Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany 



471 



times eaten in a half ripe stage but usually boiled to form what is called 

 Kharak Poklita in Persian and Khaldl Matbukh in Arabic, in which state it 

 forms a considerable article of export to India. The date ripens about Octo- 

 ber first, and the yield is large. 



Form oblong-elliptical, widest near center, thence narrowing slightly to 

 the flattened base and broadly pointed apex ; size large, one and one-half to 

 one and seven-eighths inches long, seven-eighths to one inch broad ; surface 

 hard, rough, golden brown in color ; skin thick, hard and brittle, with many 

 deep longitudinal wrinkles and a few transverse ones, but adhering very 

 closely to the flesh, which is hard and dry, coarsely granular, five-eighths inch 

 thick, brownish-white, opaque ; seed oblong, blunt at base and rounded at 

 apex, one inch long, five-sixteenths wide, fairly smooth, cinnamon brown in 

 color, ventral channel almost closed, germ pore slightly nearer apex than 

 base; flavor sweet but somewhat astringent. This description was made from 

 boiled specimens. 



Lului, "Pearly," sometimes spelled Lilwee, following the vulgar pronun- 

 ciation. One of the latest varieties, if not the latest, to ripen at Busreh 

 (November), usually eaten when soft. Sometimes cured but will keep only 

 a month or two. A heavy bearer. 



When fresh the variety is dull yellow in color, the flesh soft, fairly sugary 

 and of good flavor. When cured, the fruit is broadly oval to broadly ovate, 

 sometimes almost spherical, widest at or near center, rounded toward the 

 rounded base and rounded or broadly pointed apex. Size small, length seven- 

 eighths to one inch, breadth at widest point seven-eighths inch. Surface almost 

 smooth, brownish purple to purplish brown in color, bloom very slight ; skin 

 moderately thick, tough, usually not wrinkled but separating from the flesh 

 in occasional slight folds or blisters. Flesh soft, syrupy, three-eighths inch 

 thick, translucent, deep, brownish amber colored. Seed oblong, rounded 

 at both ends or broadly pointed at apex ; three-fourths inch long, 

 three-eighths broad, smooth, grayish brown, ventral channel open near base 

 only, germ pore nearer apex than base. Flavor sweet and moderately rich; 

 pleasant. 



Madani, "From Madina," although it is said to have been brought to 

 Baghdad from Mecca by returning pilgrims. Sometimes qualified as Madani 

 ahmar (red). A long and very large date of a reddish brown color, said to 

 be a heavy bearer; ripens midseason. Can be eaten at any stage, but is 

 preferred when only about half ripe. Sometimes cured and packed in baskets. 

 Said to be the largest date at Baghdad ; very rare. The palm is characterized 

 by a particularly thick trunk. 



Makkdun, "From Mecca." Two varieties of soft date are designated by 

 this name around Baghdad. The commoner is Makkawi ahmar (red), scarce 

 at Baghdad but said to be more plentiful in some of the outlying oases. 

 Medium size, good quality and large yield ; ripens early in September. Eaten 



