86 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



53753. ScLERocARYA CAFFRA Sond. Anacardiaceae. 



From Mount Silinda, Southern Rhodesia, Africa. Seeds presented by Dr. 

 W. L. Thompson. Received May 27, 1921. 



"A tree not found in our forests, but common in the open forest country. 

 It would seem probable that the fruit, improved by selection and breeding, ought 

 to become quite valuable and attractive for the seed used as a nut, if not for 

 the pulp, since the flavor of the kernel is pleasant, especially if slightly roasted. 

 The shell is very hard and tough, but one can obtain the kernel without crack- 

 ing it by prying off with a strong iron point the cap with which the shell is 

 provided. If the kernel were larger and the cap could be removed more easily, 

 it might be quite an attractive nut. As it is, the natives often crack the nuts 

 and eat the kernels." (Thompson.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 52216. 



53754 to 53758. 



From Quito, Ecuador. Collected by Wilson Popenoe, Agricultural Ex- 

 plorer of the Department of Agriculture. Received June 8, 1921. Quoted 

 notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



53754. Cabica chrysopetala Heilborn, Papayacea^. Higacho. 



"(No. 610a. Quito, Ecuador. May 7, 1921.) Seeds of higacho from 

 Bancs, Province of Tungurahua, where it is common in gardens. It 

 does not appear to be grown in Ambato. In the Provinces of Pichincha 

 and Imbabura it is called chamburo and is fairly abundant in the larger 

 towns, such as Quito, Otavalo, and Ibarra. In the Azuay it is called 

 chamhurao and in Loja toronchi; in the former Province it is fairly 

 abundant, but in the latter, with the exception of the northern portion, 

 it appears to be little known. 



" This plant resembles C. candamarcenms in general appearance, though 

 it can readily be distinguished by its leaves which are glabrous or 

 nearly so, while those of C. candamarcensis are pubescent below. The 

 fruits of the higacho are also quite distinct; they are slender oblong, 

 truncate at the base and acute at the apex, and commonly 4 to 6 inches 

 long. When ripe they are greenish to deep yellow; the flesh is thin, 

 even more aromatic than that of C. candamarcensis, and used only when 

 cooked in the form of a sweet conserve or dulce. The species is prob- 

 ably indigenous to the Ecuadorian Andes." 



For an illustration of fruits of the higacho, see Plate V. 



53755. Crataegus stipulosa (H. K. B.) Steud. Malacese. 



"(No. 604. Quito, Ecuador. May 7, 1921.) Plants of Ruagra-manzana 

 or manzana siluestre, from the Protestant cemetery in Quito. This 

 plant, which grows wild along some of the ravines in the vicinity of 

 Quito and is occasionally seen in cultivation, becomes a slendor tree 20 

 to 25 feet high. It has elliptic-lanceolate, serrate leaves and produces 

 during March, April, and May round yellow fruits about an inch in 

 diameter. These are almost identical with tejocotes of Mexico and 

 the manzanilla of Guatemala ; the flesh is whitish, mealy, and rather 

 dry, of pleasant flavor suggesting that of the apple. The seeds are larger 

 and roagh. During the ripening season the fruits are commonly sold in 

 the markets of Quito. 



" For trial in the United States as a stock plant for other rosaceons 

 fruits; as a fruit-bearing species it is less valuable than some of its 

 Central American congeners." 



53756. Onoseris saxtciiolia H. B. K. Asteracese. 



"(No. 605a. Loja. Ecuador, IMay 7, 1921.) Seeds of a half-shrubby com- 

 posite which grows in the region of Loja and also in other parts of 

 southern Ecuador at altitudes of 7,000 to 8,000 feet. It is 5 feet high and 

 produces an abundance of lavender-blue flowers about 2 inches in 

 diameter. It is a pretty perennial, worthy of trial in the United States 

 ns an ornamental plant." 



