15916 
Geography upon a Physiological Basis, p. 216.) 
For previous introduction see S. P. I. No. 45963, 
Plant Immigrants, No. 145, May, 1918, p. 1319. 
Hibiscus braekenridgei (Malvaceae), 50693. From 
Honolulu, Hawaii. Seeds collected by Mr. J. F. 
Rock, agricultural explorer. "A striking and well- 
marked rather rare new species with a shrubby erect 
stem, 4 to 5 feet high, stiff spreading branches and 
rather stout, very leafy flowering stalks, worthy of 
cultivation on account of Its showy yellow flowers. 
The glabrous, membranous, bright-green leaves on long 
petioles are rounded In outline, 3£ to 4 inches in 
diameter, cordate, 5 to 7-lobed, with sharp and narrow 
sinuses; they are coarsely tcothed and resemble those 
of the common grapevine . The spreading yellow corolla, 
pubescent outside, is about 6 Inches across. Found in 
the scrub vegetation of the leeslde of Oahu, East and 
West Maui, and Lanai." (Rock.) 
Maranta sp. (Marantaceae ) , 50684. From San 
Jose, Costa Rica. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, 
agricultural explorer. "No. 377 . 'Lalren. 1 Roots pre- 
sented by Mr. Carlos Wercklg, El Coyolar, Costa Rica. 
A plant allied to arrowroot, and greatly resembling 
It in appearance. It yields large numbers of plump 
tubers, 2 to 4 Inches long. These contain much starch, 
and can be eaten when boiled, though they never be - 
oome soft or mealy. Mr. Werckle thinks the sped es may 
be of value as a source of starch, because of the 
large quantity of tubers which each plant produces." 
(Popenoe . ) 
Paspalum nofatum (Poaceae), 51121. Grau. From 
San Jose, Costa Rica. Collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe , 
agricultural explorer. "No 418a. 'Genglbrillo . ' Seeds 
presented by Alfredo Qulros. From sea level up to 
5,000 feet this Is probably the most important of 
the pasture grasses cultivated In Costa Rica; above 
5,000 or 6,000 feet it Is Injured by frost and is not, 
therefore, extensively planted. In the lowlands it is 
especially esteemed; it makes a compact sod, crowding 
out weeds and other grasses and affording an abundance 
of nourishing green forage, eaten readily by both 
horses and cattle. It rarely grows more than a foot 
in height , and where pastured constantly does not often 
reach more than 6 inches. w (Popenoe.) 
