JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1922. 



25 



54890 to 54895— Continued. 



54805. SiDEROxYLON MACBAKTHUM Merr. Sapotaceae; 



" Collected in the Philippine Islands by F. X. Williams." 



A large Philippine tree with somewhat leathery, shining leaves up to 7 

 inches in length and small creamy white flowers which are crowded in 

 clusters at the tips of the branches. The roundish fruits, slightly over 

 an inch in diameter, are two to three seeded. (Adapted from Merrill, 

 Netv or Noteworthy Philippine Plants No. ^, Manila Bureau of Oovern- 

 ment Laboratories, No. 35, p. 56.) 



54896 to 54898. Erythrina spp. Fabacese. 



From Honolulu, Hawaii. Seeds presented by Dr. H. L. Lyon, in charge, 

 Department of Botany and Forestry, Experiment Station of the Hawaiian 

 Sugar-Planters' Association. Received March T, 1922. 



*' Seeds collected in Honolulu, February, 1922." (Lyon.) 



54896. Eeythkina variegata Stickm. 

 (E. indica Lam.) 



« 



For description, see S. P. I. No. 54898. 



54897. Erythrina monosperma Gaud. 



Wilitvili. A tree 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 feet) in height, with a spread- 

 ing crown of stiff, gnarled branches and terminal clusters of brick-red, 

 orange, or pale-yellow flowers. The pods contain scarlet or dark-red 

 seeds. The wood is soft and very light and was used by the Hawaiians 

 for the float on the outrigger of their dugout canoes. The tree inhabits 

 dry regions on all the Hawaiian Islands, though cattle have nearly ex- 

 terminated it on Kauai, Molokai, and Oahu. (Adapted from Rock, 

 Leguminous Plants of Hawaii, p. 181.) 



54898. Erythrina variegata Stickm. 

 (E. indica Lam.) 



Indian coral tree, or tiger's-claw. A moderate-sized, quick-growing, 

 deciduous tree, native throughout India from th^ foot of the Himalayas 

 into Burma, but cultivated all over the Tropics. The clusters of large, 

 bright-red flowers appear before the leaves. The pods, 4 to 8 inches long, 

 contain several dark-carmine seeds. The flowers are dried for use as a 

 dye; the bark is usjd for tanning and dyeing and yields an excellent, 

 pale straw-colored fiber. The leaves are used as cattle fodder ; the bark 

 and leaves are also used medicinally. The open-grained, light wood is 

 durable and does not split or warp ; it is used for boxes, toys, trays, and 

 also for firewood. Much of the lacquered ware of India is made of the 

 wood of this tree. (Adapted from Rock, Ornamental Trees of Hawaii, 

 p. 119.) 



54899. ZiNziBER sp. Zinziberaceae. Ginger. 



From Canton, China. Seeds presented by F. A. McClure, instructor. Canton 

 Christian College. Received February 20, 1922. 



" Ye Kaung. A species of ginger with deep-yellow flowers borne on leafless 

 stalks and black seeds in a red receptacle. Found at the edge of a thicket at 

 Patkaleng." {McClure.) 



54900 and 54901. 



From Mayaguez, Porto Rico. Tubers presented by T. B. ^McClelland, horti- 

 culturist, Porto R'co Agricultural Exi^eriment Station. Receivefl March 

 16, 1922. 



54900. DioscoREA alata L. Dioscoreaceie. Greater yam. 



Purple Ceylon. This yam. so called because of the purple color of its 

 flesh, was imported in 1S08 from Ceylon for the experiment station, 

 and, on account of its pleasing flavor, has become a favorite variety. 

 Any part of the tuber may be utilized for planting vrith the assurance 

 that it will y eld a profitable crop. At the experiment station half- 

 pound seed pieces cut from tlie lower ])art of the root produced an 

 average of nearly pounds per pbuit. This is a splendid weight for a 



