14 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



51396 to 51403— Continued. * 



51403. Ullucus tubebosus Caldas. Basellaceae. 



"(No. 448. September 11, 1920.) Tubers of the chugua. Like the 

 hihia {Oxalis tuherosa), the chugua is one of the root crops which has 

 been cultivated by the Indians of the Andes since prehistoric times. The 

 plant is a slender ci-eeper, making stems 2 or 3 feet in length which trail 

 over the ground. It matures in about six months and may be planted 

 (tliere in Colombia) at any season of the year. The tubers resemble in 

 form small potatoes, but are rosy red or light yellowish green. They are 

 oval and rarely over 3 inches long. 



" Like the hihia and cubio, the chugua is usually eaten after boiling 

 with meat or it forms one of the ingredients of a vegetable stew. It likes 

 a light soil and plenty of moisture." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 41196. 



51404 to 51414. 



From the city of Guatemala, Guatemala. Seeds forwarded by H. W. Go- 

 forth, American consul, at the request of Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural 

 Explorer of the United States Department of Agriculture. Received 

 October 14, 1920. Quoted notes by Mr. Popenoe unless otherwise stated. 



51404. Annona uiVEBsiFOLiA Safford. Annoiiacefie. llama. 

 "A small tree with thin, membranaceous foliage and large, conoid, or 



broadly ovoid fruits about 6 inches long. The edible pulp is cream col- 

 ored or rose tinted, inclosing hard, smooth, nutlike seeds. The tree is 

 native to southern Mexico and has been introduced into southern Florida." 

 iW. E. Saftord.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 46781. 



51405. Bybsonima spicata (Cav.) DC. Malpighiacea?. 

 " Nance; flower red and yellow." 



51406. Enteeolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb. Mimosaceae. 

 " Guanacaste; white flowers." 



One of the most beautiful and one of the largest trees of the Pacific 

 region of tropical America, where it grows to an altitude of 900 meters, 

 The trunk sometimes becomes a meter in diameter. The compound leaves 

 close up during the night, and the pods are twisted into a short spiraL 

 The leaves and pods are much relished by cattle. (Adapted from 

 Pittier, Plantas Usuales de Costa Rica, p. 98.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44746. 



51407. GuAiACUM GUATEMALENSE Planch. Zygophyllacefje. 

 " Guayacan: purple flowered." 



" A small tree, sometimes 30 feet high, with a gnarled and twisted 

 trunk, slender branches, and small, delicate leaves. In February or 

 March the tree comes into flower and is then a mass of lavender purple ; 

 it remains in bloom several weeks. The wood is exceedingly hard and is 

 of value for cabinet purposes. The heartwood is a rich brown, while 

 the sapwood is light yellow; both take a fine polish. The tree thrives 

 in a warm climate with little rain." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47900. 



51408. ZiziPHUS sp. llhamnaceie. 

 " Cerezo; white fiowered." 



51409. Phyixocakpus septextrionalis Donu.-Sinith. Csesalpiniaceae. 

 " Flor de mico; red flowers." 



"A magnificent flowering tree found in sandy loam in eastern Guate- 

 mala, at 1,500 to 2,000 feet altitude. It is of broad, spreading habit 46 

 or 50 feet high, with light-green compound leaves. In January and Feb- 

 ruary the tree is a mass of crimson-scarlet flowers, which are borne in 

 small clusters and are each about an inch broad." 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 44775. 



A tree of this species is shown in Plate IV. 



