1409 



Argania spinosa (Sapotaceae) , 46969. From Algiers. 

 Presented by Mr. T. H. Kearney of the U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture. "Seeds collected from an Argania tree 

 growing in the garden of the School of Medicine at 

 Algiers." (Kearney.) 



"A spiny, small-leaved tree from northern Africa, 

 belonging to the Sapotaceae. It is a much-branched 

 evergreen tree, attaining a height of from 20 to 30 

 feet. The fruits, the size of an olive, are used for 

 feeding stock. After the small kernels have been 

 roasted and ground, an oil of an irritating and harsh 

 taste is extracted from them. This is, nevertheless, 

 used in Morocco for food, and also for light. It makes 

 a good soap. The tree will grow in the driest soil, 

 and bears in four years. It is said not to be in full 

 bearing, however, unti-1 fifteen years old." (Swingle.) 



"The Argan tree is in many respects the most re- 

 markable plant of South Morocco; and it attracts the 

 more attention as it is the only tree that commonly 

 attains a large size, and forms a conspicuous feature 

 of the landscape in the low country near the coast. 

 In structure and properties it is nearly allied to the 

 tropical genus Sideroxylon ( Ironwood ) ; but there is e- 

 nough of general resemblance to the familiar olive tree 

 of the Mediterranean region, both in its mode of growth 

 and its economic uses, to make it the local repre- 

 sentative of that plant. Its home is the sub-littoral 

 zone of southwestern Morocco, where it is common between 

 the rivers Tensift and Sous. A few scattered trees only, 

 are said to be found north of the Tensift ; but it seems 

 to be not infrequent in the hilly district between the 

 Sous and the river of Oued Noun, making the total extent 

 of its distribution about 200 miles. Extending from 

 near the coast for a distance of 30 or 40 miles in- 

 land, it is absolutely unknown elsewhere in the world. 

 The trunk always divides at a height of 8 or 10 feet 

 from the ground, and sends out numerous, spreading, 

 nearly horizontal branches. The growth is apparently 

 very slow, and the trees that attain a girth of 12 to 

 15 feet are probably of great antiquity. The minor 

 branches and young shoots are beset with stiff, thick 

 spines, and the leaves are like those of the olive in 

 shape, but of a fuller green, somewhat paler on the 

 under side. Unlike the olive, the wood is of extreme 

 hardness, and seemingly indestructible by insects, as 

 we saw no example of a hollow trunk . The fruit, much 

 like a large olive in appearance, but varying much in 

 size and shape, is greedily devoured by goats, sheep, 



