under-sides. The handsome white flowers are produced in cymes at 
the ends of the branches. The fruits are yellowish-brown when ripe, 
and about 1-4 in. in diameter. The timber is light in weight, reddish- 
brown in colour, even grained, very easy to work, dries without warp- 
ing, and does not move once it is dry. It is thus a valuable timber, 
but is not commonly met with in Kenya on account of its limited dis- 
tribution. It makes handsome panelling and furniture, for which it is 
especially suited owing to its stability under changing conditions of 
humidity. It has been used as boat-decking. Weight of air-dry timber 
26-29 lb. per cu. ft.” 
IPOMOEA MURUCOIDES. . (Convolvulaceae.) My seed came 
from the Department of Agriculture in Mexico City. I shared it with 
Fairchild Tropical Garden, which distributed small trees in 1943 from 
it, and I gave seed to the U: S. Bureau of Plant Introduction which 
assigned to it P.I. 144004. Standley’s “Trees and Shrubs of Mexico” 
says it is “ a large or small tree,” its branches covered with a dense 
white fuzz which perhaps gives rise to one of the vernacular names 
for it in Mexico: “cuau-zahuatl” (mangy tree). The white flowers 
are typical of the morning glory family. I find that the plant in its 
juvenile stage has a hard time making up its mind whether to be a 
vine or a tree. 
SOLANUM UMBELLATUM. (Solanaceae). A small tree to 
25 feet, if only one trunk is permitted, according to my Costa Rican 
correspondent who sent this seed, but Standley reports it as a large 
weedy shrub. My correspondent writes: “Species without spines. 
Fast growing. Sun or half shade. Flowers white in clustered terminal 
heads. In flower most of the year. The Costa Rican form is more 
vigorous than the Mexican.” Bailey’s encyclopedia says this “very 
likely” is the same as S. umbelliferum whose flowers are “pale violet 
or sometimes white, showy and fragrant.” But obviously there is 
confusion over the plant, for Bailey says “berry large, purple,” while 
Standley says “berries yellow.” Meanwhile my correspondent who 
sent the seed writes: “Berries size of cherries, orange when ripe.” 
This is one of the few members of the potato family which grow to 
tree size. 
ACNISTUS ARBORESCENS. (Solanaceae). A fast-growing 
tree to 25 or 30 feet. The very numerous small, white, bell-shaped 
flowers form large clusters two or three times a year. When in bloom 
the tree resembles heath (Erica sp.). The leaves are rather long and 
thin. The fruits are deep orange berries, borne in great quantities 
and favored by birds. The tree is native to the upper tropics of Costa 
Rica and should be planted in open sites in rather heavy soil. 
BRUNFELSIA AMERICANA. (Solanaceae). FRANCISCAN RAIN- 
TREE. This shrub or small tree, 10 to 15 feet, was formerly known as 
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