78 



STRYCHXOS SPINOSA. Kafir orange. Remarkable East 



African shrub or small tree with evergreen foliage and short spines. 

 Bears large, round, green fruits with extremely hard shells. When 

 these ripen they turn yellow and scent the rocm with the fragrance 

 of cloves. The seeds have a small amount of strychnin in them. 

 The flesh is edible, reminding one of a brandied peach. 



38828. SYRINGA AMUREXSIS. Lilac. From F. X. Meyer, 

 Tahuashan, Shensi, China. A tree found in great masses on rocky 

 mountain slopes at altitudes of 3,000 to 5,000 feet. Of value as a 

 stock for standard lilacs and for hybridization purposes. Attractive 

 when in flower and useful as a hardy shrub. 



40709. SYRINGA sp. Lilac. Collected by F. N. Meyer near 

 Palitang, Kansu, China. Small bush 3 to 5 feet high, with -mall 

 leaves. Apparently very floriferous. Found with Amygdalus da- 

 vidiana covering loess slopes at altitudes of 3,500 feet. Of value 

 as a hardy flowering shrub fcr the dry and cool sections of the United 

 States. 



43559. TACCA PI NX ATI F ID A . Polynesian arrowroot. 



Perennial herb, about 2 feet in height, allied to the yams {Dioscorea 

 spp.). It produces edible starchy tubers (resembling young po- 

 tatoes) which yield the Polynesian or East Indian arrowroot. The 

 tubers mature as the plants die down. Inasmuch as they contain a 

 very bitter principle, the tubers are grated into water, which is poured 

 olf after the starch settles. This washing is usually repeated several 

 times. The arrowroot frcm this plant is said to be a superior food 

 for invalids. The natives of Tahiti get an excellent straw for hats 

 from the leaf and flower stalks. The plant thrives even on the sanoy 

 shores of tropical countries and may possibly endure, a temperate 

 climate. 



39856. TAMARIX APHYLLA. Tamarisk. From Mr. Thomas 

 W. Brown, Cairo, Egypt. Timber and ornamental tree, up to 30 

 feet high. Said to be by far the best of the Egyptian species for 

 cultivation as a timber tree on desert land. Used as a wind and 

 sand break. Withstands a large amount of chlorin. The terminal 

 panicle of light-pink flowers against the gray green of the tree forms 

 a very attractive contrast. 



TAMARIX CHINENSIS. Tamarisk. From F. X. Meyer, 

 China. Extremely rapid-growing tree or shrub, branching close to 

 the ground, making excellent windbreaks and even hedges. The 

 Chinese make baskets of the twigs. One of the most drought and 

 ?]kali resistant of all plants; cuttings put in the ground just after a 

 rain grow easily. Recommended for the south side of wind belts on 

 the Great Plains. 



