Inventory 61, Seeds and Plants Imported. 



Plate I. 



An African Persimmon Tree, the Inkulu, in Full Bearing. (Dio- 



SPYROS SENEGALENSIS PERR., S. P. I. No. 48454.) 



One of the most interesting plants fonnd by Dr. H. L. Shantz in the Belgian Kongo is the inkulu. 

 Its fruits are somewhatlike our persimmons in general character; when green they are quite 

 astringent, but after becoming fully ripe they have a delicious, sweet flavor. The wood,' like 

 that of many other species of Diospyros, is hard, dark colored, and of considerable value. 

 Dr. Shantz found marked variation in the si^.o, shape, and flavor of fruits on the wild trees. 

 Selection would probably produce varieties of superior merit. The plant is rather drought 

 resistant, but would probably stand very little frost. (Photographed by Dr. H. L. Shantz, 

 Kafue, Northern Rhodesia, November 22, 1919; P36771FS.) 



