17 



3483. Sapindus marginatus. Soap-berry. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



It is a native of the low lands of Florida, where it forms a medium-sized tree, 

 bearing bunches of yellow fruit which are about one-half inch in diameter. It may 

 also prove to be a source of saponin, like No. 3482. Distributed. 



3484. Arbutus andrachne. 



From Palermo, Sicilv. Donated bv Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of 'Palermo", through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



"An ornamental from the eastern Mediterranean region, related to the strawberry 

 tree, Arbutus unedo (No. 2657, inventory No. 5). It is a native of Greece and Asia 

 Minor, is taller than the strawberry tree, attaining a height of from 20 to 30 feet, and 

 has larger fruits, borne singly. This species, as well as the Arbutus canariensis (see No. 

 815, inventory No. 1, and No. 3485), should be hybridized with the common straw- 

 berry tree in the hope of originating a new fruit. No fruit is more beautiful than 

 that of the strawberry tree, but unfortunately the flavor is rather insipid. This 

 species is hardy in England if protected when young by being grown in pots until 2 

 or 3 feet high. There are several native species of Arbutus in the southwestern 

 United States, where most of them are called Madrofla. Some of these bear edible 

 fruits and should also be utilized by plant breeders." (Swingle.) 



3485. Arbutus canariensis. Madrono. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



"A beautiful evergreen tree attaining a height of 40 feet. It is, as the name indi- 

 cates, a native of the Canary Islands. It has pretty, rose-colored flowers in racemes, 

 followed by orange-colored fruits about 1 inch in diameter, which are very beautiful 

 as seen against the shining green foliage. The fruits are sweeter and more pulpy 

 than those of the strawberry tree, and are considered very good by the natives in 

 spite of their rather numerous seeds. The bark is smooth and very thin, the wood 

 rose-colored and useful in cabinet-making. This, as well as the preceding number, 

 should be used by plant breeders in hybridizing with the strawberry tree. ' ' (Swingle. ) 



3486. DURANTA BRACHYPODA. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated bv Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



"This small tree is a species described from the Botanic Garden of Palermo, 

 although doubtless native in South or Central America, as are the other species of 

 the genus. This as well as the common Duranta plumieri (No. 3487) is a handsome 

 ornamental, bearing a profusion of blue or violet flowers in racemes at the end of the 

 branches. These two are the most handsome species grown in the Botanic Garden 

 of Palermo." (Swingle.) Distributed. 



3487. Duranta plumieri. 



From Palermo, Sicilv. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo", through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Labeled B. microphUla, a name given as synonymous with D. plumieri in the Kew 

 Index. This spiny Mexican shrub is the best-known species of the genus. It bears 

 abundant violet flowers in racemes at the ends of the branches, and, later, numerous 

 yellow fruits, which are rather ornamental. It is commonly grown in Florida. 

 Distributed. 



3488. Duranta turbinata. 



From Palermo, Sicily. Donated by Professor Borzi, director of the Botanic 

 Garden of Palermo, through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



This species has purplish or violet flowers and is not so handsome as Nos. 3486 and 

 3487. It is not known where this species is native. Distributed. 



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