ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO. Did 

COOK AND COLLINS 
Phoenix dactylifera. Darr. Dart. 
The date palm has been introduced into Porto Rico, and while the trees reach 
a considerable size, particularly on the drier southern side of the island, it is not 
known that any fruit of good quality has been produced. Specimens of a date 
palm were obtained by Sintenis at Puerto Real near Cabo Rojo, and it is in that 
region that the tree might be expected to thrive best in Porto Rico, and the 
results of experiments which have been made would be of interest. 
Although the date palm grows with apparent vigor in Porto Rico it is not 
likely that it will ripen fruit of marketable quality, as the climate is too cool and 
too moist. The date reaches perfection only in desert regions, and while it can 
stand slight frosts it must have exceedingly hot weather during the ripening 
season. That the tree will flourish is no indication that it will produce good 
frait. In the Canary Islands an indigenous species of date palm is extensively 
grown for the sake of the leaves, which are made into baskets and serve other 
domestic purposes, but the fruit is nearly worthless, and genuine date palms 
which have been introduced do not succeed. 
As yet dates are not known to have been successfully raised in America except 
in the desert regions of Arizona, California, and Mexico. In the latter country 
the date was introduced very early and was spread to Lower and Upper California 
by the Spanish missionaries. Although, according to Forbes’s ‘‘ California,’’ 
dates and figs were exported from Lower California as early as 1837, the industry 
has not been greatly developed, owing, perhaps, to the fact that only seedlings 
were planted. Of late it has been found that the date succeeds well in the 
extremely dry and hot regions of Arizona, and cuttings of superior varieties have 
been imported in order that fruit of uniform, marketable quality may be secured. 
Pholacilia diversifolia. See Trichilia simplicifolia. 
Phoradendron chrysocarpum. PaTA DE GALLINA. 
A parasitic shrub of the family Loranthaceae. Bello gives the name ‘‘ yerba 
capitana’’ for Phoradendron berterianum, which Urban refers to the present 
species. (Urban, Add. 4: 357.) 
Phoradendron dichotomum. YERBA CAPITANA. 
A parasitic shrub said to have been found on Mangifera indica in Haiti, but 
known elsewhere only from native trees. 
Phoradendron quadrangulare. YERBA CAPITANA. 
Also called *‘ quasimilla de Canario.’’ A parasitic shrub related to the mistle- 
toe. It attacks numerous species of native trees. 
Phthirusa emarginata. 
Family Lauraceae; reported from Aybonito. 
Phthirusa parvifolia. 
From Guanica. 
Phthirusa portoricensis. See Psychotria pendula. 
Phyllanthus grandifolius. 
Family Euphorbiaceae; reported from Manati. 
Phyllanthus nobilis antillanus. 
From Fajardo and Aybonito. 
Phyllocactus stenopetalus. 
. Family Cactaceae; cultivated in gardens at Penuelas. (Sintenis.) 
Physalis angulata. SacaBUCHE ANGULOSO. s 
Family Solanaceae; an herbaceous annual, 50 centimeters high, found in various 
parts of the island. The fruits are edible and in Jamaica are called winter cher- 
ries. The plant is one of the ground-cherry group. (Stahl, 6: 122.) 
Physalis linkiana. 
An herbaceous annual or weed; from near Guanica. 
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