b SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPOBTED. 



55579. Cyrtostachys lakka Beccari. Phoenicacea?. Palm. 



From Singapore, Straits Settlements. Seeds presented by I. Henry Burkill, 

 superintendent, Botanic Gardens. Received July 24. 1922. 



A stately and elegant palm, native to the East Indies, with a slender 

 spineless stem crowned by a cluster of boldly arched pinnate leaves 3 to 4 

 feet in length. It is distinguished by its red leaf sheaths. The fruits are 

 elongate egg-shaped and about half an inch long. (Adapted from Beccari, 

 Annates du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg, vol. 2, p. l\l, and Bailey, Standard 

 Cyclopedia of Horticulture, vol. 2, p. 9^7.) 



J. F. Rock recommends this as a handsome ornamental plant, probably 

 suitable for cultivation in southern Florida. It is doubtful whether it will 

 withstand heavy frosts. 



For previous introductions, see S. P. I. Nos. 49530 and 51870. 



55580 to 55584. 



From Canton. China. Plants presented by the Canton Christian College, 

 through F. A. McClure. Received July 29, 1922. Quoted notes by Mr. 

 McClure. 



55580 and 55581. Foktunella spp. Rutacere. Kumquat. 



Introduced for department specialists engaged in citrus-breeding ex- 

 periments. 



55580. Foktunella sp. 



"(C. C. C. introduction No. 793.) Obtained from near a Chinese 

 village (Sants'uen) in the island of Hainan, where it is found in a 

 semicultivated state. The natives gather the fruits, which ripen in 

 November, and eat them fresh or candy them. Some few of the 

 fruits find their way to the markets, although they are not generally 

 much in favor with the Chinese, owing to their acid taste. They 

 have almost no seed, and in this respect are excellent for candying. 

 The fruits are small, seldom attaining a size of more than an inch in 

 diameter ; the segments adhere to each other very firmly. The 

 plants are never grafted, but are allowed to spring up from scat- 

 tered seed." 



55581. Foktunella sp. 



"(C. C. C. introduction No. 794.) Obtained from the wild in the 

 Five Finger Mountains of the island of Hainan. I found the plant 

 in flower in May. A few fruits at that time were brought to me 

 by the natives. The flavor is rather sweeter than one would expect 

 to find in wild fruits; these are not of commercial importance, as 

 they are known only by the primitive tribes that inhabit the interior 

 of the island. They gather the wild fruits and evidently consider 

 them quite a delicacy, although they never take the trouble to plant 

 the seeds near their houses. There is a slight prominence on the 

 fruit at the stem end, which is characteristic." 



55582 and 55583. Phyllostachys spp. Poaeea?. Bamboo. 



" These are grown for timber and also for food, the young shoots being 

 eaten." 



55582. Phyllostachys sp. 



"(C. C. C. observation No. 901.2.) Tai t'au Urn chuk" 



55583. Phyllostachys sp. 



"(C. C. C. observation No. 901.2.) Ma chub." 



55584. Zizania sp. Poaceae. Wild rice. 



"(C. C. C. introduction No. 860.) Kau sun. This is grown by the 

 Chinese in wet culture. The stock at the crown becomes infected with a 

 smut, and the enlarged growth at that point is used ;is food. This 

 product is very similar in appearance, texture, and flavor to the bamboo 

 shoots and is prepared in the same manner." 



