
          compotes, pies, and sirups. The tree thrives in well-drained, rocky 
terraces and is suited to the milder sections of the Gulf coast states 
and California.

49796. MYROXYLON ELLIPTICUM. From the mountains near Antigua, 
Guatemala. Seeds collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorer. 
An evergreen, ornamental shrub or small tree, with formidable thorns. 
When in fruit the plant is rendered very attractive by its red berries, 
which are about the size of peas. The shrub is suggested for 
trial as a hedge plant in California and Florida.

50685. NECTANDRA GLABRESCENS. Aguacatillo. From Rancho Redondo, 
near San Jose, Costa Rica. Seeds collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural  Explorer. A round-topped tree reaching about 40 feet in 
height. The fruits are interesting because of their resemblance to 
the Mexican avocado; they are obovoid, about 2 inches long, black and 
shining, thin skinned, and strongly anise flavored. Of interest to 
students of the avocado who may care to grow the species as a curiosity 
and for possible value in breeding work. It should be sufficiently 
hardy for cultivation in the avocado-growing sections of California 
and Florida.

54332. OCHROMA LAGOPUS. Balsa Wood. From Camaguey, Cuba. Seeds 
presented by Dr. Roberto L. Luaces. A valuable tropical tree reaching 
40 feet in height, with the flowers borne at the ends of the 
branches. The fruit, which is about a foot in length, opens by 5 
slits, when ripe, out of which the silk-cotton of the seeds protrudes 
and spreads over the whole surface. The wood is lighter and much 
stronger than basswood and is used for insulating and other purposes. 
The tree is now being planted commercially in certain tropical countries 
to supply a rapidly growing demand for the wood.

51519. OLEA CHRYSOPHYLLA. Golden-leaved Olive. From Ukamba 
Province, Kenya Colony. Seeds collected by Dr. H. L. Shantz, Agricultural Explorer. This plant, the wild olive of the highlands of East 
Africa, is noteworthy because of the drab or golden color of the under 
side of the leaves. The small flowers are followed by the large 
blackish fruits. For trial as an ornamental in the Southern States 
and California.

53485. OSTEOMELES OBTUSIFOLIA. From Loja, Ecuador. Seeds collected 
by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Explorer. A treelike shrub reaching 
12 to 15 feet in height, with abundant, dark-green foliage, and armed 
with long sharp thorns. The small red fruits, which are borne in terminal clusters, have the flavor of haws though not commercially valuable. 
The plant is said by Mr. Enrique Witt to be utilized in Loja 
as a stock on which to graft the cultivated apple, for which purpose 
it is introduced for trial in the United States.

51730. PANDANUS POLYCEPHALUS. Screw Pine. From Buitenzorg, 
Java. Seeds presented by Dr. P. J. S. Cramer, director, Plant Breeding 
Station. An East Indian decorative plant, with leaves about 3 feet

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