﻿OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1915. 41 



41504 to 41508. 



Seeds from Matania El Saff, Egypt. Presented by Mr. Alfred Bircher, 

 Middle Egypt Botanic Station. Received November 30, 1915. 



41504. Carissa grandiflora (E. Mey.) DC. Apocynacese. Natal plum. 

 " This handsome shrub, 15 to 18 feet in height, originally from South 



Africa, is cultivated in southern Florida and southern California for orna- 

 ment and for its scarlet edible fruits the size of a plum. It is considered 

 one of the best hedge plants in South Africa and is sometimes used for 

 tMs purpose in the United States. The foliage is dense, glossy green in 

 color ; leaves opposite, thick, and leathery, 1 to 2 inches long, flowers star 

 shaped, fragrant, about 2 inches across and borne in small terminal 

 cymes. The plant blooms most abundantly in the early spring, but pro- 

 duces a few scattering flowers throughout the year ; their waxy texture 

 and fragrance are suggestive of the jasmine. The fruits, most of which 

 ripen in summer, are ovoid or elliptic in form, commonly 1 to 2 inches 

 long, with a thin skin inclosing the firm granular, reddish pulp, toward 

 the center of which are several thii_ papery seeds, sometimes as many as 

 twenty or more. The fruit is very attractive in appearance, but is not 

 generally relished when eaten out of hand ; its flavor suggests the rasp- 

 berry or cranberry, and when stewed it yields a sauce which greatly re- 

 sembles that made from the latter fruit. It is also used for jelly and pre- 

 serves. It is not of commercial importance in the United States, but is 

 frequently planted in gardens for ornament and fruit. When used as a 

 hedge plant it withstands shearing admirably, but yields little fruit under 

 these conditions. Its growth is compact and low, and it has the inter- 

 esting habit of branching dichotomously. The plant is easily propagated 

 by layering, and it is not difficult to bud, using the common method of 

 shield budding. Late spring is the best time to do the work." (Adapted 

 from W. Popenoe, in Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, under 

 Natal plum, vol. k, p. 2H4-) 



See S. P. I. Nos. 11734, 2S722, and 34166 for previous introductions. 



41505. Carissa grandiflora (E. Mey.) DC. Apocynacese. Natal plum. 

 See previous number (S. P. I. No. 41504) for description. 



41506. Carissa carandas L. Apocynacea?. Caraunda. 

 " Maha-karaniba (Singhalese), Perunkila (Tamil). A small tree or 



large shrub, with sharp, rigid, forked thorns and oval leaves, native of 

 the dry region of Ceylon ; also of India and Malaya. It blossoms chiefly 

 in February and March and ripens its fruits in August and September. 

 The fruit when ripe much resembles a damson, both in size and color, but 

 in the interior are a number of small seeds. In India it is made into a 

 pickle just before it is ripe, and is also used in tarts and puddings, being 

 considered to resemble gooseberries in flavour. For these purposes it is 

 said to be superior to any other Indian fruit. When ripe it makes a very 

 good jelly. The plant is commonly employed for barrier hedges, for which 

 purpose it is well suited. Propagated from seed. Suited to dry districts 

 at low elevations." (MacMillan, Handbook of Tropical Gardening and 

 Planting, 2d ed., p. 11,0.) 



See S. P. I. Nos. 23750 and 34364 for previous introductions. 



41507. Phoenix farinifera Roxburgh. Phcenicaceae. Palm. 

 Habitat, India and South China. A dwarf species, having a stem 2 



feet high, completely enveloped by the leaf sheaths ; fronds 6 feet long, 



