STURTEV ant's NOTES ON EDIBLE PLANTS 243 



unattractive yellow color and covered with a rust-colored farina. It is occasionally eaten 

 but is not palatable." It is eaten by the natives. ^ 



D. kaki Linn, date plum. Japanese persimmon, kaki. keg-fig. 



Japan. This plant has been cultivated in Japan for a long period and has produced 

 many varieties, some of which are seedless. The fruit, in general, is as large as an ordinary 

 apple, of a bright color, and contains a semi-transparent pulp. The tree is cultivated in 

 India and in China and was seen in Japan by Thunberg,^ 1776. It was introduced into 

 the United^States from Japan by the Perry expedition and one of these trees is still grow- 

 ing at Washington. About 1864, others were imported; in 1877, 5000 plants in ten vaiie- 

 ties were brought to America. This persimmon is now grown in California, Georgia 

 and elsewhere. The fruit is described as delicious by all who have eaten the best 

 varieties. 



D. lanceaefolia Roxb. 



East India. This is an eastern fruit, said by Kotschy * to have a taste similar to 

 chocolate. 



D. lotus Linn, false lote-tree. 



Temperate Asia. The fruit is the size of a cherry, yellow when ripe, sweet with 

 astringency.^ The sweetish fruit is much prized by the Afghan tribes, who eat it fresh 

 or dried * and use it in sherbets. 



D. melanoxylon Roxb. coromandel ebony. 



East Indies and Ceylon. The yellow fruit is about one to one and one-half inches 

 through, with soft, sweet, slightly astringent flesh, which is eaten and is refreshing.^ 



D. obtusifolia Willd. 



South America. This is the sapota negro, with small, black, edible fruit.* 



D. pentamera Woods & F. Muell. gray plum. 



Eastern tropical Australia. The fruits, which are produced in great abundance, are 

 eaten by the aborigines.' 



D. pilosanthera Blanco. 



Philippines. The fruit of this tree is eaten."" 



D. tetraspenna Sw. wattle tree. 



Jamaica. The fruit is eaten by negroes."" 



lAinslie, W. Mat. Ind. 2:27%. 1826. 

 Drary, H. Useful Pis. Ini. 195. 1873. 

 Thunberg, C. P. Fl. Jap. 157. 1784. 



* Unger, F. U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt. 344. 1859. 

 Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 4:38. 1838. 



Brandis, D. Forest Fl. 298. 1874. 

 ' Brandis, D. Forest FL 296. 1874. 



> Don, G. Hist. Dichl. Pis. 4:39. 1838. 



Black, A. A. Treas. Bot. 1:223. 1870. 

 " Pickering, C. Chron. Hist, of Pis. 917. 1879. 

 " Lunan, J. Hort. Jam. 2:318. 1814. 



