16 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



36967 to 36978— Contd. (Quoted notes by Mr. Dorsett and others.) 



virtually, not united iu one compound fruit as in the pineapple. Should 

 be tried in California and Florida. The name gravata is applied to a 

 number of bromelias here." 



For illustrations of the gravata plant and fruit, see Plates I and II. 



36968. Eugenia dombeyi (Spreng.) Skeels. Grumichama. 

 (Eugenia brasilicnsis Lam.) 



"(No. 34a. December 13, 1913.) The grumichama or grumixama, a 

 myrtaceous fruit, native of Brazil, both for its ornamental value and its 

 fruit is worthy of a careful trial in California and Florida. The tree, 

 which grows to 25 or 30 feet in height, is shapely and densely clothed with 

 glossy deep-green foliage. The individual leaves are elliptical, about 4 

 inches in length, thick, and leathery. The fruits ripen here in November, 

 and in general appearance very much resemble cherries. The form is round 

 or slightly flattened, the color deep crimson. The stem is 1 inch or more 

 in length. The thin skin incloses a soft, tender pulp, of mild and delicate 

 flavor. The seeds, one to three in number, are rounded or hemispherical, 

 about one-fourth to three-eighth of an inch in length. The grumichama 

 is one of the most agreeably flavored myrtaceous fruits we have tasted, 

 and in addition the tree is a beautiful and shapely ornamental." 



For an illustration of the grumichama fruit, see Plate III. 



36969. Ceotaxakia betusa L. 



"(No. 35a. December 19, 1913.) Seed from two plants in the orange 

 orchard of Col. Baretto, Cabulla. Plants 2 to 3 feet high, producing 

 from 2 to 5 main branches, each bearing from 6 to 12 seed pods contain- 

 ing 12 to 20 seeds each. Root development extensive, the roots finely 

 branched and covered with medium-sized nodules. The root system closely 

 resembles that of vetch. Stems succulent, and it plowed under at the 

 time would quickly decompose. This plant is self-sown in all the orchards 

 we have visited. Dr. Argollo says it is particularly suited for dry or 

 semidry lands, and he predicts that it may become a very useful cover 

 crop for southern California and other semiarid regions." 



36970. Phaseolus vulgaris L. Bean. 



"(No. 36a. December 19, 1913.) The pink bean, feijao, which is the 

 source of feijoada, one of the principal foods of the poorer class of Bra- 

 zilians. Bought in the public market of Bahia at 240 reis (8 cents) per 

 liter. Said to have been grown at Alagoinhas, in the interior of Bahia 

 State." 



36971. Citrus aubantium L. Sour orange 



"(No. 37a. December 19, 1913.) Laranja da terra. Seed from fruits 

 grown by Col. Demetrio Luiz de Souza, Cruz do Cosme, near Bahia. This 

 is the principal stock for the laranja <le umbigo, or navel orange. For 

 trial in California and Florida as stocks for other citrus fruiis." 



36972. Cocos cokonata Mart. Nicuri palm. 



"(No. 38a. December 19, V.n\\.\ Seeds of the Nicuri or Alicuri palm, 

 from the vicinity of Matatu, near Bahia. For a description of the plant, 

 see S. P. I. 3G927." 





