JUXE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 



13 



50682 to 50685— Continued. 



50683. CoccoLODis sp. Poly^onacete. 



"(No. 876. May 27. 1920.) Plants pre>^eiite(l by Carlos Werckle. El 

 Coyolar, Costa R ca. Mr. Werckle clesorihed tliis as a small tree, ever- 

 green, nnicli branched, and handsonie in appearance. It produces blue- 

 black fruits the size of small plums, with juicy flesh of acid, somewhat 

 astringent flavor, good lor making jellies and preserves and also for 

 eating out of hand when of a good variety. The single stone is rather 

 large. This plant may succeed in southern Florida. It is from the low- 

 lands of Costa Rica and hence tropical in its requirements." 



50684. Maranta sp. Marantace.T. 



"(No. 377. May 27, 1920.) Laireu. Roots i)resented by Carlos 

 Werckl#, El Coyolar, Costa Rica. A plant allied to arrowroot and 

 greatly resembling it in appearance. It yields large numbers of plump 

 tubers, 2 to 4 inches long. These contain much starch, and can be 

 eaten when boiled, though rhey never become soft or mealy. Mr. 

 Werckle thinks the species may be of value as a source of starch be- 

 cause of the large quantity of tubers which each plant produces." 



50685. Nectandra glabrescens Benth. Laiiraceje. 



"(No. 379a. Seed from Rancho Redondo. near San Jose, elevation 

 about 1,500 meters. May 27, 1920.) A round-topped tree growing to 

 about 40 feet, and producing fruits which look like small avocados of 

 the Mexican race. They are obovoid in form, nearly 2 inches long, with 

 a thin black skin and yellow flesh of oily texture and strong aniselike 

 taste which makes them inedible. Of interest as a possible stock plant 

 for the avocado." 



60686 and 50687. 



From Kisantu. Belgian Kongo. Seeds presented by Father H. A'anderyst. 

 Received June 29, 1920. 



50686. Andropogon sp. PoaceiE. Grass. 

 Numbered for convenience in testing by the Ottice of Forage-Crop In- 

 vestigations. 



50687. Brachiaria brizantiia (Hochst.) Stapf. Poace.'p. Grass. 

 {Panicvm brizanthum Hochst.) 



"A tall grass, especially on the higher land. It is very abundant on 

 the uplands and forms a large part of the great grass cover of this 

 grassland country." (Shantz.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49687. 



60688. Persea americaxa Mill. Lauraf eit?. Avocado. 

 (P. gratisslma Gaertn f.) 

 From San Jose, Costa Rica. Collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received June 

 15, 1920. 



"(No. 485.)" {Popenoe.) 

 2210—23 2 



