OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 192^). 



13 



51396 to 51403— Contmued. 



curivba. The vine is not quite so ornamental as that of some other 

 species, but the fruit is considered one of the best. It is slender oblong- 

 oval, 2 to 4 inches long, and slightly more than an inch thick, with a thin, 

 leathery pericarp (not brittle, as in most other species) inclosing many 

 black seeds, each surrounded by an orange-colored, juicy aril. The 

 flavor is sprightly and aromatic. While much eaten out of hand, the 

 fruit is perhaps best when prepared in the form of creme de curuba or 

 when made into an ice. Certainly the curuba is one of the most popular 

 fruits in Bogota." 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 43766. 



51400. Physalis peruviana L. Solanace?e. Poha. 

 "(No. 451a. September 11, 1920.) Seeds of uchuha, a form of the ground 



cherry, or husk cherry, cultivated in the Colombian highlands. The plant 

 reaches about 4 feet in height, and the fruits are oval to nearly round, 

 up to an inch in length, deep yellow when fully ripe, and much esteemed 

 for making dulces, or preserves." 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 48181. 



51401. RuBUS MACEOCAKPUS Beuth. Rosacese. Colombian berry. 

 "(No. 446a. September 11, 1920.) Seeds of the mom. This is the giant 



Colombian blackberry, first called to our attention by Frank M. Chapman, 

 of the American Museum of Natural History, and last year introduced into 

 the United States, on a very limited scale, through the efforts of Frederick 

 L. Rockwood, of Bogota. It is a remarkable berry and one which will be 

 of great interest, I believe, to North American horticulturists. 



" Frank M. Chapman, M. T. Dawe, and others have spoken of this 

 species as the mora de Gastilla. This name is, indeed, sometimes applied 

 to it, but it is given to various species of Rubus as well, the term ' de 

 Castilla ' being applied to a great many products of the country, signify- 

 ing that they are of good quality (everything good being supposed to 

 emanate in colonial days from Castile or Spaing. Many of the natives 

 with whom I have talked know the species simply as mora. Since it is 

 not greatly like our northern berries I suggest that it be called the 

 Colombia/n berry instead of the giant blackberry, thus honoring the land 

 of its origin. 



" The species seems limited to regions of very particular climatic 

 conditions; I have seen it only at altitudes of 8,500 to 9,500 feet, in 

 moist mountain meadows on the outer edge of the mesa or plateau of 

 Bogota, where the clouds drift up from the valley and keep the plants 

 bathed almost constantly in mist. It grows among brush and large ferns, 

 its coarse canes reaching to about 10 feet in height and often recurving 

 somewhat. The leaves, which are trifoliolate, are large and coarse. The 

 flowers are produced singly at the ends of stalks 3 to 5 inches long, half 

 a dozen or more of them arising from the summit of a single cane. The 

 flowers are rosy purple and nearly an inch in diameter. 



** The berries, which ripen principally from October to December in the 

 region where I have studied the plant (El Penon, between Sibate and 

 Fusagasuga), are variable in form, some being heart shaped and com- 

 pressed on two sides, others ovoid, and still others oblong. The largest 

 are about 2 inches in length. The individual drupelets are large, and 

 each contains a hard, slender, oblong seed ; the torus or receptacle is large 

 and extends well into the center of the fruit; when ripe it separates 

 readily from the drupelets and can be removed before the fruit is eaten. 

 The color of the ripe berry is deep maroon-red. It is juicy and of pleasant 

 flavor, not distinctly resembling the blackberry in this particular. It is 

 used mainly for preserving or making dulces and is frequently seen in 

 the Bogota markets, where it is much in demand and commands a good 

 price." 



Plate III shows two fruits (natural size) of this species. 



51402. Rubus sp. Rosacea. Blackberry. 

 "(No. 4.o3a. ' September 11, 1920.) Seeds of mora, a fine large black- 

 berry from the Bogota market. The fruits are 1^ inches long, thick in 

 proportion to their length, and of good flavor and quality. The species 

 grows wild not far from Bogota." 



18523—23 2 



