TKEES OF PORTO EICO. 67 



IV. MORACE.E. 



7. Trophis racemosa (L.) Urb. Ramon, 1 Pamoncillo. 



Tree from 30 to 50 feet high, occurring in the northwestern part of the island, chiefly 

 of importance on account of the leaves, which are used as fodder for cattle and horses. 

 Its wood is good for all purposes except in exposed situations. 



*8. Chlorophora tinctoria (L.) Gaudich. Mora, Palo de mora, Fustic. 



Tree from 45 to 65 feet high and from 18 to 24 inches in diameter, occurring mostly 

 in the southwestern part of the island. The wood is used locally for shelving in 

 country houses and for spokes of wheels; also for furniture and wherever great strength 

 and durability are required. This tree, which occurs throughout the West Indies 

 and Central America, furnishes one of the most important dyewoods of commerce. 



Wood 2 a handsome brownish-yellow, very fine-grained. Pores small, isolated or 

 in groups of two to four, more or less connected by short wavy tangential lines of wood 

 parenchyma, which are conspicuous on a transverse surface. Pith rays very narrow 

 and inconspicuous. Wood takes a fine polish, hard, heavy (about 44 pounds per 

 cubic foot), strong, tough, and durable. 



*9. Artocarpus incisa L. (=Artocarpu$ communis Forst.). Pana, Palo de pan, Castana; 

 Bread fruit, Bread nut (Br. W. I.). 



Tree from 40 to 60 feet high, introduced from the East Indies, now growing spon- 

 taneously in many parts of the island, particularly the north side. The fruit is very 

 large with numerous large seeds resembling the Spanish chestnut, whence the common 

 name ''castana. ' ' These seeds are an important article of native food. Wood, though 

 little used, is said to be highly appreciated for furniture and for building houses. 



Wood is yellowish-gray^ in color; rather light and soft, but strong, resistant, and 

 elastic. Its specific gravity is given as 0.495 (C. & C). 



10. Pseudolmedia spuria (Sw. ) Griseb . Negra lora. 



Tree from 25 to 50 feet high with a limited distribution on the island. It is of very 

 little use except for fuel and charcoal. 



*11. Ficus Ixvigata var. lentiginosa subvar. subcordata (Warb.) Urb. (=F. lentiginosa 

 Vahl.). Jagiiey, Jiguerillo, Lechesillo. 



Tree from 30 to 60 feet high and from 4 to 5 feet in diameter, occurring quite gen- 

 erally in the mountainous regions. It is at first semiepiphytic and often destroys, 

 trees on which it grows. It is used in making fishing canoes. 



Wood light gray with narrow brown lines of softer tissue, fine, and straight-grained 

 moderately soft and light (about 30 pounds per cubic foot). Pores small, solitary or 

 in groups of two to four, evenly distributed. Tangential lines of wood-parenchyma 

 fibers visible on a smooth transverse surface. Pith rays very narrow and indistinct. 



Note. — Similar to the above in the uses and properties of their wood are Ficus 

 sintenisii Warb. (Jagiiey, Higuillo preto) and Ficus §tahlii Warb. (Hagiiey, 

 Jagiiey) trees, 15 to 60 feet high, which occur in the mountainous regions. Several 

 other species of Ficus known locally as "Higuero " are reported as being generally 

 distributed throughout the island. These are small trees averaging from 10 to 

 20 feet high and from 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The wood, which is very little 

 used, is white, soft, light (about 43 pounds per cubic foot), and not strong nor 

 durable in the soil. 



Another species Ficus nitida Thumb. (Laurel de India, Laurel), introduced 

 from Asia, is a beautiful tree from 45 to 65 feet high and has been planted on the 

 island for ornamental purposes. The wood is not used. 



i This tree must not be confused with the bread-nut tree (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.), which is also called 

 ''Ramon" throughout the West Indies and Yucatan. The latter is a native of Jamaica but has not 

 been reported from Porto Rico. 



2 See pp. 12-14, Forest Service Circular 184. 



