﻿16 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



" Var. chrysocarpa. A rare Australian tree. From an economic point of 

 view the yellow quandong is a fruit superior to the red quandong and grows 

 under precisely similar climatic conditions." (Turner.) 



A beautiful evergreen tree, up to 30 feet in height, with opposite lanceolate 

 leaves, mostly 2 or 3 inches long, and rather numerous insignificant flowers 

 appearing on small terminal branches. The reddish globular fruits are about 

 three-fourths of an inch in diameter and are eaten as preserves and jelly 

 and in the dried condition. The kernels, which are spherical, are quite palatable 

 and so full of oil that they will burn entirely away with a clear light. The 

 tree, when full of fruits, is decidedly ornamental. The bark contains a large 

 amount of tannic acid, and the wood is used for turnery, carving, and cabinet- 

 work. In cultivating this tree it is best raised from seeds planted in the places 

 where it is intended that the trees are to grow permanently. This tree is 

 found throughout Australia, except Tasmania and Queensland. (Adapted 

 fronfF, Turner, Sydney Morning Herald, December 16, 1911.) 



43424. Virola surinamensis (Roland) Warb. Myristicacete. 



(Myristica surinamensis Roland.) Ucuuba. 



From Para, Brazil. Seeds presented by Mr. George H. Pickerell, American 

 consul. Received October 16, 1916. 



" Myristicacea? are more important as timbers than the Annonacea?, in spite 

 of being represented by a much smaller number of species. The commonest 

 species of the Amazon region are ucuuba branca (Virola surinamensis Warb.) 

 and ucuuba vermelha (Virola sebifera Aubl.). The first, especially, is one of 

 the most useful trees of the Amazon region, not only for its easily worked 

 moderately hard wood, but also for its seeds, which furnish a kind of vegetable 

 wax rich in stearin. While the ucuuba branca is found principally in the 

 tillable plains, it is not excluded from the uncultivated parts of the country ; 

 the ucuuba vermcllia, which is distinguished by its large leaves and smaller 

 fruits, is a tree of the dry lands and is found principally in the forests. Both 

 these species, especially when young, have a characteristic manner of growth, 

 with slender whorled branches furnished with regularly distichous leaves. 

 The regularity of its branching reminds one of the European conifers. Without 

 doubt other Amazonian species of Virola and probably also some species of 

 Iryanthera furnish wood which could be utilized, but I have no positive knowl- 

 edge in regard to this." (J. Ruber, Mattas e Madeiras Amazonicas, Boletim 

 de Museu Goeldi, vol. 6, p. 113.) 



The wood of this Brazilian tree is used for interior work and general car- 

 pentry. The bark is medicinal and the fruits contain 55 per cent of myristin, 

 a waxy substance of the consistency of. beef tallow, used in the trade for 

 candles and soap. (Adapted from Correa, Flora do Brazil, p. 10.) 



43425 to 43440. 



From Guatemala. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer for the Department of Agriculture. Received October 14, 1916. 

 Quoted notes by Mr. Popenoe. 

 43425. Petjnus salicifolia H. B. K. Amygdalacese. Capuli. 



"(No. 27a. Mazatenango, Guatemala, September 27, 1916.) Cereza. 

 Seeds of a wild cherry brought to the market of Mazatenango from the 

 tierra fria, or high lands. 



" In the highlands of Guatemala, at elevations of 4,000 to 9,000 feet, 

 occurs, both wild and cultivated, a fruit which possesses more than 

 ordinary interest to those occupied with the cultivation and improve- 



