51 



PARINARI EXCELSUM. Gray-plum. Very large tree from 

 West Africa, valuable both as an ornamental and as a timber tree; 

 also produces edible fruits in great abundance, which are about the 

 size of a large plum, but have large stones and dry, rather insipid 

 pulp. Foliage striking, heavy, the leaves being dark green above, 

 nearly white below, somewhat leathery; white flowers in large ter- 

 minal clusters. Wood compact and durable. 



35469. PARKIA TIMORIANA. Cupang. From O. W. Bar- 

 rett, Manila, P. I. Large, leguminous tree reaching a height of 130 

 feet, with large, vase-shaped, wide-spreading crown. It grows best in 

 rather open, second-growth forests where the dry season is pro- 

 nounced. Requires good soil and plenty of light. The wood is 

 light, soft, and of value for paper pulp. Pods a foot long, relished 

 by cattle, contain 15 to 20 seeds; roasted and eaten by Filipinos. 



PARMENTIERA CEREIFERA. Candle tree. A remarkable 

 tree, native to Panama. It grows to a height of 30 to 40 feet; and 

 produces from the trunk and older branches a profusion of almost 

 sessile, bell-shaped, white or greenish flowers. The long, fleshy 

 fruits, a foot or more in length, and only one-half to three-fourths 

 of an inch in diameter, closely resemble wax candles in color and 

 appearance. They are edible and are delightfully fragrant. 



PASSIFLORA EDULIS. Passion fruit. Perennial vine, suit- 

 able for greenhouses and nearly frost-free countries. Fruit ovoid, 

 2 to 3 inches long, purple, seeds numerous; pulp acidulous, pleas- 

 antly flavored; much used in tropical countries in fruit salads, con- 

 fectionery, and for flavoring ices and cool drinks. Requires rich soil. 

 Best grown on trellises. Closely related to southern maypop. 



PASSIFLORA LIGULARIS. A perennial vine, with evergreen, 

 heart-shaped leaves and strikingly handsome green and purple 

 flowers. Fruits medium sized, roundish or oval, with soft, edible, 

 sweetish pulp embedding numerous small seeds. Used in the prepa- 

 ration of cooling drinks, fruit sirups, and desserts. For fruiting and 

 breeding experiments. 



39223. PASSIFLORA MALIFORMIS. Passion fruit. From 

 F. L. Rockwood, Bogota, Colombia. A climbing vine with attrac- 

 tive flowers, known in Colombia as the "Yellow Curuba." Fruit is 

 about 2 inches in diameter, dingy yellow color when ripe, with a hard 

 coat nearly one-fourth of an inch thick and filled with seeds and a 

 very agreeable pulp, which is eaten without preparation or is often 

 made into delicious sherbets. 



