﻿APBIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1917. 81 



44857. Nephrolepis sp. Polypodiacese. Fern. 

 From Guatemala. Plants collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, agricultural 



explorer. Received June 25, 1917. 



"(No. 147. June 9, 1917.) Ferns collected in the forest at Quirigua, where they 

 were found growing in the leaf axils of the corozo palm (Attalea cohune 

 Mart.)." (Popenoe.) 



Introduced for the monographic study of Mr. R. C. Benedict, of the Brooklyn 

 Botanic Garden. 



44858. Guaiacum guatemalense Planch. Zygophyllacese. 



Guayacan. 



From Guatemala. Collected by Dr. F. S. Johnson and sent through Mr. 

 Wilson Popenoe, agricultural explorer. Received June 25, 1917. 



"(No. 145a. From Zacapa, June 5, 1917.) The guayacan, sometimes called by 

 Americans lignum-vitw, is found in abundance upon the plains of the lower 

 Motagua Valley, in the vicinity of El Rancho, Zacapa, and other towns. It is a 

 small tree, sometimes attaining 30 feet in height, usually somewhat spreading in 

 habit, with a trunk sometimes gnarled and twisted and having slender branches. 

 The leaves are small and delicate. Toward the end of the dry season, i. e., in 

 February or March, the tree comes into flower, and it is then a mass of lavender 

 purple, distinguishable for long distances across the plains. It remains in bloom 

 for several weeks. 



" The wood is exceedingly hard and, though difficult to work, is of value for 

 cabinet purposes. The heartwood is rich brown in color, while the sapwood 

 which surrounds it is light yellow. Both take a fine polish. 



" The tree thrives in a warm climate with little rainfall. The soil upon which 

 it grows is often rocky and poor. Whether it will stand any frost can not be 

 stated, but it seems likely that it may succeed in parts of California and Arizona 

 and perhaps also in Florida. Small trees often flower profusely. It should be 

 given a trial as an ornamental in the regions mentioned." (Popenoe.) 



For an illustration of the guayacan as grown in Florida, see Plate X. 



44859 to 44864. 



From Nice, France. Presented by Dr. A. Robertson Proschowsky. Received 

 June 11, 1917. 



44859. Alangium chinense (Lour.) Rehder. Cornacese. 

 (Marlea begoniaefolia Roxb.) 



"A tree, hardy here, but it loses its leaves in winter ; this might not hap- 

 pen in a warmer climate." (Proschoivsky.) 



A tall tree, up to 60 feet in height, with ovate, entire or slightly lobed 

 leaves about 8 inches in length, and cymes of small, whitish, fragrant 

 flowers. It is a native of Africa and southern and eastern Asia. This 

 tree might be grown in the extreme southern United States. (Adapted 

 from Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia, of Horticulture, vol. 1, p. 2^3, as 

 Alangium begoniaefolium.) 



44860. Boehmeria maceophylla D. Don. Urticaceae. 



A pretty shrub with narrow dentate leaves 6 to 12 inches in length 

 and very long, drooping flower spikes. It is a native of Upper Burma 

 and northeastern India, where it ascends to 4,000 feet. The wood is 

 light reddish brown and moderately hard and yields a good fiber, which 

 is used for ropes and fishing lines. (Adapted from J. S. Gamble, Manual 

 of Indian Timbers, p. 658.) 

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