
          56328. OLEA sp. From Yunnan, China. Collected by J. F. Rock, Agricultural  Explorer. A tree reaching 50 feet in height, with a trunk one 
foot in diameter covered with whitish bark, and having narrowly oblong, 
dark-green, leathery leaves and small, oval, bluish black fruits in 
clusters. Recommended for trial as an ornamental tree in the South 
Atlantic and Gulf Coast States and the mild coast regions of California.

55465. ONCOBA ECHINATA. Gorli Shrub. From Sierra Leone, Africa. 
Received from L. A. King Church, conservator of forests, Freetown. 
Chaulmoogric acid, used successfully in the treatment of leprosy, 
has been obtained commercially only from certain Asiatic trees, of 
which the most important are Taraktogenos kurzii, Hydnocarpus 
anthelminthica, and H. wightiana. These are all slow growing, and 
require many years to produce the fruits from which chaulmoogric acid 
is secured. In order to meet the increasing demand for this substance, 
a plant which requires fewer years to come into bearing is desired. 
Oncoba echinata may meet this requirement; it is described as a shrub 
which fruits within a few years of planting, and whose seeds contain 
46.6% of fat, of which 87.5% is chaulmoogric acid, according to an 
analysis made at the Imperial Institute, London, by Goulding and Akers. 
The cultural requirements of Oncoba are not definitely known. It is 
believed the plant may succeed as far north as southern Florida. It 
should be tested in all tropical regions where leprosy is present. 
Preliminary experiments have shown that it needs an open, sandy soil, 
and that it does not stand transplanting well.

55992. OSTEOMELES SCHWERINAE. From Yunnan, China. Collected by J. F. 
Rock, Agricultural Explorer. An ornamental, spreading shrub about 3 feet 
high, with pinnate leaves suggesting those of some of the Leguminosae; 
pinkish white, very fragrant flowers about two-thirds of an inch broad; 
and small, egg-shaped, dull-purple fruits, sweet and pleasant to eat. 
Not sufficiently hardy for cultivation in northern parts of this country, 
but should succeed from the Carolinas southward, and along the Gulf coast.

57730. PANDANUS TECTORIUS. From Honolulu, Hawaii. Presented by H. L. Lyon.  
One of the "screw-pines," native to the Philippine Islands and adjacent 
regions, where it is found along the seashore, and where it attains a 
height of 15 to 20 feet. The leaves are used for making mats and hats. 
The lower part of the ripe fruit is covered by a yellowish pulp of 
excellent flavor. For trial in southern Florida, Porto Rico, the Canal 
Zone and other tropical regions.

60356. PASSIFLORA VITIFOLIA. From Gatun, Canal Zone. Presented by 
J. A. Close. A tropical climber, native to Panama, where it is known 
as sandia del monte or wild watermelon. The plant is a vigorous grower, 
with handsome, red flowers which give it ornamental value. The fruit, 
though edible, is not of good quality. For trial in southern Florida 
and tropical regions.

58376. PAULOWNIA FORTUNEI. From Taihoku, Formosa, Japan. Presented 
by the Director, Forestry Experiment Station. A tree similar in general 
character to Paulownia imperialis, well known in the United States. It 
differs in its larger, whitish, spotted flowers, and its longer leaves. 
Not likely to prove hardy in the northern parts of this country.

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