£ PLANT MATERIAL INTRODUCED 



in Sumatra and the Malay States as a ground cover and green-manure plant, has 

 already shown, from a previous introduction, its probable value for these pur- 

 poses in southern Florida. It makes a dense matted growth and thrives under 

 Florida conditions. It needs to be extensively tested in the Gulf States and 

 studied from the standpoint of varietal differences and adaptation. 



The Palmyra palm [Borassus flabellifer. No. 66649* of India and Ceylon is a 

 most interesting and useful plant. Whether or not it will succeed in the continental 

 United States is yet to be determined, but it is possible that it can be grown in 

 southern Florida and perhaps in other places. The many uses to which it is put 

 in its native habitat make it seem indispensable to the native population. It 

 furnishes food, drink, and fiber, the products in each form being numerous. 



Another palm, Hyphaene thebaica (No. 66656'. known as the Doum palm, is 

 interesting from the fact that it is a most beautiful plant and the only branch- 

 ing palm known. 



An unusual series of cotton varieties (Gossypium spp., Nos. 66020 to 66026) 

 was received from Italian Somaliland through the director of their agricultural 

 department. These are mostly local varieties developed by the Somaliland 

 natives, and should be of special value for semiarid regions of* the Southwest. 



Although the Amur grape (Vitis amurensis. No. 65960) with its brilliant 

 autumnal coloring is usually considered from the standpoint of an exceptionally 

 hardy ornamental vine, it should be worth the attention of grape growers desir- 

 ing to obtain vigorous hardy varieties for the northernmost parts of the United 

 States and Alaska. 



An Ecuadorian highland relative of the papaya (Carica candamarcenii<. No. 

 66651) is reported to have small, acid-flavored fruits used for jams and preserves. 

 This will suggest to subtropical fruit breeders the possibility of hybridization 

 with the idea of varying the flavor and extending the growing area of the common 

 papaya. 



Three species and one variety of Magnolia (Nos. 66077 to 660S0), all native 

 to western China, were received from Leon Chenault. Orleans. France. All of 

 these are practically unknown in American horticulture and promise to be 

 desirable additions to a very popular group of ornamental trees. 



As a subtropical ornamental climbing shrub. Bauhinia galpini (No. 6614S) 

 appears to have considerable merit. It attains a height of 10 or more feet under 

 favorable conditions, and the brick-red flowers appear continuouslv from soring 

 till fall. 



A number of species of the so-called butterfly bushes have become popular 

 ornamentals in those parts of the country not having severe winters. One of 

 the handsomest of the genus (Buddleia colvilei. No. 6575S), native to the Hima- 

 layas, has large loose clusters of crimson flowers. It is practically unknown in 

 American horticulture and should be tested in southern California and the Gulf 

 States. 



The botanical determinations of these introductions have been made and the 

 nomenclature determined by H. C. Skeels, and the descriptive matter has been 

 prepared under the direction of Paul Russell, who has had general supervision 

 of this inventory. 



Roland McKee. 

 Acting Senior Agricultural Explorer in Charge. 



Office of Foreign Plant Introduction, 



Washington, D. C, September 17, 1927. 



