﻿2 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPOKTED. 



Mr. Wragge sends a quantity of seed of the nikau palm from New 

 Zealand {Rhopalostylis sapida, No. 47878), which, it is noted, stands 

 grass fires well and therefore ought to be adapted for naturalization 

 in southern Florida, where the species grows well. Mr. Wragge also 

 sends in seeds of the puriri (Vitex lucens, No. 47881), a valuable 

 timber tree from the North Island, where it is known as the "New 

 Zealand oak" because of the strength and durability of its wood. 



Dr. Trabut sends from Algeria seeds of a good pasture grass ( Ory- 

 zopsis miliacea, No. 47898) growing on saline soils. 



S. P. I. No. 47899 records the success made in Cuba by Irving L. 

 Ward, with one of our introductions, Gonolobus edulis (No. 35249), 

 which bears soft green fruits that are of good quality when baked 

 or when fried like eggplant. 



Dr. Johnson sends seeds of the Guatemalan lignum- vitse (Guaia- 

 cum guate?nalense, No. 47900), which Wilson Popenoe says is a 

 beautiful flowering tree remaining in bloom from late February or 

 early March for several weeks. It has proved adapted to growth in 

 southern Florida and will add a feature to the landscape. 



Mr. Tacea, of Yucatan, sends seeds of the Jatropha curcas (No. 

 47916) with the report that, although commonly supposed to be a 

 purgative, the nuts are eaten there commonly, even being made into 

 confectionery. A recent careful analysis by Dr. Power of the seeds 

 of this Jatropha from trees grown in Florida failed to reveal any 

 substantial quantity of the purgative substance, and tests on animals 

 produced negative results. If its seeds may be used as table nuts, 

 this tree will be a valuable addition to the food plants of southern 

 Florida, since it grows very luxuriantly there and bears abundantly. 



Mr. Poynton has furnished the seeds of the kauri pine of New 

 Zealand (Dammara australis, No. 47917), one of the greatest timber 

 trees of the world and one of the most stately of all forest trees. 

 Every effort should be made to grow it in America. 



Through Anderson & Co., of Sydney, Australia, we have imported 

 seeds of a thin-shelled variety of the macadamia or Queensland nut 

 (Macadamia ternifolia, No. 47918). Since this species is fruiting 

 well in southern Florida, a thin-shelled variety will add new interest 

 to its possibilities. 



Citrus webberii (No. 47919) is the name given by Wester to what 

 he declares is the largest loose-skinned citrus fruit in the world, com- 

 ing from Cotabato in the Philippine Islands. 



The burakan (Ipomoea nymphaeae folia, No. 47920) is, according 

 to Wester, a most gorgeous morning-glory, producing great masses 

 of bright-yellow flowers. 



Mr. H. R. Wright, of Auckland, who has sent us some very inter- 

 esting new deciduous fruit varieties, now sends in a new seedling 



