OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1J>20. 



11 



51388. Xanthosoma SAGn-rAEFOLiuM (L.) Schott. Araceae. 



Yautia. 



From Coban, Alta Vera Paz. (xuateniala. Tubers presented l)y Harry John- 

 son. Received October 12, 1920. 

 The Kesh-mtiiotc, purchased in the market place, Coban. These appear to b(^ 

 very good examples of the common variety seen about here. Those grown at 

 Chama are as a rnh^ smaller. They are usually sold boiled and peeled, to be 

 eaten out of hand, l)y tlu- liidians. The c(i>^tom of cooking the various native 

 vegetables and selling them by portion is evidently an old one, as it is every- 

 where apparent." (Johnson.) 



" The tuber of the Kesh-camote received is a white-fleshed yautia of vei*y good 

 quality. It is short and thick and about 5 ounces in weight." (R. A. Young.) 



51389 to 51395. 



From Bogota, Colombia. Seeds collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural 

 Explorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received 

 October 13, 1920. Quoted notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



51389. Oartca cani)a>i^rcensis Hook. f. Papayacea*. 



"(No. 456a. September 20, 1920.) Papaya. Evidently this hardy 

 species, which is common in gardens on the mesa or plateau of Bogota, 

 goes by the same name as the papaya of the lowlands, the true Carica 

 papaya, although the iwo species are quite distinct in the character of 

 their fruit. 



" Carica candamarcenms is sufficiently hardy to be grown in many parts 

 of southern California, and I believe it worth establishing in that State. 

 I have grown it myself at Altudena, but unfortunately the plants were all 

 of one sex, and I never had any fruit. 



" In general appearance the species greatly resembles C. papaya, except 

 that it is somewhat smaller in its leaves and fruits. It grows to about 

 20 feet in height. The fruits are the size of a large lemon, or about 

 4 inches long, elliptic in form and deeply ribbed. They are deep yellow 

 or orange when ripe and very aromatic — quite a contrast in this respect 

 to the true papaya. The flesh is scarcely half an inch thick, and the seed 

 cavity is filled with seeds and the arils which surround them. The fruit 

 is not eaten out of hand but is cooked in sirup, to make a very good dulce." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49473. 



A fruiting tree of this species is shown in Plate I. 



51390. Cyclanthkka peoata (L.) S( hiad. Cucurhit!ie<.w. 



"(No. 458a. September 20^ 1920.) A cucurbit commonly sold in the 

 market of Bogota and falsely called pepino (cucumber), since it is not 

 eaten as a salad, like the cucumber, but is served relleno or stuffed with 

 forcemeat and baked, as are sweet peppers in the North. It is long and 

 slender, tapering to a point at the apex ; about 5 inches long, light green, 

 with a hollow cavity in the center." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 29330. 



Fruits of this vine are shown in Plate II. 



51391. Lavatkua assurcextiflora Kellogg. Malvaceae. 



"(No. 455n. Septeml)er 20. 1920.) Malvlsco. A malvaceous shrub 

 cultivated in dooryards at Neinocon. north of Bog<jta. at an altitude of 

 alK)ut 8,G00 feet. The plant reaches aijout 8 feet in height, is half woody 

 and bushy in habit. The flowers are about 2 inches broad, somewhat 

 like hollyhocks in form, and purplish red." 



51392. Tacsoxta sp. Pfissitloracejip. 



"(No. 461a. September 20, 1920.) Curiiha. This is a somewhat rare 

 species with red fruits (wherein it differs from the common curuha of 

 tills region). Also, I believe the plant is somewhat more decorative 

 rhaii ihe (•<»nuiion si)ecies. tlio flovNors being of a livelier sliade of pink. 



