APRIL 1 TO MAY 31, 1920. 



81 



50684 to 50586 — Continued. 



almost slender habit. In general appearance they can scarcely be distinguished 

 from Guatemalan avocados; the foliage is of a somewhat lighter shade of green 

 than is common in the latter. The leaves are thick and stiff (for an avocado), 

 glabrous on the upper surface, and sparsely puberulent below. The fruits, so 

 far as observed, are borne singly on stout fruitstalks about 4 inches lont. The 

 form is roundish oblate, the greatest diameto" being 2 to 3 inches. The stem 

 is inserted ^vithout depression, nearly centrally, and the apex is oi.!y slightly 

 flattened. There is sometimes a fafint crease down one side of the frUit, Trom the 

 stem nearly to the apex. The surface is moss green in color and distinctly peb- 

 bled. The dots are few to numerous, small and yellowish. The skin is 1 i o 

 millimeters thick, xery coarsely granular in texture, and so hard as to be woody. 

 The flesh is dull whitish or pale brown near the seed, frequently yellowish in the 

 fully ripe fruit, and close to the shell tinged with green. There are no Jibcrs 

 through the flesh, but there are numerous small, hard bodies which sugge^i the 

 stone cells of certain pears. These give the flesh a gritty feeling in the mouth, 

 described as 'sandy' by the natives. The flavor is strong, suggesting anise but 

 \nth a less noticeable nutty flavor, such as is possessed by cultivated avocados. 

 The aniselike element is so predominant and so strong that the fruit is scaicely 

 edible. I am told, however, that it varies in quantity and that the fruits of 

 some trees are much better than those of others. The seed is very large, oblate, 

 ^\-ith both seed coats adhering closely to the cotyledons. It resembles in every 

 way the seeds of many Guatemalan avocados. The flowering season is March 

 and April, and the fruits ripen a year from the following May or June; that is, 

 in 12 to 15 months. The fruits from some of the wild trees are harvested by the 

 native.-? and I'arried into the villages, where they are sold. In general, however, 

 the aguacate de anis is little esteemed, most of the natives going so far as to say 

 it is not good to eat. In regard to the common name, aguacate dt onis is the one 

 generally used in the vicinity of La Palma. and aguacate de mom is occasionally 

 heard. In Turrialba I am told that the name aguacate de man.ana is current. 



''This species will be studied further to determine its relationship with the 

 cultivated avocados. It is introduced with this object in view and in the hope 

 that it may prove to be a \igorous stock plant on which to graft some of the 

 cultivated avocados." 



50586. DuGGENA PANAMEN8I8 (Cav.) Standi. Rubiaceae. 



"(No. 385. May 30, 1920. Herb. No. 991.) Cuttings of an attractive shrub 

 found wild and cultivated in the region of La Palma, at elevations of about 

 5,000 feet. The re,gion is one of cool, moist climate and heavy soil. The plant, 

 which has narrow, long-pointed leaves, is of erect habit and reaches about 10 

 feet in height. Its flowers, which are freely produced on graceful pendent 

 panicles about 4 inches long, are small, star shaped, and of delicate pink color. 

 Said to grow readily from cuttings. The species merits a trial in southern 

 Florida and California." 



50587. Oryza saiiva L. Poaceae. Rice. 

 From Vercelli, Italy. Seed presented by Dr. Novello NovelU, director, Stazione 

 Sperimentaie di Riaicoltura. Received June 12, 1920. 



" Yellow Early Ardizzone." (Novelli.) 



A rice of low erect growth with delicate yellowish green culms. The endosperm is 

 brittle, permitting the securing of a commercial rice of pearly transparent brightness, 

 with a faint yellow tinge. The ability to stool is on the average with, in some cases 

 superior to, that of the common early rices, and from the reports of the weight of the 

 unpolished grain one may conclude tJiat this variety is very productive. The residue 

 from milling is good, and there is but a small percentage of wa.ste. (Adapted from 

 II Giomale di Risicoliura. vol. 9, p. 20.) 



