740 



Acrocomia sclerocarpa. (Phoenicaceae . ) 37382. Seeds of 

 the macauba palm from Lavras , Minas Geraes, Brazil. "A 

 beautiful pinnate leaved species which grows wild in this 

 region. The trunk reaches a height of 50 feet or more and 

 is profusely covered with sharp spines, varying from 1 to 

 4 inches in length, and black in color. Its distribution 

 in this part of Brazil is very v/ide; we have observed con- 

 siderable groves at altitudes of 300 meters, which leads 

 to the belief that it may prove adaptable to southern 

 California. The leaves are very graceful and somewhat 

 finer than Cocos plumosa. As an ornamental plant this palm 

 should be of value. The fruit is produced in clusters 

 sometimes weighing 30 or 40 kilos. The hard kernel is 

 surrounded by a thick layer of white starchy material, 

 somewhat mucilaginous in texture. Hogs are very fond of 

 the fruits. According to Mr. Hunnicutt of the Escola 

 Agricola, they will eat them in preference to corn, and 

 they are said to be very fattening." (Dorsett, Popenoe and 

 Shamel introduction.) For distribution later. 



Aralia cordata. (Araliaceae . ) 37145-152. Roots of the 

 udo from Yokohama, Japan. Purchased from L. Boehmer and 

 company. Ten of the best udo varieties from Kanagawa ken, 

 introduced for comparison with the varieties already in- 

 troduced and for selection. For distribution later. 



Aristoclesia escule7^ta. (Clusiaceae . ) 37384. Seeds from 

 Lavras, Minas Geraes, Brazil. "From a row of trees grow- 

 ing in the grounds of the Institute Evangelico. The fruit 

 which is now ripe (January 22) is called Limao do matto 

 (lemon of the forest) by the natives. The trees are 20 to 

 25 feet in height, pyramidal in form, and handsome in 

 appearance with their deep green glossy foliage. The 

 leaves are 4 to 6 inches in length, oblong lanceolate, 

 acute at the apex, thick, stiff, the veins scarcely visi- 

 ble on the upper surface, prominent beneath. In general 

 characteristics the fruit is almost identical with that of 

 Rheedia brasiliensis . The form is elliptical, frequently 

 tapering at both ends and even prominently pointed at the 

 apex. The length is about 2 inches, diameter 1^ inches, 

 color bright orange yellow. Stem three-fourths to one 

 inch in length, stout; skin about one-eighth inch or 

 more in thickness, terebinthaceous and disagreeable in 

 taste, rather brittle, easily separable from the snowy 

 white pulp which surrounds the seeds. The flavor is acid 

 unless the fruit is almost over-ripe, and strongly re- 

 sembles that of Lansium domesticum. The character of the 

 pulp is similar to that of the mangosteen, melting, .luicy 

 and beautiful in appearance. The seeds vary from 1 to 3, 

 2 being the commonest number, and are oblong-oval in form, 



