JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1921. 



51 



"A tree common on the western Peninsula from the Konkan along the coast 

 ranges of India, 40 to 50 feet high, with smooth ovate to lanceolate leaves, 

 and globose fruits the size of a small apple. The numerous yellowish seeds 

 have oily albumen. (Adapted from Cooke, Flora of Bombay, vol. 1, p. 57.) 



"At present the oil from the seeds is used in Calcutta (School of Tropical 

 Medicine) in the treatment of leprosy." (J. F. Rock.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 52859. 



54330. KuBus sp. Rosaceae. 



From San Salvador, Salvador. Seeds collected by P. H. Dorsett, plant 

 introducer. Department of Agriculture. Received September 30, 1921. 



" Seeds secured in the market, San Salvador, September 6, 1921. Cylindric 

 fruits li inches long, 1 inch in diameter, deep maroon in color, with plenty 

 of wine-red juice. Flavor acid but quite pleasant." (Dorsett.) 



54321. CoLEus ROTUNDiroLius (Poir.) Cheval. and Perr. Men- 

 (C. tuberosus A. Rich.) [thacese. 



From Mount S'ilinda, Southern Rhodesia. Tubers presented by W. L. 

 Thompson. Received September 13, 1921. 



" Tubers which serve as food for the natives of this district, and of which 

 we often partake. The native name is zividata. The tubers may be described 

 as a substitute for Irish potatoes. We find that they are fine prepared in the 

 same way as creamed potatoes. They are not very mealy but could scarcely be 

 called watery. If they could be induced to grow to a larger size, with increase 

 rather than decrease of other good qualities, I think they might be quite a use- 

 ful plant. I think they are quite prolific yielders. They require quite a long 

 season to mature, and I presume that, if these reach you in condition to grow, 

 it would be necessary to start them in a greenhouse. The tubers send on* 

 sprouts much as do sweet potatoes." {Thompson.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 51768. 



54322 to 54325. 



From Alipur, Bengal, India. Seeds presented by the Agricultural and Horti- 

 cultural Society of India, through E. N. Reasoner, Oneco, Fla. Received 

 September 28, 1921. 



54322. Cassia alata L. Csesalpiniacese. 



A coarse erect branched shrub 5 to 10 feet high, with stout green 

 branches and pinnate leaves up to 2 feet long. The yellow flowers, 

 1^ inches wide, are in racemes 4 to 20 inches long. The valves of the 

 straight spreading pods have a papery wing running from end to end. 

 The active principle of the seeds is chrysophanic acid. Every portion of 

 the plant is used medicinally. The plant is native to tropical America 

 but is now cultivated all over the Tropics. (Adapted from Rock, 

 Leguminous Plants of Hawaii, p. 83.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 49989. 



54323. DiocLEA lasiocarpa Mart. Fabacese. 



A shrubby plant twining over tall trees, with sparsely pubescent 

 trifoliolate leaves, the somewhat-pointed leaflets 2 to 5 inches long. 

 The purple-violet flowers, with fringed keel and papery deciduous 

 bractlets, are on peduncles 1 to 1^ feet long. Native to tropical 

 American forests. (Adapted from Martius, Flora Brasiliensis, vol. 15, 

 pt. 1, p. 166.) 



54324. Ochna squaekosa L. Ochnacese. 



A shrub or small tree with smooth shining leaves 2 to 5 inches long 

 and fragrant yellow flowers an inch long, clustered on the old wood 

 or on short leafless branchlets. The compound drupaceous fruits are 

 black. Native to the East Indies and Burma. (Adapted from Cooke, 

 Flora of Bombay, vol. 1, p. 196.) 



