum burgu Chev., of the Niger River, is 

 considered identical by some botanists, but others regard it at least sub- 

 specifically distinct. The grass is introduced in the hope that it may be valu- 

 able on extensive areas of land in Florida periodically overflowed. In most 

 regions it is reported to be not particularly palatable." (Piper.) 



48428 to 48503. 



From Johannesburg, Transvaal. Collected by Mr. J. Burtt Davy. Received 

 October 29, 1919. Quoted notes by Mr. Davy, except as otherwise stated, 

 48428. Acacia fallens (Benth.) Rolfe. Mimosacese. Knob thorn. 



" (No. 207.) From Bosoli Siding, Southern Rhodesia, One of the 

 more valuable timbers for mine props." 



A valuable timber tree, 30 feet in height, with a heavy wood, used for 

 making clubs ; the timber is exceedingly hard and is durable under ground. 

 It is considered to be one of the most valuable hardwood trees in the 

 Transvaal and is cut extensively for mine props for the Rand, It is 



^ All introductions consist of seeds unless otherwise noted. 



It should be understood that the varietal names of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and other 

 plants used in these inventories are those which the material bore when received by the 

 Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction ; and further, that the printing of such 

 names here does not constitute their official publication and adoption in this country. 

 As the different varieties are studied, their identity fully established, their entrance into 

 the American trade forecast, and the use of varietal names for them in American litera- 

 ture becomes necessary, the foreign varietal designations appearing in these inventories 

 will in many cases undoubtedly be changed by the specialists interested in the various 

 groups of plants and the forms of the names brought into harmony with recognized 

 American codes of nomenclature. 



