18 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



34419. RuBus sp. Raspberry. 



From Mokanshan, Shanghai, China. Presented by Rev. J. M. W. Famham. 

 Received October 5, 1912. 

 "This plant grows in the edge of a hedge or in a shady spot and in no respects resem- 

 bles the raspberry l)ush. This thing is of no use in itself, bearing a very little fruit, 

 resembling a raspberry in color, shape, and style, -svith a slightly acid taste. It might 

 be of interest for hybridizing with the raspberry. " ( Famham.) 



34420. Nypa fruticans Wurmb. Nipa palm. 



From Manila, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. E. D. Merrill, botanist, 

 Bureau of Science. Received at the Plant Introduction Field Station, Chico, 

 Cal., October 15, 1912. 

 "This species grows only along the banks of tidal streams, where it is subject to 

 overflow by brackish water. The plant is one of great importance in the Philippines, 

 and most of the houses in the Archipelago are roofed with thatch made of the leaves. 

 Commercially, however, its great value lies in its production of alcohol, of which 

 enormous quantities are distilled annually from the fermented sap. 



"I suspect that the species will grow in southern Florida and will certainly grow in 

 most parts of the West Indies and Central America if planted in its proper habitat." 

 (Merrill.) 



» 



34421. Lansium domesticum Jack. Langsat. 



From Mindanao, Philippine Islands. Presented by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, Alta- 

 dena, Cal. Received at the Plant Introduction Field Station, Chico, Cal., 

 October 15, 1912. 



$ 



For description, see S. P. I. No. 34496. 



34422. Abroma augusta (L.) L. f. j 



From Calabar, Southern Nigeria, Africa. Presented by Mr. Frank Evans, Super-l 

 intendent of Agriculture. Received September 28, 1912. ' 

 A large open bush widely distributed throughout the hot, moist portions of India, 

 now cultivated in Africa. The bark affords a strong white bast fiber, which is easily 

 separated by retting in water or- by decortication. It is readily propagated by cut- 

 tings and may be made to yield annually two or three crops of shoots from 4 to 8 feet 

 long, but requires rich land and plenty of moistiu^e. The fiber, which is said to be 

 stronger than sunn hemp, is strong, white, and clean, and is chiefly used for cordage 

 by the natives. {Adapted from Watt, Commercial Products of India, and Dodge, 

 Useful Fiber Plants.) 



Distribution. — ^A' shrub found in the warmer parts of India and eastward to China 

 and the Philippines. 



34423. Aleurites fordii Hemsley. Wood -oil tree. 



From Biloxi, Miss. Presented by Mr. Aristide Hopkins. Ref;eived October 22, 

 1912. 



"These nuts were procured from a tree sent out from the Office of Foreign Seed 

 and Plant Introduction under S. P. I. No. 21013. The nuts are all very large size, 

 and most of them contain eight seeds or kernels instead of five, as in the ordinary 

 form. 



"We believe that this is either a seed or a bud variation." (P. Bisset.) 



For an illustration of the male blossoms of the wood-oil tree, natural size, see Plate I. 



