JUNE 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1920. 



59 



51116 to 51125— Continued. 



51118. CoRDiA NiTiDA Vahl. Boraginaceae. 



"(No. 415a. July 1,1920.) Seeds of muneco. The mufieco is commonly 

 planted in and about San Jose as a street tree, or as an ornamental 

 tree in parks and gardens. It reaches a height of 40 feet, and forms 

 a broad, shapely crown of deep-green foliage. It is quick growing and 

 rather soft wooded, so that limbs are sometimes broken off by storms. 

 The orange-red fruits, which are produced in clusters 4 to 6 inches 

 across, are individually the size of small cherries. They are not edible, 

 but since they remain on the tree a long time they are of decorative 

 value." 



51119. Ceotaiabia verbucosa L. Fabaceae. 



"(No. 413a. July 1, 1920.) Seeds of a plant found abundantly at 

 Puntarenas, in abandoned or uncultivated places close to the seashore. 

 It seems less woody in character than Crotalaria retusa, and likely, 

 therefore, to make a better crop for use as a green manure. It reaches 

 about 18 inches in height, and bears attractive white and pale-blue 

 flowers. Evidently it is an annual. It should be tested as a cover 

 crop in the South, especially on sandy lands." 



51120. CuPANiA sp. Sapindace{E. 



"(No. 414a. July 1, 1920.) Paraiso. Seeds presented by Carlos 

 Werckl^, of El Coyolar, Costa Rica. Mr. Werckle states that this is a 

 handsome ornamental tree, indigenous in the region about Coyolar, and 

 probably not described botauically. It should be tested in southern 

 Florida." 



51121. Paspalum notatum Fluegge. Poace/ie. Grass. 

 "(No. 418a. July 1, 1920.) Gengibrillo. Seeds presented by Alfredo 



Quiros. From sea level up to 5,000 feet this is probably the most impor- 

 tant of the pasture grass cultivated in Costa Rica ; above 5,000 or 6,000 

 feet it is injured by frost and is not, therefore, extensively planted. 

 In the lowlands it is especially esteemed ; it makes a compact sod, crowd- 

 ing out weeds and other grasses, and affording an abundance of nourish- 

 ing green forage, eaten readily by both horses and cattle. It rarely 

 grows more than a foot in height, and where pastured constantly does 

 not often reach more than 6 inches. For trial in the Everglades region 

 of southern Florida." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 37996. 



51122. PoLAKOwsKiA TACAco Pitticr. Cucurbitacese. 



"(No. 422. July 1, 1920.) Seeds of tacaco. Among Costa Ricans this 

 is one of the most popular of all vegetables, and it is regularly sold in the 

 market of San Jose during a large part of the year. 



" In general character the tacaco suggests the chayote. The plant, 

 which is commonly cultivated on arbors or allowed to climb over trees, has 

 a leaf resembling that of the chayote in shape but differing in texture ; and 

 the fruit, which falls to the ground when mature, is about 3 inches long, 

 elliptic in outline. Frequently it has a few short spines about the base ; 

 elsewhere it is smooth. When boiled it is considered to have a richer 

 flavor than the chayote, but the flesh is somewhat fibrous. 



" The tacaco should be tried in the chayote-growing regions of the 

 United States. Doubtless it would be possible to reduce the proportion 

 of fiber and otherwise improve the fruit by selection." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47329. 



