﻿51 



45540 to 45553— Continued. 



plants sent under this number are from the barranca near Chinautla, a 

 few miles north of the city. 



" The fact that this handsome species grows in a cool climate sug- 

 gests that it may be sufficiently hardy for open-air culture in California 

 and Florida. Here in Guatemala it is often planted in gardens, where, 

 during October, it makes a fine showing with its large flowers. The plant 

 sends up several stems 3 to 4 feet in height. At the summit of each, two 

 or three flowers are produced, only one opening at a time. In size and 

 color the flowers resemble some of the fine cattleyas ; they are 2 to 3 

 inches broad, deep lilac in color, deepening to lilac purple in the throat." 



45548. Annona diveesifolia Safford. Annonacese. Ilaraa. 

 "(No. 205a. November 8, 1917.) The anona bianco,, from Chiquimula 



(altitude 1,400 feet). 



" This species is not known in the 'highlands of Guatemala, nor have I 

 seen it elsewhere except in the vicinity of Chiquimula and Jocotan, both 

 in the southeastern part of the republic, close to the border of Honduras. 



"The tree strongly suggests Annona squamosa in appearance, but is 

 easily distinguished by the leaflike bracts at the bases of the branchlets. 

 The fruit is much larger than that of A. squamosa, resembling more 

 closely that of A. reticulata. It is generally heart shaped, up to 5 or 6 

 inches in length, with the carpellary areas indicated by incised lines on 

 the surface, which is pale glaucous green in color. The skin is nearly 

 a quarter of an inch thick, the flesh is said to be tinged rose color when 

 ripe, and the seeds are much larger than those of either A. squamosa or 

 A. reticulata. The season of ripening in southeastern Guatemala is Sep- 

 tember. 



" While I have not been able to test this fruit thoroughly, it seems 

 to be far superior to A. reticulata and to approach the cherimoya in 

 quality. If it succeeds at low altitudes in the Tropics, as seems to be 

 the case, it may prove to be a valuable species for cultivation in regions 

 which are too hot for the cherimoya. It should certainly be given a 

 careful trial in such regions as southern Florida, Cuba, and Porto Rico. 

 I do not know how productive the tree may be, since I have seen only 

 two specimens in fruit, and these were growing under rather unfavorable 

 conditions. 



" The seeds forwarded under this number were taken from fruits pur- 

 chased in the market of Chiquimula by Mr. B. B. Williams, of the 

 Friends' Mission." 



45549. Ceaniolaeia annua L. Martyniacese. 



"(No. 206a. November 8, 1917.) Una cle gato (cat's-claw). A large 

 herbaceous annual, common in central and eastern Guatemala at alti- 

 tudes of about 2,000 feet. The seeds forwarded under this number came 

 from the valley of the Rio Motagua near La Canoa, on the Guatemala- 

 Coban trail. 



" The plant grows about 4 feet high, with large, soft leaves. It pro- 

 duces along the stem numerous gloxinialike flowers, white in color, with 

 a purplish blotch in the throat." 



45550. (Undetermined.) 

 "(No. 207a. November 8, 1917.) Seeds of a small, flowering tree from 



the mountains of Baja Vera Paz, between Salama and Purula. I have 



