18 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



41316 to 41341— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. O. F. Cook) 



the papaya. The trees grow with great rapidity and are extremely 

 prolific. It is known that superior varieties can he propagated asexually, 

 both by budding and by rooted cuttings.'' 



See Circular No. 119, Bureau of Plant Industry, for methods of propa- 

 gation. 



41340. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. Cheuopodiacese. Quinoa. 

 "(No. 2154. Cuzco, Peru, July 27, 1915.) Seeds of a large pigweed 



extensively cultivated in the high plateaus of Peru. The seeds are 

 eaten prepared in various ways, but the principal use is for making a 

 kind of chicha, or native beer. Before the introduction of barley and 

 wheat from Spain, quinoa and cahihua were probably the only seed crops 

 grown in the more elevated parts of Peru. Potatoes are always the 

 principal crop, with quinoa and canihua next, following with the other 

 tubers, oca, anyu, and ullucu. Quinoa presents many color variations in 

 the plants as well as in the seeds, especially in the direction of reds 

 and purples. The colored seeds are used almost exclusively for making 

 chicha, the white seeds being preferred for eating. A possibility of 

 utilizing the quinoa in the United States lies in its use as a breakfast 

 food. Some pronounce it as good as oatmeal, and one resident Scotch- 

 man even insisted that it was better. From a crop standpoint, too, 

 the plant appears rather promising, being very vigorous and produc- 

 tive. It is of erect habit, has a strong central stalk, and forms compact 

 heads, heavy with seed. There is no reason why it should not be gathered 

 and thrashed by machinery." 



For an illustration of the quinoa, see Plate V. 



41341. Cyphomandra calycina Sendt. Solanaeea?. Tree tomato. 

 " (No. 2058. Seeds from Ollantaytambo, Peru, July 29, 1915.) The plant 



attains a height of 4 to 5 feet with a single erect central stalk and spread- 

 ing horizontal branches like a small, flat-topped tree. The leaves are en- 

 tirely different from those of the tomato, being simple, entire, and broadly 

 oval. The surface of the leaves, as well as the petioles and branches, is 

 covered with a very short, minute, soft, velvety pubescence. The method 

 of branching is peculiar, as there appear to be two leaves on some of the 

 joints, those above the inflorescence, while the other internodes have a sin- 

 gle leaf. The buds are tinged with purplish pink, but the mature flowers 

 are nearly white. The fruits have a pointed oval or fusiform shape and 

 are borne in pendent clusters from near the ends of the branches. The 

 largest fruits found in the market of Cuzco measured 7 by 5 cm. The 

 largest diameter is somewhat below the middle of the fruit, the end 

 being more pointed than the base. The colors are Brazil red on the more 

 exposed surfaces and cadmium orange on the lighter parts, with many 

 intermediate shades .either in solid color or finely mottled. The skin is 

 thicker and tougher than that of the tomato and the outer layer of flesh 

 firmer. The placenta is large and fleshy, completely filling the interior of 

 the fruit, the seeds being confined mostly to a narrow zone between 

 the outer walls and the placenta. The freshly cut fruit has a pronounced 

 odor, as strong or stronger than that of the tomato, but of a somewhat 

 different quality. The taste, while much nearer to that of the tomato 

 than to any other fruit, is distinctly different. Some might find it more 

 pleasant and others not. In any event the fruit is distinctly edible, and 

 the plant laden with its fruits is curious enough to be grown for its own 

 sake and to allow the possibilities of the fruit to be tested. The habits 



