84 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



36926. Asparagus lucidus Lindley. Asparagus. 



From Taihoku, Formosa, Japan. Presented by the Bureau of Productive Indus- 

 tries, Government of Formosa. Received December 26, 1913. 

 "This is a scrambling plant of the most \dvid green, forming an entangled mass 

 many feet in length when cultivated in the greenhouse, but in its natural state not 

 even a foot high. It is a native of Macao, whence it was received by the Duke of 

 Northumberland, with whom it has produced little green flowers at Lyon. It is nearly 

 allied to A. falcatus, from which it differs in its smaller solitary leaves and in the 

 flowers not growing in racemes." {Edwards's Botanical Register. 1844. Misc., p. 29, 

 No. 36.) 



36927 to 36929. 



From Bahia, Brazil. Collected by Messrs. P. H. Dorsett, A. D. Shamel, and 

 Wilson Popenoe. of the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received December 27, 

 1913. 



Quoted notes by Messrs. Dorsett, Shamel, and Popenoe. 



36927. Cocos coroxata Martius. Nicuri palm. 

 "(No. 29a. November 28, 1913.) Seeds of the nicuri palm, a species 



common in the region around the city of Bahia. It grows to a height of 20 or 

 30 feet and is usually somewhat scraggly in appearance, on account of the 

 leaves being whipped and torn by the wind. The old leaf bases usually adhere to 

 the trunk and are arranged spirally. gi\TJig a curious twisted appearance to the 

 palm. The leaves are glaucous, and when well grown are very graceful, though 

 not as feathery as Cocos plumosa and others of that type. In the interior of 

 Bahia State this palm is very abundant, according to Dr. ArgoUo Ferrao, and 

 goats feed on the fruits. The hard shell of the seed incloses a kernel which 

 is fed to chickens and is sometimes eaten by the people themselves. The 

 leaves are used as thatch and for making brooms, carpets, and hats; the nicuri 

 hat is commonly worn by the natives in the rural districts around Bahia, and 

 is sold in the markets at from 200 or 300 reis to 1 mjlreis (7 to 35 cents) each, 

 according to quality. The plant is of slow growth. A wild orchid, called here 

 wild vanilla, commonly grows on its trunk. It should be tried in Florida and 

 California. These seeds were obtained at Shr. Pedro da Costa's place in Matatu, 

 a suburb of Bahia." 



36928. Canna sp. Canna. 

 "(No. 30a. November 28, 1913.) Seeds of a wild xanna which grows along 



the roadsides in the suburbs of Bahia. Its flowers are scarlet; the petals are nar- 

 row; the plant grows 3 to 4 feet high. For hybridization." 



36929. Eugenia uxiflora L. Pitanga. 

 "(No. 31a. November 29, 1913.) Seeds of the pitanga from select fruits 



produced at the country home of Dr. Fortunato da Silva in Cabulla, a suburb 

 of Bahia. These fruits were chosen because of their unusually large size and 

 handsome appearance. Should be tested in CaKfomia and Florida as a selected 

 strain of this interesting fruit. The pitanga is extensively used here as a hedge 

 plant, and appeals to us as being unusually good for this purpose. The fruit 

 is esteemed by the natives, especially when made into jelly or preserves. 

 Pitanga sherbet is also popular in Bahia and is serv'ed in the cafes. Since 

 the plant is already known in California and Florida under the name of 'Surinam 

 cherry,' a description of this fruit is not necessary." 



