68 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



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

 seeds abundant. In appearance the plant is similar to Psidium guajava. 

 For guava breeding experiments." 



37923. ZiziPHUS joazeiro Mart. Rhamnacese. Jua. 

 "(No. 158a. Joazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. February 23, 1914.) Seed of 



the jua, collected from wild trees on the caatinga near the river 2 miles 

 below town. This interesting and valuable tree is common on the 

 caatingas or dry lands bordering on the Rio Sao Francisco from Joazeiro 

 nearly up to the border of the State of Minas Geraes. Here at Joazeiro 

 it is quite common, but the trees are usually found scattered among the 

 other plants on the caatinga and do not occur in large groves. In places 

 where cattle and horses can get at the trees while young they are kept 

 eaten off almost to the ground, and have a peculiar dwarfed, stunted ap- 

 pearance. When allowed to develop to mature size the tree forms a 

 beautiful, dense green, umbrageous head of foliage 30 feet in diameter. 

 The leaves are somewhat hard and brittle in texture, oval to ovate, about 

 2 inches in length. The small wood is armed with short, stiff thorns, 

 which are not, however, particularly dangerous. The fruit varies greatly 

 in size, according to the tree by which it is produced. The best fruits are 

 nearly an inch in diameter, creamy yellow in color, spherical or nearly 

 so. Inside the thin skin is a thick layer of mealy flesh, within whicli 

 lies the seed and the layer of translucent, mucilaginous pulp which sur- 

 rounds it. The seed is about the size and shape of a small olive stone. 

 The pulp adheres to it very closely and can scarcely be separated even 

 in the mouth. The flavor is peculiar and somew^hat insipid. The trees 

 bear prodigiously, the ground under them being covered with fruits at 

 the end of the season. Sheep, cattle, horses, and swine eat the fruit 

 greedily, and it is considered wholesome for them. The principal value 

 of this tree would seem to be as a source of stock feed in dry regions, 

 both the fruits and the foliage being of value for this purpose. In addi- 

 tion, the ornamental value of the tree and its drought-resisting qualities 

 commend it for culture in arid regions. While it is probably not very 

 hardy, it seems likely to be adapted to the Southwest." 



37924. Inga affinis DC. Mimosacese. . Jatuba. 

 "(No. 181a. Joazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. February 24, 1914.) Jatuha. 



A native leguminous tree of slow growth, furnishing lumber extensively 

 used in boat building. The pod in which the seeds are produced con- 

 tains a soft, sweet pulp which is sometimes eaten." 



37925. Phaseolus semieeectus angustieolius Martins. Fabacese. 

 "(No. 183a. Joazeiro, Bahia, Brazil. February 24, 1914.) Seed of 



a brown-flowered leguminous plant 3 to 4 feet high, very slender and 

 with few branches. Common near the river in Horto Florestal. Grows 

 in clay soil near the bank of the Rio Sao Francisco. Flowers deep 

 brown, pealike in form." 



37926. Aleueites moluccana (L.) Willd. Euphorbiacese. Lumbang". 

 "(No. 190a. Bahia, Brazil. March 9, 1914.) Seeds of the nogueira, 



from the small park in the praga of Piedade. According to Dr. Argollo 

 Ferrao, these seeds are eaten by the natives. A rapid-growing tree, 

 which bears heavily in this climate." 



37927. Bactris caryotaefolia Mart. Phoenicacere. Palm. 

 "(No. 191a. Bahia, Brazil. March 9, 1914.) Palm seeds sold in 



the market under the name of manivelho. The seed is surrounded by 



