NEW SPECIES OF MANIHOT 



167 



The New Species of Manihot. — A short description may 



now be given of the three new rubber-yielding species of 

 Manihot, M. dicliotoma, M. JieptapJiTjlla, and J/, j^^'^uhy- 

 ensis, which were discovered recently by Ule in Brazil. 



Manihot dicJiotoma, Ule. — M. dicliotoma is a small tree, 

 16 to 40 ft. in height, which usually has a pale bark and 

 develops a densely branched crown. The leaves are 

 membranous, divided into three to five segments (peltate 

 only in the seedlings), and are much smaller than those 

 of M. Glaziovii. It differs also from the latter tree in 

 having large ellipsoidal seeds. 



It occurs in the south-eastern portion of the State of 

 Bahia, between the Rio Paraguassu and the Rio das 

 Contas. The tree is generally known as the Jequie 

 Manigoba from the toAvn of Jequie, which is the centre 

 of the rubber industry in the district. It appears to 

 thrive best on red loamy soil, but it is also found more 

 rarely on sandy soil. 



The seeds of this species are stated to germmate very 

 readily. 



Manihot hepta'phylla, Ule. — M. heptaphylla is a much 

 smaller tree than M. dichotoma, only attaining a height 

 of from 10 to 25 ft. ; it has a short stem which is covered 

 with blackish-brown bark and the twigs are purple. 

 The leaves are oblanceolate, dark green, and usually 

 divided into seven segments. The seeds resemble those of 

 M. Glaziovii in shape, but they are rather larger and 

 lighter m colour. 



This species is found in the State of Bahia on the 

 right bank of the Rio San Francisco, especially in the 

 mountainous districts of the Serra do Encaibro, Serra do 

 Tombador, and Serra do Assurua. 



* From trees 20 years old at altitude of over 3,000 ft, 



t From 300 trees, 8 to 20 years old, at altitude of 1,500 ft. 



