106 BULLETIN 1282, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
base. Veins distinct. Upper surface rather light green, lower lighter than 
upper. 
Petiole: Long (14 to 1% inches; ratio of length of petiole to iength of blade 
averages 1:3—-); slender, especially near blade. Groove wide and shallow. 
Glands one to eight, often four to six, small oval, greenish gray; basal pair 
often slightly stipulate. 
Bearing habit——Mostly cn spurs on wood 2 to 4 years old; occasionally on 
terminal growths. Spurs medium in length (4 inch) ; rather stocky (% inch) 3° 
expand gradually to wide oval disk 7 by 4 inch. Spurs usually numerous. 
Buds long, somewhat pointed, plump at base; scales moderately thick, tough, 
reddish brown, with short pubescence. 
Immature nut—Medium (average about 1? by 14 by 1% inches). Shape plump 
ovate. Ventral edge curved more than dorsal; no marked ridge. Dorsal edge 
considerably curved. Base plump, round, dorsally sloping. Apex somewhat 
tapering and pointed. Style usually drops early. Rudiment small, pubescent. 
Hull: Outer surface deep bright green; pubescence abundant, fine, rather 
short, felty. Inner surface changes rapidly from light green to brown when 
dehiscing. Dehisces first on ventral edge and often later on dorsal edge; cracks 
in hull near base common. 
Hulled nut—(Pl. XI, HE.) Size rather large (average, 13 by 14 by ¢ inches). 
Number of nuts to the pound, 90 to 120. Percentage of kernel to nut in hand- 
cracked samples, 45. 
Shape: Plump; wide, pointed ovate (viewed edgewise, ovate, usually with 
unsymmetrical sides and tapering apex). Ventral edge very plump, sharply 
curved at base, curved to quite straight in middle, tendency to straighten at 
point, giving the apex pointed appearance; wing thin to thick, medium in 
prominence, in some cases being most prominent near apex, but generally most 
prominent near base. Dorsal edge very plump, much curved, usually curved 
most at apex; dorsal ridge medium to wide, indefinite to prominent in elevation. 
Base very plump, round or truncate, sloping dorsally, only occasionally at right 
angles to axis; ventral shoulder rounding to slightly square; dorsal shoulder 
rounding to sloping ; stem scar medium to large, round, or oval, depressed. Apex 
tapering from near base, sharpness of point varies, immediate apex plump or 
thin. Frequently with sharp point. (Sides bulging to incurving when viewed 
edgewise. ) 
Shell: Usually just within the soft-shell class; can be cracked with fingers; 
outer shell medium in thickness; varies from soft and crumbly to hard and 
firm. Color dark brown. Pits medium to large on same nut; vary in shape 
but mostly round. Surface between pits smooth or finely stippled. Grooved at 
base and along ventral edge. Dorsal ridge pitted or grooved with very short 
grooves. Canals medium in size, fine network of medium-sized fibers. Some 
spongy material between outer and inner shell. Inner shell of medium thick- 
ness, hard and brittle. Inner surface medium to dark brown, darker than 
outer. Ventral streak very dark brown with irregular margins; long; very 
wide, tapering from middle to base. 
Kernel: Very large proportion of doubles (65 to 75 per cent). Size medium 
to large (average 1 by 2 by 3 inch). In some types of Philopenas one kernel 
develops at the expense of the other, producing a single deformed kernel or 
kernel with crease in side. Kernels usually fill shell cavity well. Shape of 
Single kernels plump, cuneiform-ovate. Ventral side much shorter than dorsal 
when measured from apex to base scar. Dorsal shoulder square and sloping 
and thinner than the ventral shoulder. Ventral shoulder sloping. Apex two- 
thirds of nut tapering. Pellicle light to dark brown, thick, very pubescent ; 
pellicle fold small, base scar dark brown, usually round. Flavor pleasantly 
sweet and nutty. 
Distinguishing characteristics —Nut large, plump, ovate; base usually sloping 
dorsally; apex tapering; dorsal edge much curved, dorsal ridge pitted or 
grooved; ventral edge and base with short, coarse grooves; pits large and deep; 
ventral streak dark brown, tapering from middle to base. Kernels mostly 
doubles, flavor sweet and nutty, pellicle pubescent. 
In shape this nut resembles Barclay, Crown, O’Neil, and Silvershell. The 
pink edge of the Barclay and the scimitar-shaped apex of the Crown are 
sufficient to prevent confusion with the Philopena. The Philopena is easily dis- 
tinguished from the O’Neil by the dark reddish colored shell, rather blunt 
apex, and pronounced ridges on the ventral edge parallel with the wing on 
the latter. The Philopena is so much larger than the Silvershell and has 
so many more doubles that the two varieties are easily distinguished. 
