54 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



40000 to 40039— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. F. N. Meyer.) 



new fruiting bush for the semiarid sections of the United States, col- 

 lected at an altitude of 6,500 feet. See also remarks under No. 2127a 

 [S. P. I. No. 39432]." 



40024. Diospybos lotus L. Diospyracese. Persimmon. 

 "(No. 2162a. Hsiku, Kansu, China. October 20, 1914.) A variety 



of Ohoorma persimmon, with fruits much larger than the ordinary sort; 

 shape also different, being flattened globose; color yellow, changing later 

 on into blackish. Taste much like a kaki, making one think that D. 

 lotus possibly could be developed into a promising fruit-bearing tree 

 adapted especially for mild-wintered semiarid regions." 



40025. Schizandra sphenanthera Rehd. and Wilson. Magnoliacere. 

 "(No. 2163a. Paoki, Shensi, China. September 12, 1914.) A peren- 

 nial woody vine of slender growth, found between tall scrub in shady 

 places; foliage not unlike that of Actinidia kolomikta, but somewhat 

 thinner and with red petioles. The carmine-red berries are borne in 

 small spikes on fleshy stalks, and they hang down gracefully ; these 

 berries are the size of currants ; they possess a subacid, spicy, aromatic 

 taste, somewhat too pronounced to make it acceptable right away to 

 most Caucasian people. The Chinese eat them much and claim they 

 purify the blood and dislodge waste matter from the body. By selection 

 better varieties could be obtained, no doubt, which might prove to be 

 quite acceptable to the western palate. This vine deserves to be experi- 

 mented with for the following purposes : As an ornamental cover vine 

 for shady places, as a possible new fruiting vine to be grown on trellises 

 on northern exposures, and as a medicinal plant having apparently some 

 value as a blood cleanser. Chinese name Wu wei tzu, meaning ' fruit of 

 five tastes.' " 



40026. Vitis sp. Vitacese. Grape. 



"(No. 2164a. Near Kwanyintang (between Paoki and Fenghsien), 

 Shensi, China. September 15, 1914.) Wild grapes, overrunning tall scrub 

 and trees on mountain sides at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,000 feet. 

 The small bunches of blackish blue berries are collected by the people 

 and eaten, but no attempts seem to be made to domesticate these wild 

 grapes. Of value possibly in breeding experiments, as stocks, and as 

 ornamental cover vines for pergolas, etc. There may be several distinct 

 forms among these seeds." 



40027. Dipelta yunnanensis Franchet. Caprifoliacese. 



"(No. 2165a. Near Paoji (near Hsiku), Kansu, China. November 6, 

 1914.) A shrub of the appearance of a Lonicera when seen in winter, 

 but bearing triangular winged fruits. Cuttings sent under No. 1229 [S. 

 P. I. No. 39905], which see for further information." 



40028. Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. Trochodendracea?. Tuchung. 

 "(No. 2166a. Huihsien, Kansu, China. September 28, 1914.) A Chi- 

 nese caoutchouc tree, found wild on densely forested mountain slopes in 

 southwestern Shensi and southeastern Kansu; also much cultivated in 

 gardens and here and there planted along roadsides. This tree has the 

 peculiar property of exhibiting rubberlike threads of shining whitish 

 color whenever pieces of bark or leaf are snapped across, but it shows 

 this peculiarity strongest of all in its winged fruits, which fact is 

 often shown by the Chinese to those who have never seeu it before. 



