﻿JULY 1 TO OCTOBER 31, 1919. 19 



47951. Solantjm quitoense Lam. Solanaceae. Naranjilla. 



From Guayaquil, Ecuador. Presented by Dr. H. R. Carter, assistant 

 surgeon general, United States Marine Hospital, Baltimore, Md., who 

 obtained them from Dr. M. E. Connor, Guayaquil. Received August 9, 

 1919. 



" The fruit of the naranjilla is about the size of a mandarin orange ; it is 

 orange-yellow, but not flattened as much as the mandarin. The interior re- 

 sembles that of a tomato or eggplant. I was told by Mr. Elizade, secretary of 

 state of Ecuador, that it grew in the warm countries near Quito, i. e., at a 

 lower altitude; and I feel reasonably sure that I saw a growing plant in the 

 barren country on the upper Magdalena near Girardot, Colombia, but having no 

 opportunity to examine it I am not positive. This plant resembled a large 

 eggplant, 4 to 5 feet high, and was covered with fruit, some yellow and some 

 green. I am told by the same man that it fruits when young, i. e., the first 

 season ; and from what I heard I thought it might do so from Thomasville, Ga., 

 southward, and in southern California. The fruit, which ripens in July, is too 

 acid to be eaten out of hand, although I liked it, but it is used as a flavor for 

 frescos (soft drinks) and ice cream." (Carter.) 



47952 to 47954. 



From Vereeniging, Transvaal. Presented by Mr. J. Burtt Davy. Received 

 August 11, 1919. 



47952. Agathosma choetophila Eckl. and Zeyh. Rutacese. 



" Leaves of various species of Agathosma, of the Cape region, are used 

 like buchu, but are of a more delicate and agreeable odor." (National 

 Standard Dispensatory, 1905, p. 1335.) 



. 47953. Barosma betumna (Bergius) Bartl. and Wendl. Rutacese. 



Buchu. 

 The honey buchu, a branching, evergreen shrub, the best variety of 

 buchu, is found on South African mountain slopes in red sandy loam, 

 at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. It is bushy and compact and 

 reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet, though it may grow taller. On account 

 of the starlike purple flowers this plant compares favorably, as an orna- 

 mental, with the gardenia and camellia. The small light-green leaves 

 are smooth and leathery and are covered on each surface with oil glands. 

 A greenish yellow oil is extracted from the leaves by using alcohol or 

 boiling water. When exposed to cold, the oil deposits a solid barosma 

 camphor which, when purified, has the odor of peppermint. The leaves 

 are harvested by clipping the twigs at the beginning of March. The oil 

 content is highest in January and February, but the seeds are then still 

 on the plants and clipping at this time would result in their loss for 

 propagating purposes. In clipping, care is taken to have a sufficient 

 number of buds for the next year's growth. Leaves of one year's growth 

 are far superior to those 2 years old. They are astringent and con- 

 tain a bitter substance which acts beneficially on the stomach. The 

 Hottentots and Bushmen use a solution of the leaves for bladder and 

 kidney complaints, and the roots for snake bites. (Adapted from The 

 Agricultural Journal of the Union of South Africa, vol. 6, p. 80, and 

 The Agricultural Journal, Cape of Good Hope, vol. 6, p. lift.) 



