42 



SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPOBTED. 



used as a flavoring for cakes, ice cream, ami drinlcs and in fruit salads. The 

 vine grows well in any t»rdiuary open soil with abundant fertilizer. The rich 

 green foliage is very ornamental." (F. O. Fopenoe.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44854. 



49476. Bactris maraja Mart. Phoenicaceae. Palm^ 

 From Bahia, Brazil. Seeds presented by H. M. Curran. Received March 

 2. 1920. 



"(Bahia. December. 1919.) A palm said to gi-ow in a swamp: has a spiny 

 stem and produces clusters of edible dark-purple fruits resembling grapes in 

 appearance and flavor. The fruits are very common in the markets in Ilheos. 

 where these were obtained : they are called • nianvel velho.' or swamp coconut." 

 {Curran.) 



49477 to 49479. 



From Kafue. Northern Rhodesia. Collected l>y Dr. H. I.. Shantz. Agri- 

 cultural Explorer for the Bureau of Plant Industry. Received ]March ."». 

 1920. Quoted notes by Dr. Shantz. 



49477. AuLOTANDRA sp. ZinzlberacesB. 



•'(No. 320. December 4, 1919.) Roots of a beautiful orchidlike plant 

 which forms a spike about 6 inches high, upon which one flower appears 

 at a time. The flowers, about 2 to 3 inches across, have pale-yellow 

 centers with the edges white to lavender or reddish lavender. They open 

 in the morning and last most of the day. The swc»llen roots have a 

 delicate flavor and are aromatic." 



49478. ArLoTAXURA sp. Ziuziberaeea;. 



"(No. 321. December 4, 1919.) Roots of a delicate Aulotandra with, 

 a lacelike pure-white flower with a touch of yellow in the center, which 

 opens in the early evening and fades as soon as the sun strikes it the next 

 day. Only one flower is pushed up at a time. Like the preceding 

 number [No. 49477] but more delicate, and the spike* remains under the 

 ground." 



49479. LissocHiLUS abexabius Lindl, Orcliidaceae. 



'•(No. 322. December 4, 1919.) Tubers of a beautiful land ur soil 

 orchid with a spike 1^ to 2^ feet high, bearing beautiful lavender flowers. 

 The flower spike appears in advance of tlie leaves. This is one of the 

 most attractive orchids I have seen." 



49480. DiosPYEOS ebexaster Eetz. Diospyracese. Black sapote. 



From Salina Cruz. Oaxaca. Mexico. Seeds presented by Wilbur Barker. 

 Received March 9. 1920. 

 " The black sapote. which is native to Mexico, is a compact and shapely 

 ornamental tree ^vith oblong-oval glossy leaves about 4 inches long. The 

 fruits, which greatly resemble those of the kaki, or Japanese i>ersimmon, are 

 light green when ripe and from 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The dark-brown <»r 

 almost black flesh is sweet and when cut up or mashed with orange juice makes 

 a first-rate dish." {WUson Popenoe.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44187. 



49481. Prosopis stephaniana (Bieb.) Kunth. Mimosacese. 



From Algiers, Algeria, Seeds presented by Dr. L. Trabut. Received March 

 9, 1920. 



"Ayaba, south of Biskra. Algeria." (Trahut.) 



