60 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



50352. Crepis breviflora Delile. Cichoriacese. 



Prom Cairo, Egypt. Seeds presented by Thomas W. Brown, director, Horti- 

 cultural Section, Gizeh Branch, Ministry of Agriculture. Received May 21, 

 1920. 



An Egyptian annual, 50 centimeters to 1 meter high, with a slender, zigzag, 

 dichotomous, corymbose stem. The lower leaves are ovate-oblong, and the stem 

 leaves are linear-lanceolate with sagittate bases. The heads of yellow flowers are 

 very small. (Adapted from Muschler, Manual Flora of Egypt, p. 1067.) 



This genus forms an unusually promising subject for genetic research, and these 

 seeds were introduced for puiposes of comparison and experimental breeding at 

 th.3 University of California Agricultural Experiment Station. 



50353. Aleurites Montana (Lour.) Wilson. Euphorbiacese. 



Mu-oil tree. 



From Port Louis, Mauritius. Seeds presented by G. Regnard. Received June 

 8, 1920. 



The mu-yu shu [mu-oil or woDd-oil tree], an ornamental tree cultivated for its oil 

 in subtropical southeastern China. In spring it is a beautiful sight, resembling a 

 plum tree in full flower. The flowers are white with pink and yellow markings. 

 The deciduous leaves are broadly ovate and heart shaped at the base. The fruit is 

 egg shaped, 5 to 6 centimeters (about 2 inches) long, with three longitudinal and 

 many transverse much -raised ridges ; the interior part of the fruit is thick and woody 

 and is not easily rotted by fermsntation. It incloses usually three obovoid seeds 

 each about 3 centimeters long, warty outside. When ripe, the fruit opens from the 

 base upwards into three parts, and the seeds can then be readily extracted and crushed 

 for oil. This oil is largely used in the paint and varnish industries. (Adapted from 

 Bulletin, of the Imperial Institute, vol. 11, p. 441, and Agricultural Gazette of New 

 South Wales, vol. 29, p. 437.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 36897. 



50354 to 50356. 



From the island of Guam. Seed presented by Glen Briggs, agronomist, Guam 

 Agricultural Experiment Station, through Prof. C. V. Piper. Received May 

 6, 1920. 



50354. Alysicarfus vaginalis (L.) DC. Fabaceae. 



"This is probably the same as S. P. I. No. 26786. It proved to be the most 

 promising species of Alysicarpus of all those in our trials and for a time promised 

 to be an exceedingly valuable introduction. For some reason not clear the 

 plant failed after the first year or two, but its general character is such that it is 

 worthy of extensive testing to ascertain if possible the exact conditions which 

 it requires." {Piper.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 26786. 

 60355. Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin. Poacese. Lovi-lovi grass. 



''This grass is abundant in the Indo-Malay region. At Hongkong it is used 

 extensively for lawns. In the Philippines and India it furnishes a good deal 

 of native pasturage, but is objectionable from the fact that when it is allovred to 

 fruit the fruits are sharp pointed, like needles, and so cause some injury to the 

 animals. Besides, they are a nuisance in sticking in the clothing. We have 

 experimented with it somewhat in Florida, -where it succeeds well enough, but 

 thus far it has not proved to be aggressive." (Piper.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 37567. 



