74 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 
Alysicarpus vaginalis. YERBA DE CONTRABANDO. ; 
A small creeping, shrubby leguminous plant with single leaflets and clusters 
of subcylindrical pods breaking up into single sections, of which the outer surface 
is irregularly reticulate. Reported from a single station, Boca Vieja, near the 
mouth of the Bayamon River. Our specimens were obtained in two localities 
near Ponce. (Stahl, 3: 158.) 
Amaranthus paniculatus. PIGWEED. BLEDO BLANCO. 
Collected by Sintenis at Guanica. 
Amaranthus tristis. PIGWEED. 
A common pigweed very similar to our well-known garden pest, Amaranthus 
retroflexus. ‘ 
Ambrosia. ARTEMISA. 
A specimen of Ambrosia (no. 966) collected at Catano appears to be the same 
as Sintenis no. 196b, from Bayamon, but a specific identification has not been 
made. 
American nutmeg. See Monodora myristica. 
Ammannia humilis. YERBA DE CANCER. 
Family Lythraceae; this species and A. latifolia share the common name and 
are annual herbs growing in ditches and overflowed places. A. coccinea, variety 
purpurea, is reported from Guanica. (Stahl, 4: 128.) 
Amor sin zelo. 
An ornamental apocynaceous plant, evidently closely related to Allamanda, and 
having similar large yellow flowers, but not yet identified. 
Amphilophium paniculatum. LIANA DE CUELLO. 
Family Bignoniaceae; a hexagonal vine, scaly-pubescent and much branched; it 
is found both near the sea and in the mountains; flowers in winter. (Stahl, 6: 
182.) 
Amomis caryophyllata. BAYBERRY TREE. BAY RUM TREE. WILD CINNA- 
MON. AUSU. 
Variously reported by Bello. Krug, Stahl, and Sintenis as ‘‘ausu,’’ *‘ auzu,”’ 
** guayavita,’’ ** limoncillo,”’ *‘ malagueta,”’ and *‘ pimienta malagueta.’’ A myr- 
taceous tree, from the dried leaves of which is obtained by distillation with water 
an essential oil, called ** bay oil”’ or ** oil of bay,’’ the most important ingredient 
of bay rum. Only a pint and a half of oil is said to be required for the medica- 
tion of 100 gallons of rum. The latter should be of good quality and strength. 
If below 18 or 19 proof it will not properly incorporate the oil. Large quantities 
of dried leaves of this species are imported from the West Indies, notably from 
the island of Dominica. They are generally put up into bales of about 200 pounds 
in weight. It is not known that any leaves have been shipped from Porto Rico, 
but in 1895, 95 gallons of bay oil, valued at $1,390, and 12,544 gallons of bay rum, 
valued at $6,414, were exported. The trees occur in all parts of the island and are 
said to be abundant in some districts on the south side. The industry is worthy 
of investigation as one probably capable of profitable expansion, although not 
likely to become of more than minor and local importance. 
In the fresh condition the leaves of this tree have the taste and odor of lemon, 
whence fhe propriety of the name ‘‘limoncillo’’ or ‘‘little lemon.*’ Although ~ 
more common in Porto Rico as a shrub, this species is said to grow to a height of 
35 or 40 feet (11 or 12 meters) and to attain a diameter of a foot (30 centimeters) or 
more; the wood is light-colored, mottled, very hard and heavy. Captain Hansard 
reports that the tree is cultivated at Maunabo and at other points for the sake of 
the leaves. 
There are probably several other myrtaceous trees which share with this the 


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