64 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



37872 to 37936— Contd. (Quoted notes by Dorsett and Popenoe.) 



37895. BuNCHosiA sp. Malpighiacere. Cafe do matto. 

 "(No. 112a. Lagoa Santa, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 5, 1914.) 



Caf6 do matto. A tree about 25 feet high, producing clusters of bright- 

 red fruits the size of small cherries. Each fruit contains one large seed 

 surrounded by a viscous, sticky substance, of sweetish flavor but very 

 astringent. The leaves are said to make a tea equal to mat6, and the 

 fruit to have medicinal value." 



37896. Zea mays L. Poacefe. Corn. 

 "(No. 114a. Vespasiano, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 5, 1914.) 



Two ears of corn from a field in the edge of town. Picked at random. 

 The crop in general is not yet ripe." 



37897. PsiDiuM sp. Myrtaceae. Guava. 

 "(No. 127a. Pirapora, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 10, 1914.) 



A wild guava, produce(| by a small tree 15 to 20 feet high, abundant 

 along the banks of the Rio Sao Francisco in this region. The fruits, 

 while rather small in size, are remarkable for the large proportion of 

 pulp to seeds. The seeds are not only small but very few in number. 

 The pulp is yellowish in color and of very agreeable flavor, having very 

 little of the musky flavor so much objected to in most guavas. The 

 size of the fruit is about 1 to 1^ inches in length by 1 inch in breadth, 

 color light green, light yellow when fully ripe. Should be given a trial 

 in Florida and California." 



37898. Bromklia sp. Bromeliaceae. Bromelia. 

 "(No. 118a. Pirapora, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 9, 1914.) A 



plant similar in general appearance to the pineapple, except that the 

 spines on the leaf margins are fewer and larger. Common on the 

 campo here. Fruits individually about IJ inches in length, plump, oval, 

 containing several seeds. Very similar to the gravatd sent in from 

 Bahia. For breeding experiments." 



37899. Attalea sp. Phoenicacere. Palm. 

 "(No. 119a. Pirapora. Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 9, 1914.) 



Seed of a native palm from the region near the Rio Sao Francisco 

 beiow here. Kernels said to be very good to eat. Presented by Mr. 

 Barker, of this place, who states that there were 82 nuts in the cluster 

 from which this came." 



37900. Celtis moeifolia Planch. Ulmacese. Jua mirim. 

 "(No. 121a. Pirapora, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 10, 1914.) 



Jua mirim or small jua, growing on the river bank right in town. The 

 tree is about 30 feet high, somewhat spreading in habit. Fruits about 

 one-fourth of an inch in diameter, orange colored, much sought after 

 by children." 



37901. Bakyxylum dubium (Spreng.) Pierre. Cfesalpiniaceae. 

 (Peltophorutn vogelianum Walp. ) 



"(No. 122a. Pirapora, Minas Geraes, Brazil. February 10, 1914.) 

 Seed of a large tree 50 to 60 feet high, broad and spreading, giving fine 

 shade. A handsome ornamental tree. Flowers bright yellow, with 

 golden-yellow anthers. Called cana fistula here, but this name properly 

 belongs to another plant. Seed obtained from trees growing on the bank 

 of the Rio Sao Francisco at the landing across from railroad station." 



