TREES OF PORTO RICO. 71 



X. Hernandiace^;. 



31. Hernandia sonora L. Mago. 



Tree from 30 to 60 feet high, with a limited occurrence in the mountains of the 

 Luquillo region. Wood little used. Wood cream colored, fine-grained, rather soft 

 and light. Pores visible to the unaided eye, isolated or in groups of two to six, often 

 more, evenly distributed. 



XI. Cappardiace^e . 



32. Capparis portoricensis Urb. Burro, Burro bianco. 



Tree from 45 to 60 feet high, found near the southern coast. Wood white or light 

 yellow, fine-grained, taking' a good polish, moderately hard and heavy. Pores small, 

 isolated or in groups of, two to four, evenly distributed. Pith rays narrow, incon- 

 spicuous. 



Note. — Capparis jamaicensis Jacq. (Burro, Palo de burro Prieta), is reported 

 as a shrub or tree from 10 to 50 feet high, occurring along the coast. Wood similar 

 to the preceding. 



XII. Brunelliace^e. 



83. Brunellia comocladifolia H. & B. Palo bobo. 



Tree from 45 to 60 feet high, of limited occurrence in the mountainous region of the 

 island . 



XIII. Rosacea. 



34. Prunus occidentalis Sw. Almendron, Almendrillo. 



Tree from 40 to 50 feet high and from 1 foot to 2 feet in diameter, common throughout 

 the island. Wood employed, like the black cherry (Prunus serotina), for cabinet 

 work and interior finish of houses. 



Wood light brown, fine and straight-grained, taking an excellent polish, and often 

 difficult to distinguish from light-colored mahogany. It is hard, heavy (about 66 

 pounds per cubic foot), strong, moderately tough, and very durable under water. 

 Pores small, numerous, evenly distributed throughout the annual rings of growth, 

 which are easily seen on a smooth transverse section. Pith rays moderately narrow 

 and easily visible under the hand lens. 



35. Hirtella. 



Two species are reported from Porto Rico: Hirtella tiandra Sw. (Teta de burra) and 

 Hirtella rugosa Pers. (Teta de burra cimarron, Icacillo). 



Described as shrubs or small trees ranging from 20 to 50 feet high and from 6 to 12 

 inches in diameter, occurring throughout the island, chiefly in mountainous regions. 

 The wood is used principally for fuel and charcoal. Wood light brown, turning darker 

 with age, fine and straight-grained, hard, heavy, strong, tough, and moderately dura- 

 ble in the soil. 



XIV. Leguminos^;. 



*36. Inga vera Willd. Guava, Gauba. 



Tree from 30 to 50 feet high growing in mountainous region and extensively planted 

 for shade in coffee plantations, for which it is considered the most important tree in 

 Porto Rico. Wood used only for fuel and charcoal. 



Wood light gray, fine grained, moderately hard, heavy (40 pounds per cubic foot), 

 and strong. Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, evenly distributed and 

 sometimes connected tangentially by the wood-parenchyma fibers surrounding each 

 pore. Pith rays minute, inconspicuous. 



*37. Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. Guamd. 



Tree from 30 to 50 feet high, abundant in the foothills, and very valuable as a shade 

 free in coffee plantations, being considered only second to Inga vera for this purpose. 

 Wood used for firewood and charcoal. 



Wood dark gray, fine-grained, moderately hard, and heavy (44 pounds per cubic 

 foot). Pores small, isolated or in groups of two or three, evenly distributed, and 

 often connected by tangential lines of wood-parenchyma fibers. Pith rays minute 

 very inconspicuous. 



