1429 



Amorphophallus konjac (Araceae), 47226. Konyaku. 

 From Japan. Tubers collected by Mr. Walter T. Swingle, 

 Bureau of Plant Industry. "Starch from these tubers 

 is used for food in Japan. During the war the starch 

 prepared from this plant was exported to the United 

 States,- it is said to be used in treating aeroplane 

 wings. In Japan, konyaku is grown under the shade of 

 orange trees, and as it seems to be important both for 

 food and for industrial starch, I am anxious to see 

 what it will do in this country." (Swingle.) 



Annona senegalensis (Annonaceae) , 47214. Abo. From 

 Southern Provinces, Nigeria. Seeds presented by Mr. 

 A. H. Kirby, Asst. Director of Agriculture, Ibadan. 

 "No European production in any way resembles the 

 Annona senegalensis, with its large, blue-green leaf and 

 its small fruit. The fruit contains an aromatic, dark 

 red pulp, and in a modest degree displays something of 

 that captivating quality which has exalted its kindred 

 plant, the cherimoya of Peru, to its high repute as 

 the queen of fruits. It must be owned, however, that 

 it is difficult to secure a well-developed example of 

 this fruit, for so keenly is it spied out and devoured 

 by the birds that often for months together it may be 

 sought in vain." (Dr. George Schweinfurth, The Heart 

 of Africa, p. 222.) See S. P. I. No. 46630 for pre- 

 vious introduction. 



Barosma erenulata (Rutaceae), 47221 & 47222. Buchu. 

 From Cape Town, Union of South Africa. Seeds presented 

 by the Conservator of Forests. A small evergreen 

 shrub, with opposite or alternate, simple, dotted, 

 leathery leaves, in the axils of which the flowers 

 appear. The buchu leaves of commerce are procured 

 chiefly from B. erenulata, B. crenata, and B. serratifolia. The 

 leaves are much used in medicine as a stimulant and 

 tonic, and appear to have a specific effect in chronic 

 diseases of the bladder, their action probably being 

 dependent on the powerfully smelling, volatile oil 

 which they contain. (Adapted from Lindley, Treasury 

 of Botany, p. 125. ) 



Berberis polyantha (Berberidaceae) , 47299. Barberry. 

 From Wisley, Surrey, England. Plants presented by 

 Mr. Fred J. Chittenden, Director of the Royal Horti- 

 cultural Society ' s Gardens. A deciduous shrub, 6 to 10 

 feet high, with simple or three-pronged thorns , obovate 

 leaves, mostly rounded at the apex, and yellow flowers 



