1443 



Abroma augusta (Sterculiaceae) , 47349. Abroma. From 

 Nice, France. Seeds presented by Dr. A. Robertson- 

 Fr os chows ky, Jardin d 'Acclimatation. A large spreading 

 shrub, native of tropical Asia, with the large angled 

 leaves and the branches covered with soft hairs. The 

 large purple flowers occur in great profusion during 

 the rains; and the seeds ripen in the cold season. 

 The bark of the twigs yields a fiber, much valued for 

 its great beauty, softness, cheapness, and durability, 

 which might be used to advantage as a substitute for 

 silk. The plant yields three crops a year. The bark 

 of the root is used medicinally. (Adapted from Watt's 

 Dictionary of the Economic Plants of India, vol . 1 . p. 8 . ) 



Achmdelpha mammosa (Sapotaceae) , 47424. Sapote. 

 From Guayaquil, Ecuador. Seeds presented by Mr. Fred- 

 erick W. Goding, American consul general. "A fruit 

 about the size of a teacup, resembling a potato in 

 general appearance, and having a rough, dark greenish 

 brown skin mottled with sordid yellow. The edible 

 portion is red, soft, and sweet, with a peculiar but 

 pleasant flavor; in the center of the -edible portion 

 is a shuttle-shaped seed about two inches long, of a 

 chestnut-brown color and always split along one side. 

 Within the hard, thin, shining shell is a white kernel. " 

 (Goding. ) 



Annona squamosa (Annonaceae) , 47434. Sugar-apple. 

 From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Seeds presented byMr. T. 

 R. Day, Chief of the Industrial Department, Leopoldina 

 Railway Co. Ltd. "Seed of the pina (Fructo de Conde) , 

 of a very special variety. This is not the very large 

 kind, but it is the best flavored I have ever found 

 in the country. This fruit will no doubt grow in most 

 parts of Florida and California, and possibly might 

 do well in Arizona under irrigation." (Day.) 



Butia capitata pulposa (Phoenicaceae) , 47350. Palm. 

 From Nice, France. Seeds presented by Dr. A. Robertson- 

 Proschowsky, Jardin d 'Acclimatation. "A hardy palm 

 from southern Brazil, belonging to the same group as 

 the species commonly cultivated in California as Cocos 

 australis, C. yatay , and C. eriospatha. The trunk is 6 to 12 

 feet tall, by 1% to 2 feet in diameter, with rather 

 short, abruptly arched leaves, 6 to 9 feet long. The 

 petioles are armed with stout spines. The fruit is 

 yellow, about 1 inch long by l inches in diameter, 

 and the pulp is of a texture and taste somewhat like 

 that of the pineapple." (C. B. Doyle.) 



