﻿Inventory 41, Seeds and Plants Imported. 

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Plate 



Fruiting Branch of Xanthoceras sorbifolia. (See S. P. I. No. 39431.) 



This North Chinese plant belongs to the horse-chestnut family. It is found wild as a 

 shrub in dry loess banks and cliffs in Shansi, Honan, Shensi, and Kansu, in which 

 provinces the country people eat the kernels, calling the plant Mu kua hua (quince 

 flower), presumably on account of the fruits somewhat resembling Japanese quinces 

 in appearance. In temple courts around Peking one frequently finds this plant cul- 

 tivated, and in such places it grows into a small tree, often with a dense head of 

 foliage. Though seldom seen in American gardens, it deserves to be more widely 

 planted, especially in dry, sunny situations, where its masses of white flowers with 

 yellow and red blotches in the center appearing in May make the plant of great 

 decorative value. (Photographed by Frank N. Meyer, at Chaovu, Shansi, China, 

 July 23, 1914; P12264FS.) 



