22 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMTORTED. 



54043. Carissa caraxdas L. Apocvnaceae. Karanda. 



From Poc»na. Bombay, India. Seeds presented by William Bums, economic 

 botanist to the Government of Bombay. Received July 9. 1921. 



A large ^iny evergreen shrub with light-gray scaly bark, elliptic leathery 

 shining leaves li to 3 inches long, and clusters of white funnel-shaped flowers 

 half an inch long. The ellipsoid purplish black edible fruits, which are eaten 

 out of hand and are also made into an excellent jelly for tarts, are largely 

 sold in the native markets in the Konkan. Deccan. and in Kanara. India. 

 (Adapted from Cooke, Flora of Bombay, vol. 2, p. 124-) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 51005. 



54044. Themeda triaxdra ForsJc. Poacete. Kangaroo grass. 

 ( J. forskallii Hack.) 



From Hobart, Tasmania. Seeds presented by F. R. Evans. Director of 

 Agriculture. Agricultural and Stock Departmenr. Received July 27, 

 1921. 



One of the most useful fodder grasses of the veldt as well as one of the 

 commonest. It is a good hay grass and relished by stock, but should be cut 

 before the seed heads turn brown. In the condition in which it is usually cut 

 for hay in March it has but little feeding value, (Adapted from Kcic Bulletin 

 of Miscellaneous Information, 1911, p. 159.) 



54045. DEXDRocALAAirs loxgispathus Kurz. Poaceae. Bamboo. 



From Dehra Dud, India. Seeds presented by R. S. Hole, forest botanist. 

 Forest Research Institute and College. Received July 29, 1921. 



A tufted bamboo which flowers frequently, with culms 60 feet high, glaucous 

 or nearly white when young, the intemodes IS to .30 inches long. 3 to 5 inches 

 in diameter, and with walls one-third of an inch thick. The stem sheaths are 

 densely clothed with dark st'nging hairs. The oblong to linear-lanceolate 

 leaves are rough and almost white beneath, and the panicles are large and leafy. 

 Native to Silhet. Chittagong, Arracan, and Burma. (Adapted from Brandis, 

 Indian Trees, p. 677, and Hooker, Flora of Briti.^h India, vol. 7, p. 407.) 



54046. CAsmiROA sp. Eutacere. White sapote. 



From Los Angeles, Calif. Cuttings presented bv Milo Baker. Received 

 July 16. 1921. 



" Budwood from a tree grown from a cutting received from Central America 

 some years ago and budded into a white-sapote tree. The fruit is practically 

 seedless and about the size of a small apple ; the entire fruit is edible and 

 Terv rich. The tree seems to be a vigorous erower and a prolific fruiter." 

 (Baker.) 



54047. DiospTEOs ltcopersicox Carr. Diospyracea?. 



From Paris. France. Seeds presented by Dr. D. Bois, Paris Museum of 

 Natural History. Received July 13, 1921. 



" The species name, lycopersicon. refers to the appearance of the fruits, which 

 exactly resemble those of the common tomato ( f^olanum lycopersicon) . It is 

 a remarkable si)ecies, not only very ornamental but also valuable for the 

 excellent quality of the fruits, which are the largest and most beautiful known 

 to us. It is originally from Japan, whence, it appears, scions were brought by a 

 physician who sent them to his friend. M. Geny. then director of the Jardin de 

 Nic-e. who grafted them in his garden at Saint Roch." (Revue Horticole, vol. 50, 

 p. 4^0.) 



We believe that this is merely a form of Diospyros kaki. but it needs to be 

 grown before a definite decision can be made. 



54048. DioscoREA batatas Decaisne. Dioscoreacese. Yam. 



From Hereford. England. Tubers presented by Dr. H. E. Durham. " Dun- 

 elm." Received July 23, 1921. 



