68 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
browse on it, but the plants will grow above the reach of livestock if left 
uncut. The method of cutting depends on the size of the area, the 
tools available, and the topography of the land. Tan-tan can hardly 
be overgrazed, especially where it occurs in pastures. Tan-tan’s per- 
enniality, competitive ability, and copious production of highly viable 
seeds capable of prolonged dormancy are advantageous for its use 
as a forage crop. These same characteristics make tan-tan very dif- 
ficult to control where it occurs asa weed. Tan-tan may be eradicated 
by grubbing or by using chemicals. It can be killed by the application 
of selective herbicides or brush killers as a foliar or a basal spray, but 
it is more resistant than most legumes. 
Clusiaceae, or Clusia, Family 
Mammea americana L. (fig. 37) 
Mamey, Mammee Apple 
Derscription.—This well-formed, evergreen tree with a maximum 
height of 80 feet has a trunk up to 4 feet in diameter. The thick, 
reddish-gray bark is rather smooth. The opposite, thick, leathery, 
oblong leaves are borne on short, stout stems; they are dark green 
and shiny above, dull beneath, 4 ‘to 8 inches long and 2 to 4 inches 
wide with the base obtuse or narrowed and the tip rounded. The 
leaf blades, which have smooth margins, are covered with many small, 
black dots; they have a large, prominent midvein from which numer- 
ous smaller, side veins arise. The small, white flowers are borne singly 
or In groups of 2 to 3 on old branches and in the leaf axils of young, 
stout twigs; they measure 14 to 34 inch across. The flowers develop 
into large, spherical, woody, edible fruits. The large, fleshy fruit 
contains 2 to 4 seeds and reaches 3 to 6 inches in diameter: it is covered 
with a russet-colored, tough skin. The smooth seeds of mamey are 
about 4 inch thick and 1 to 2 inches long, tapering to thin edges. 
The fruit pulp is edible. The trees, which are propagated by seeds, 
blossom during the fall wet season and mature fruits during the 
summer months. 
DistTRIBuTION AND Haprrat.—Mamey is common to all of the Vir- 
gin Islands where it is found in woods, pastures, and cultivated fields. 
tats often planted as a shade tree and for its edible fruit, and its 
bark is used to some extent as a home tanning agent. The trees 
occur in all but the drier districts, and grow in full sun or partial 
shade. The plant is adapted to a wide range of soils. The well- 
known, edible fruit and dense, dark-green foliage of mamey make it 
an attr active ornamental tree. 
Toxiciry AND SymptToms.—Mamey seeds contain ae that are 
highly toxic to certain types of insects and to fish (40). Feeding 
trials show that mamey seeds are also highly toxic to ge Ordi- 
narily livestock do not consume the large, ‘woody mamey fruits, which 
enclose the poisonous seeds. A greater source of danger is presented 
by dry seeds lying within reach of hungry animals, particularly 
hungry hogs. 
Manacement AND Conrrot.—The scarcity of mamey trees in the 
Virgin Islands makes unlikely any serious damage to livestock caused 
by the plant. Trees in areas that are accessible to livestock do con- 
