13 



1972. Michelia champ AC A. Champac. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild (No. 24) from the Castleton 

 Botanical Gardens. (3 packages.) 



The "sampige" of the Hindoos. The perfume distilled from the flowers is a mar- 

 ketable article. The fragrant wood of this tropical maguoliaceous tree is used for 

 cabinetwork. The odor of the flowers is said to be very powerful. 



1973. Ipomoea bqna-nox. Evening glory. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild (No. 22) at Port Antonio. (2 

 packages. ) 



An effective evening-blooming climber with very large white flowers and curious 

 onion-shaped seed pods with papery persistent calyxes. Leaves 6 inches in diam- 

 eter. Very vigorous; common about Port Antonio. Should be tried by planting 

 first m greenhouse. This rapidly growing "moon vine" is now commonly used as 

 an ornamental climber. 



1974. Averrhoa carambola. Carambola. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild at the Castleton Botanical 

 Gardens. (1 package.) 



This is the so-called carambola or caramba of the East Indies. The 5-parted 

 acute-angled cucumber-shaped fruit is deliciously acid and refreshing, with a crisp- 

 ness quite characteristic. If introduced into American markets it would be sure to 

 become popular as a table fruit. Seed taken from ripe flesh. A small tree from 

 Ceylon, of the family Oxalidaceae ; suitable for cultivation in Florida, Hawaii, and 

 Puerto Rico. 



1975. Manihot glaziovii. Ceara rubber. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild (No. 20) from the Castleton 

 Botanical Gardens. (1 package.) 



This furnishes the Ceara rubber of commerce. A tree in the gardens at Castleton 

 was growing finely" The seeds require often twelve months to germinate, and 

 those showing discoloration are the oldest and will germinate first. Should be 

 kept continually moist in seed bed. (See No. 1926.) Experiments with this rapidly 

 growing tree should be started in Puerto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands. It is a 

 native of the semi-arid coastal districts of Brazil. 



1976. IXORA MACROTHYRSA. Ixora. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild at the Castleton Botanical 

 Gardens. (1 package.) 

 A showy, red-flowered rubiaceous shrub from Malaga. Flowers in large numbers. 

 Berries red and decorative. Suited admirably for the greenhouse. 



1977. Oyphomandra betacea. Tree tomato. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild from the grounds of Mr. W. W. 

 Wynn, at "Brokenkurst," Mandeville. (1 package.) 



Grows into a tree 10 to 15 feet high, bearing rather showy red or yellowish-red 

 fruits, which are very much relished by Europeans in Jamaica. It is a compara- 

 tively recent introduction in Jamaica, I am told. The flesh is harder and firmer 

 than ordinary tomatoes, and sweetish. Eaten here, after peeling off the thick rind, 

 with sugar and cream or salt and pepper, or as an apple would be. The plant is a 

 rapid grower and can be propagated by seed or cuttings with readiness. Botani- 

 cally it is a close relative of the tomato. 



1978. Passiflora maliformis. Sweet cup. 



From Jamaica. Secured by Mr. D. G. Fairchild from the grounds of Mr. W. W. 

 Wynn, " Brokenhurst," near Mandeville. (1 package.) 



A vigorous tree bearing abundance of fruits the size of a small hen's egg, lemon- 

 yellow when ripe, with a rind so hard that it requires cracking with a hammer. 

 The numerous black seeds are surrounded by a refreshing grape-flavored flesh simi- 

 lar to the 'passion fruit' of Australia. A highly esteemed dessert fruit seen occa- 

 sionally on tables in Jamaica. Undoubtedly introduced. (See No. 1903.) 



