1955] 



PLANTS COLLECTED IN ECUADOR 



145 



Hackelochloa granulans (L.) Kuntze, Rev. Gen. PI. 2 : 776. 1891. 



CHIMBORAZO: Canon of the Rio Chanchan near Huigra, 4000-4500 ft (mostly 

 scrub-chaparral, with a few seepages and small swamps along the river), E-2948. 



Coix lachryma-jobi L. Sp. PI. 972. 1753. 



SANTIAGO-ZAMORA ("Oriente"): Near Mendez, 1750-2500 ft, E^947. "Trigo 

 Tropical.*' Propagated by the padres of the Sileciano mission at Mendez, and 

 said to have been brought in (five seeds) from their mission in Colombia two 

 years ago. Leaves somewhat narrower than the wild sort, the most notable and 

 obvious difference being the ribbing on the indurated sheath (fruit covering) and 

 more yellow color at maturity. Physically, this sheath is much thinner than in the 

 wild sort, so that it can be easily cracked between the fingers. This permits it to 

 be milled more easily than the wild sort. The flour is said to be a little heavy 

 and needs to be mixed with wheat flour before it can be used for bread. It is said 

 to be of excellent flavor and to have possibilities as a tropical substitute for 

 barley and other such grains. Horti culturally, it is a better plant than the wild 

 one, for it seems to be more fruitful and also to have the inflorescences lifted 

 above the leaves a little more. At present, the crop is curtailed by the invasion 

 of rodents just at harvest time as grains mature. The padres have found it nec- 

 essary to eradicate the wild material since the two hybridize. Same locality: 

 "wild type," propagated for rosary beads, E-948. 



U. S. National Museum 

 Washington, D. C. 



