78 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



51216 to 51248— Continued. 



51227. Hibiscus sp. Malvacesp. 



(No. 983. Nairobi, Ukamba Province, Kenia. May 25, 1920.) A 

 very attractive flower about three-fourths of an inch in diameter." 



51228. HoLcus sorghum L. Poacefe. Sorghum. 

 {Sorghum vulgare Pers.) 



" (No. 952. About 50 miles above Tanga, Tanganyika Territory. April 

 7, 1920. ) An especially interesting form, differing in habit from all others 

 seen here." 



51229. HoKDEUJii vuLGAEE coELESTE L. Poacesp, ITaked barley. 

 " (No. 963. Moshi, Tanganyika Territory. April 16, 1920.) Hull-less 



barley, said to grow much better than wheat ; a local crop. Small grains 

 suffer from rust chiefly and a rust-resistant variety is essential." 



51230. LuFFA ACUTANGULA (L.) Roxb. CucurbitacesB. Loofah gourd. 

 " (No. 967. Moshi, Tanganyika Territory. April 17, 1920.) A very 



large long type with outstanding ribs on the fruit. Seems distinct from 

 other types seen here." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 42069. 



51231. MusA ENSETE Gmel. Musacese. 



" (No. 976. En route from Embu to Meru, Kenia Province, Kenia. 

 May 3, 1920.) A beautiful ornamental which grows along mountain 

 streams; not eaten by natives here, although the large starchy seeds 

 are occasionally seen in bead strings and as charms. The leaves are 

 long, upright, and beautifully colored; they are used as skirts by the 

 Kukuyu women, and also to tie up bundles. There are about a dozen 

 seeds in each banana, and the natives say, * Banana frqit poison.' The 

 plant should grow wherever frost does not occur too frequently." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 35286. 



51232. NicoTiANA TABACUM L. SolanacesB. Tobacco. 

 " (No. 966. Moshi, Tanganyika Territory. April 16, 1920.) The type 



grown by the natives and sold in powdered form, a small banana-leaf 

 package to each person. The women usually sell the tobacco in the 

 markets." 



* 51233. Oryza sativa L. Poacese. Erice. 



" (No. 954. Moshi, Tanganyika Territory. April 12, 1920.) Grown 

 as a dry-land crop on dark, rich soil previously supporting a splendid 

 high forest. Only a few heads are ripe at this time." 



51234. Gloriosa simplex L. Melanthacese. 



"(No. 984. En route from Embu to Muzambi, Kenia Province, Kenia 

 Colony. May 20, 1920.)" A showy plant somewhat similar to Gloriosa 

 superba and producing a profusion of flowers with stalked reflexed 

 spreading segments 2 inches long, yellow at the base, red on the outside, 

 and recurved at the points. The flowers are one-third smaller than those 

 of the common Gloriosa, asd the segments are nearly oval, entire, acumi- 

 nate, and scarcely undulated except toward the point. The leaves re- 

 semble those of the common Gloriosa and are in like manner terminated 

 by a tendril. (Adapted from Curtis' s Botanical Magazine, pi. 5239; and 

 Gardening Illustrated, vol. 26, p. 556.) 



