Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

COMMON TREES OF 

PUERTO RICO 

AND THE 

VIRGIN ISLANDS 

BY 

ELBERT L. LITTLE, JR. 

Dendrologisr, Division of Timber Management Research 

Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 

and 

FRANK H. WADSWORTH 

Director, Institute of Tropical Forestry 

Forest Service, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico 

AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 249 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE 

WASHINGTON, D .C. 20250 July 1964

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: Agr 64-50 

For solo by tho Stqmlntrmdcnt of Documents, U.8. Oovemmont Prlntlng Ome4 

Wasblngton, D.C.2U4OIM - Ptlw $4.25

CONTENTS 

List of tree species with descriptions and illustrations - - - - ---- ---- --- 

Introduction---------------------------------------------------- 

Previous work- - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Preparation of this book- - - ------------- - --- - - --------------- 

Plan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Illustrations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Tree names ............................................. 

Tree descriptions_-- --- ----- -- ---- -- - ---- ---- ---------- -- 

Wood and uses ------------------------------------------ 

Other uses---------------------------------------------- 

Propa ation, growth, and other notes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - 

Distri 6 . 

ution-------------------------------------------- 

Related species - - - - - - - - - - - -: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

-- ---- - --- - - -- - - - - -- - - - 

Explanation - of botanical terms --_------ 

Leaves------------------------------------------------- 

Flower clusters- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Flowers------------------------------------------------ 

Fruits-------------------------------------------------- 

How to use this book in tree identification -_------ 

--------- - - --- 

Statistical summary- - - .................... - -- - - - - -- - - -- - - - -- 

Acknowledgments------------------------------------------- 

Forests and forestry in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands- - - - - - -- - - - 

The virgin forests- - .......................... -- -- -- ----- ---- 

The forests of today ......................................... 

Forest conservation,-_ -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - -- - --- 

Literature cited ------- ----- -- - ---------- --- ---- - - --------------- 

Special lists--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Poisonous trees --------------------- ---- -- ------------------ 

Appearance and trunk- - ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - 

Colored sap or latex- --------------------- -- ----------------- 

- 

fiuits-__,_------------------------------------------------- 

Uses- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Plantin lists------------------------------------------------ 

Key to famifies-- - --...-.----.----------------------------------- 

Part 1. Leaves alternate, simple -.----------------------------- 

Part 2. Leaves alternate, tom ound- ------- ,-----------------. 

Part 3. Leaves opposite, simp P e- -- - -- -- - -- -- - --- - ---- - -- -- - - - - 

Part 4. Leaves opposite, compound.- - - - -- --- - --- - - - -- - -- - - - - -- 

Tree species, descriptions . and . illustrations-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - -- - - 

Index of common and scientific names- - - --- -- ---- ---- - - - - -- - - --- - - 

iii

q 

LIST OF TREE SPECIES WITH DESCRIPTIONS AND 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Tree-fern family (Cyatheaceae) _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - -- - 

1. EIelecho gigante, tree-fern, CtlJathea arborea (L.) J. E. Smith ......................... 

Yew family (Tnxaceae) - -- - - - - - - - -- ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ----- - - - -, - - - - - ---- -- - - - - - - - --- 

2. Caobilla, podocnrp, Podocarpua coriaceus L. C. Rich.-- -- --- - - - - - ------ -- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Grass family (Gramineae)- -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ------- - - - - - - - -- --- --- --- - - - - - - - - 

3. Bambli, common bamboo, Bambusa uulgah Schrad. *- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - 

Palm fanlily (Palmae)----------------------------------------------------------------- 

4. Corozo, prickly-palm, Puerto Rico acroco~uia, Acrocomia media 0. F. Cook- - ------ _-- 

5. Pnl111a de coyor, Aiphanes acanthophylla (Mart.) Burret- - - - - ,- - - _ _-_------ - -- - _ - _ - - 

6. Paltna de coco, coconut, Cocos nucifera L.*- - - - ------------ -------_---- ------- - - -- 

7. Palma de sierra, sierra palm, Euterpe globosa Gaertn._- - ............................ 

8. Pnlrna de lluvia, Gauss~ attenuata (0. F. Cook) Beccari.- - - - - - -- - ------- --- - - - - - - - - 

9. Pnlma real, royal palm, Puerto Rico royalpnlln, Roystonea borin uena 0. F. Cook. - - - - - 

10. Palma de sombrero, Puerto Rico palmetto, Sabat causiarum (0. % 4 . Cook) Beccari--- - - - 

Casuarina fnr~lily (Casuarinnceae*) - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

11. Cnsuarina, Australian beefivood, horsetail c-asuarina, Caauarina equisetif:lia L. *- - - - - - - - 

Pepper farnily (Piperaceae). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

12. Higuillo, Piper duncum L. - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - --------- - _ -- -- --------- --- - - - - - - 

Chloran thus fa mil^ (Chloran thacenc) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - _ - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

13. Aznfrdn, Hedyosmum arborescens Sw.-- - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - -- -- - - - _ --- --- - -- - - - - - - - _ 

Willow family (Snlicaceae*) - - - -- - - - - -- ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

14. Sauce, Humboldt willow, Salix humbolllint~a Willd.*-- - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - 

Elm farnily (Ulmaceae) - ----_ - - -- - -- -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ---- - - - - - --- - - - 

15. Palo de cabrilla, \Vest lndies trema, Trema lamarckictna (Roem. & Schult.) Blume- - - - - 

16. Guacirnilla, false jacocalal\i, Florida tremn, Trema mierantha (L.) Blume ------ -- - - - - -- 

Mulberry family (Jloraceee) - - - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

17. PanopBn, pana do pepitns, breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg*- - - - - - - - - 

18. Jnca, jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus Larn. * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ -, - - - - - -, - - - - - - - 

19. Caucho, Central American rubber, castilln rubber, Castilla elastica Cervantes*-- - - - - - - - 

20. Yagrunlo hembra, trumpet-tree, Cecropia peltatn L .-------------------------------- 

21. Pnlo de goma, India-rubber fig, Ficus elastic~ Nois.*- ----- _ ------------------- - - --- 

22. Jnglley blanro, shortleaf fig, Fie~ laevigata Vnhl--- - --- -- --- -- -------------- - - - - --- 

23. ~aurel de la India, India-laurel fi , Ficua retusa L.*--- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - -- - ,,-,------- 

24. Jagiiey rolorado, Ficus sintenisii f Varb .--- _ - - - - - -_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - --------- - - - -- 

Buckwheat family (Polygonacene),- - -- - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -------------- - - - - - 

25. Uvilln, doveplum, Coccoloba diversifolia Jncq.-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - 

26. MornltSn, Coccoloba pubescem L.-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - - - - - - - _ - - -, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

. . 

27. Ortegh, Coccoloba swartzaz Meisn. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - 

28. Uvn de plnya, seagrape, Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L .,--- - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- ----- - - - - - -- - 

29. Calnmbreila, chicory-grape, Coccoloba venosa L.-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

30. Triplnris, an ttree, Triplaris americana L. *- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Four-o'clock family (Nyctnginaceac) --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

31. Corcho bobo, Pisonia albida (Heimerl) Britton - - - - - - _ -, - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

32. Corcho blanco, water mampoo, Pisonia sltbcordata Sw. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

33. Corcho, black mampoo, Torrubia fragrans (Durn.-Cours.) Standley __----_---_-- ------ 

Magnolia family (Magnoliacene) ---- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - _ - _ - _ -, _ - - - -- - 

34. Jagiiilln, lMagnolia portoricensis Bello--- - - - _ - - - - - - - - - _, - - - - - - _ _ - - - - -- - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ - 

35. Luupl sabino, Magnolia splendens Urban- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Annona family (Annonaceae) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

36. Guandbana cimnrrona, wild soursop, Annona montana Macfadyen ----_ -_ 

_ _ _ - - -- _-- 

* Exotic, or introduced. Species (or families) with scientific names followed by an asterisk are not native in P 

Rico and the Virgin Islands. 

iv 

- -- -

Pea subfamily-Continued 

88. Tachuelo, fustic, Pictetia acdeata (Vahl) Urban-, _- - - -- -- - - - ---- - - - - -, --- _ _ ,- -- -, , 

89. Pterocarpus, India padnuk Pterocarpus indicus Willd. * ___- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

go. Pdo de pollo, swamp bloodwood, Reroearpus omnalis Jncq.-- --.. ..----..rial-- rial nal-nal 

9 1. Bhculo, ati, Sesbania grandi$ora (L.) Pers. *- - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - 

Coca family (Eryt ? ro?rylaceae) _---- - - _- - ---- - - __- - -- - - - ---- --- - - - - - ----- - - -- - - - ----------- - 

92. Indio, Eythrozylon areolatum L._- -- - - - - - - - - -- - - --- - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - -- - - -- - - - - - 

Gal trop family (Zygophyllaceae) - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - - -- _ 

93. Guayachn, common lignumvitae, &&ucurn o$kin.de L.- - - - _ _ - - - - - - - - -- - - - --- - - - - - - 

94. GuayacSn blanco, holywood lignumvittte, Chraiacum sanctum L .___---- - -----_-, - ----- 

Rue famil (Rutnceae)__--------------------------------------------------------,------ 

95. da, sea nmyris, Amyria elemijera L... . -.----------.------------ 

----- -------- - -- 

96. Lim6n ngrio, lime, C'2rus aurantifolia (L.) Swingle*- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - 

97. Naranja ngrin, sour oran e, Citrus aurantium L.*- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - , 

98. Lim6n de cnbro, lemon, 8 itrus limon (L.) Burm. f.*--- -- - - ----- ------- - - ---- ------- 

99. Toronja, grapefruit, Citm paradhi Mncfndyen *- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - - _ _ _ 

100. China, sweet orange, Citm sinensis Osbeck*- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - 

10 1. Aceitillo, yellow-sanders, yellow-henrt, Zantho lum Jlavum Vahl- _ - - - - - - , - - - - - , - - - - - - 

102. Espino rubial, white-prickle, Martinique pric 8' y-ash, Zaalhozylum martinicense (Lam.) 

DC.__-----------------------__---------------------------------------------- 

103. Palo rubio, yellow-prickle, yellow prickly-nsh, Zanthozylum monophyllum (Lam.) P. 

Wilson - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Ailan thus family (Simaroubaceao) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ - 

- , - - - - -, - - - - - - - - - - ,_, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

104. Gunrema, bitterbush, Picramnia pentundra Sw .--- 

Bursern f nmily (Burseraceae) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ - _ - 

105. Alrnhcigo, turpentine-tree, gumbo-limbo, Bursera simantba (L.) Sarg .___- - - - - ----__ - - 

106. Tnbonuco, Dacryodes ezcelsea Vahl---- ----- - ----- - ------------------ --- ------- --- 

107. Masa, Tetragastris balsamifera (Sw.) Kuntze, - - ---, --, - --- --------- -- -------- _-_ _ _ 

Mnhogan family (Meliacene)_- ------------------- ------------------------ ------------- 

108. 6 odro hembra, Spanish-cedar, Cedrela odorata L .---,- - - - - - -- ----- - - - - - -- -- ---- - - - - - 

109. Guaraguno, American muskwood, &area trichilwides L.-- - - - - - -- - - - - - -, - ------ - - - - - 

110. Alelaila, chinaberry, Melia azedarach L. *_ - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - 

1 11. Caoba hondurefia, Honduras maho any, Swietenia macroph Ua King*- - -, - - - - -- - - - - - - 

112. Caobn dominicana, Dominican ma g ogany, West Indies ma \ ogany, Swieteniu mahagoni 

Jacq. * ,---- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - 

1 13. Tinacio, broomstick, Trichilia hi& L. -- _ - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, 

. - - - - - - - - - - - - 

a 

114. Gaetn, Trichdza pallida Sw.-_ - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Malpighia family (Mn1pighiacene)-- - - - - --- - - - - - - -- -- ---, - - - -, - - - - - - - -- -- - - , - - - - ----- - - - 

1 15. Maricao, Byrsonima cokea (Sw.) DC. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

116. hlnricao cimarrbn, Byrsonima crassijolia (L.) H. B. K .,---------------- ,- ------_-- ---- 

Milkwort family (Polygalaceae) ----_--------- -- ---- --------- - --- - ----,- ---- , - -------- - -- 

1 17. Viole tn, violet-tree, Polygala courellii (Britton) Blake - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Spurge fumily (Euphorbinceae)- - _ - - - - - - _ - - - - - - _ - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - _ _--- - - - -- - ------ - - - - - 

1 18. Achio tillo, Alchornea latifolia Sw. - - - - - - - - - -, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - 

119. Palo de gnllina, Alchorneopsis ortoricensh Urban,- - - - - - - -- --, ---- -- ---- - ---- - - - - - - 

120. Sabin6n, Croton poecilanlhue d' rban - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, - - - - - - - - - - - - 

121. Vnrital, Drypetes glum Vnhl--, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - _, - - - - - - - - - - - _ 

122. Rascnso, Euphorbia etiolaris Sims---- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - ,- - 

-, 

- --- - - - - - -- - - - - - - - 

-------- --------- - - 

123. Yniti, oysterwood, &nanthes lucida sw ....-- - -.. .---.-------- 

124. Manzanillo, manchineel, Hi pomane mancineUa L.-- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

125. Molinillo, sandbox, hura, 2 ura crepitans L., - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

126. Cedro macho, Hyeronima clzuwides (Tul.) Muell.-Arg .-_- - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - _ - - _ _ - - - - - - 

127. Grosella, Otaheite gooseberry-tree, PhyUanfhzls d u s (L.) Skeels* ---- - - - ---------- - - 

128. Millo, Phylhnlhus nobilis (L. f.) Muell.-Arg .--- -------- ------------ --------------- 

129. Tabaiba, Sapium laurocerasus Desf.-- - - - - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- -- - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - 

Cashew family (Anacardiaceae)-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - 

130. Pajull, cashew, Anacardium occbkntale L. - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

13 1. Mango, A4anqi era indica L. * - - - - _ - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

132. Papayo, Flori d a poisontree, Metopium tozijerum (L.) Krug & Urban- _ _ - - - - - - - - -- - - - - 

133. Jobo de la India, ambarella, Spondias dulcis Parkinson*- _ - _ _ _ - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

134. Jobo, ho*plum, yellow mombin, S ondias mombin L.- - - - - ------- -- - - - - --------- - - - - 

135. Ciruela 8el pals, purple mombin, i$ pondias purpurea L.*- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

hosestrife family (Lythrnceae) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ - - _ - - _ - _ _ _ - _ _ - - - 

178. Reinn de las flores, queen-of-flowers, hgerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. *_ - - - - - _, - - _ - - - _ 

Mangrove fnmily (Rhizophornccne) ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - 

179. Mangle colorndo, mnngrove, Rhizophora mangle L .--- - - - ----- ---- - --- ------ - - --- --- 

Combreturn family (Combretacono) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

.d 

180. Grnnndillo, Buchenavia ca itata (Vnhl) Eichl. -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

181. Ocnr, gregre, oxhorn buci n, Bucida bvceras L .---,_ ------------------------------- 

182. Mangle both, button-mnngrove, Conocarpus erectus L .---- - - - - - - -- - _ - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - 

183. Mangle blnnco, white-mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f .--- - ---- __--_,- 

184. Almondrn, Indian-ulmond, Termindia ca&ppa 1,. * - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Myrtle family (Myrtnceno) -------- ----- . . - - - - ----- - - - - - - - --------- ----- - ---- _ _-___ _--_ _-- 

185. Limoncillo, Cdyptranthes krugzz Kinersk.- -, - _ - - - -- - - -- --- - ----- ----------- ------- 

186. Eucalipto, bonkpod eucalyptus, Eucalyptus robust~ J. E. Smith* -------___--_-------- 

187. Guaslbarn, Eugenia aeruginea DC.- - - -- - _ --- ------- ----- - --------------- - ------- 

188. Pomarrosa, rose-apple Eugenia jumbos L. *--- _ - - - - - - - - - -- - - - --- - - - - - - - - -- - - -- -- - - - 

189. Manzann mnlayn, i\.in~ay-npplo, Eugenia malaccensis L.* ----- ------ ---__- --- - ----- -- 

190. Hoja menuda, spiceberry eugnin, Eugenia rhombea (Berg) Krug & Urban- - - ---__--,- 

19 1. Gunyabotn, Eugenia stahlii (Kinersk.) Krug & Urbnn - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ - - - _ _ _ - - - _ - - _ - - 

192. Cieneguillo, ~Myrciu dejlexa (Poir.) DC .----, - -- -- ---- - - ---- ------- --- - -----__--_ -- 

193. Ho'n menudn, &fyrcia splendens (Sw.) DC.- - - - ................................... 

194. Ma 'l nguetn, bny-rum-tree, Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J. W. Moore ---------___-, 

------ - 

195. Gunynbn, common guava, Psidium guajava L.* --------- ---- -- ----- ------ - ---- - - -- - 

Melnstome family (Molnstomnt~lccne) ----- - - - --- ------ --- ..................... --- ------- - 

196. Jusillo, Calycogonium spuamulosum Cogn. - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - 

197. Cnmnsey peludo, Heterotrichum cymosum (Wendl.) Urban ---- - --- ----- - ---- ----- ---- 

198. Camasey, Miconiu prasina (Sw.) DC .----- ----------------------- 

199. Verdiseco, Tetrazygia elaeagnoides (Sv*.) DC.- -- - - ----- ------------ - ------ - ------ -- 

Ginseng family (Arnliacene) - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - ---- - -- -- - - - - -- - - -- - - - 

200. Pollo, Dendropanax arboreus (L.) Decne. & P1anch.- - - - .................... -------- 

201. Yagrumo macho, matchwvood, Didymopanax morototoni (Aubl.) Decne. & P1nnch.- - - _ _ - 

Myrsine family (Mpinncene)_ - - - - - - ------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- - - ------------ -- -- - - -- - -- -- 

202. Mameyuelo, Ardisia obovata Desv .A_-- - - - _ -- - - -_ - - - - -- -- ------ ----- - ----- - - ------ 

203. Mnntequero, Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz & Pnv.) Moz- - - - --- ----------- ----- - ------ - 

204. BBduln, Guiann rnpnnen, Rapanea guiunensis Aub1.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Snpodilln family (Snpotnceno) ------- - - ------- - -- --- - - - - - - - - --------- - ----- - ----- - --- - --- 

205. Lochecillo, Chryso hyllum arqenteum Jncq.- - -- ---- - - - -- -- - ---------- - --- - -- ---- --- 

206. Cnimito, stnr-npp f o, ~hryso~hy~lurn cainito L.- - - _,:. - -- --- - - ----_-----, __--_, ------_ 

207. Cnimitillo de perro, sntinlenf, Chrysophyllum olivifome L .-------, -----, --- - - --- ----- 

208. Snnguinarin, wild mespel, willow bustic, Di holis sdicijolia (L.) A. DC., ----__-,,-_ 

209. Ausubo, balntn, ~Manilkara bidentata (A. D 8 .) Chev .-----------,------------,,-___- 

210. Nispero, sa odilla, lManilkara zapota (L.) v. Royen*--------- -- ----- ---- ppp ----- --- 

21 1. ~nimitillo, !bicropholis chrysophylloides pierre. - - - . - - . - - - . - - - . - . - - - - - 

212. Cnimitillo verde, Afiropholis garciniaejolia Pierre--- - - _ - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ - - - - _ _ - 

213. JBcann, Pouteria multijlora (A. DC.)Eymn- - - - _ - - - - - - - - ----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- - - 

214. Tortuuo nmarillo, fnlso-mastic, Sideroxylon joetirlissimum Jacq .-__-----_,------------- 

Sweetlenf fnmi#fy (S ~mplocnceno). . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

2 15. Aceitunn b nncn, cnndlewood, Symplocos martinicensis Jncq. - _ _ - - - - _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ - 

Olive fnmily (0lencene)- -- - - - - - - -- -- -- -- ------ - _ - - - - - - -- - - - -- --------- ----- ---------__- 

2 1 6. Hueso blnnco, Linociera domingensis (Lnm .) Icnobl. - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Dogbnne family (Apocynncone) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

217. Alelf, milktree, Plumeria alba L .--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

218. Frangipani, Plumeria rubra L.* ---- - -- - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - --- - - - - - -- - - - - -- - ---- - - 

2 19. Pnlo nmargo, bitter-ash, Ztauvolfia nilida Jucq. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ - - - - - - - _ _ - - - - 

Bornge family (Bornginncene) ------ - - ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----- - - - - - --- --- - - 

220. Palo de vncn, pigeon-berry, Bourreria succulenla J11cq.-- - - - - - - - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

viii 

221. Cnpb prieto, clipci, CorrEia alliodora (Ruiz & Par.) Oken- - - ......................... 

222. Muiieco, Cordia borinquensis Urban- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

223. Cnpd colorndo, red mnnjnck, Cordia nitida Vtihl- - - - - - ---- ------ ----- - -- _ - - - - - ---- - 

224. Moral, white mnnjnck, Cordia sulcata DC .----------------------------------------

Verbena family (Verbenaceae)- ------ --------------- - - - -- ----------- - -- - - -------------- - 

225. Mangle prieto, black-mangrove, Avicennia nitida Jacq.- - - - - - - - _ - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - --- - - 

226. PQnduln de sierrn, Cilharexylum caudatum L. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . - -- - - - - - - - - - _ - , - - - 

227. Pbnduln, pasture fiddlewoo

X 

Mono I. 

6roon 66*00. 

Frouse 1.-Pub Rico and the Virgin Islands, showing principal islands. The 75 mnnicipalitiee of Puerto Rim are listed alphabeticnlly below. Sixteen of 

thwe, shaded and in the list pmxded by an asbrisk ( ) , mere not covered in the forest inventor~r because of limited rest areas. The islands (3ulebra and 

Vieques am municipalities also. 

6~~00" 

I I Anegoda I. 

1. Adjuntas 20. Cidra *39. Lnres 58. Rlo Grande 

"2. Aguada 21. Coamo 40. LasMarias 51). Rio Piedras 

*3. Aguadilla 22. Comerio *41. Las Piedras 60. Sabana Grande 

4. Aguas Buenas 23. Corozal 42. Loiza 61. Salinas 

5. Aibonito 24. Dorado 43. Luquillo 62. Sun GermEin 

0. Aiiasco 25. Fajardo 44. Monatf *63. San Juan 

7. Arecibo 26. Guhnica 45. BIarlcrro 64. San Lorenzo 

8. Arroyo 27. Ouayama 443. Maunabo *a. Son Sebastihn 

9. Barceloneta 28. Guayanilla 47. Mayagiiez 66. Santa Isabel 

10. Barranquitas 29. Guaynabo *48. Moca *67. Toa Alta 

11. BayamBn 30- Gurabo 40. Morovis 68. Toa Baja 

12. Cabo Rojo 81. Hatillo 50. Nayabo 

69. Trujillo Alto 

13. Cayns 32. Homiyeros 

51. Naranjito 

70. Utuado 

14. Cumuy 

33. Humamo 52. Orocovis 

*71. Vega Alta 

+15. Carolina 34. Isabela 53. Pntillas 

"16. Cataflo 38. Jayuya 54. Peiinelas '72. Vegn Baja 

17. Cayey 36. Juana Diaz 55. Ponce 73. Villulba 

*18. Ceiba *37. Juncos *SO. Quebradillas 74. Yabucoa 

19. Ciales 38. b4as '57. Rincbn 75. Yauco 

I \ 

IRITISM ==% 

VbRG1N ISLLYOS 

Oesechea I. Gordo I. 

0 

UMIIED ST&1ES 

16' - / vlRe1N ISLANDS 4 

0' 

Muertos 1.p 

PUERTO RlCO 

Sf. Croir I. 

Scale 

-. - 15 m~lor 

I 1 

67*OOb 66*0OR 6500' 

x 

..*.a ..#A .am. 

16. 

od

About 500 species of trees, from the giants of the 

luxuriant rain forests to the shrubby trees of dry 

areas and windswept mountain summits, are native 

to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, both 

United States and British (fig. 1). In addition, 

several hundred tree s ecies rom other tropical 

lands around the worl cf have been introduced into 

the islands because of showy flowers, handsome 

foli?ge, dense shade, valuable timber, delicious 

fruits, or other values 

Naturally, there have been many requests for a 

reference book on this subject. Information about 

most trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands 

has not previously been assembled in nontechnical 

form and drawings of some have never been pub- 

1ishe6. Nor are technical botanical floras forestry 

publicationq and miscellaneous scientiec references 

on this subject generally available. 

Tliis book describes in detail 250 of the c0.mmoner 

and more important native and exotic tree 

species, those most likely to be seen. Identification 

of each s ecies is aided by a large drawing 

8 

of the leaves, owers,.and fruit and a description 

that emphasizes the distin yishin characteristics. 

For further identification, 130 a cf ditional, related 

species are mentioned briefly and com ared with 

those illustrated. Thus, 380 species I' rom forest 

giants down to small trees are included. 

The primary purpose of this book, ublished 

also in Spanish 211, is to answer for t e people 

b 

of these and near y areas of the West Indies, both 

residents and tourmts, the question : What tree is 

tliis? Having answered that, it aims to give the 

more important and interesting facts about the 

tree. It should be he1 ful to university students, 

teachers of high schoo !' s, and instructors in youth 

rograms such as 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, and 

&irl Scouts. It should be a useful reference in 

extension and technical assistance pro 

cultuml research, forestry, and far yms, andowners, agri- 

landscape architects, and gardeners. Foresters 

and forestry students in continental United States 

will find here the descriptions of many common 

timber trees of tropical America. 

For the rapidly increasing number of tourists 

from continental United Stntes, this reference 

rovides the tree names and nnstvers questions. 

tublic forests. both natural and managed, are 

easily accessible by paved highways. The Virgin 

Islands National Park contains large farest areas 

in St. John. Teachers, students, and all interested 

in nature can use this field guide in identification. 

This reference will be 11sefr11 over somewhat 

ltirger areas in tropical America because most of 

tho tree species figpred are widely distributed. It 

INTRODUCTION 

E 

will be of value also in the other West Indies 

nnd in cotlntries bordering the Caribbean Sea not 

having similar publications. 

Also this book will be helpful within continental 

United States, notably in southern Florida. More 

than half of the 280 species selected grow also in 

sor~thenl Florida. More than one-fourth, or 65, 

are in Cl~eck List of vatire and Naturaliz2d Trees 

of the United States (19) ; 42 ns native, mostly 

in the Florida Keys or southern Floridn mainland, 

and 23 as naturalized. Two more are 

shrubs in the United States, and the others are 

lantcd in southern Florida, although some in 

lmited nambers. 

necnuse of their value and interest, 72 species 

of exotic or introduced trees mostly common 

through tropical America have been included. 

IV11ile the remaining 178 species illustrated are 

native in Puerto Rico, only 28 are confined or 

endemic there. According to their. distribution, 

101 of these are found also in the Virgin Islands, 

wllicl~ have fewer tree species because of their 

smaller size and lower altitude; 148 are known in 

other Jest Indian islands; and 102 grow wild 

somewhere on the continent, such as in southern 

Florida, Mexico, Central America, or South 

America. 

Information presented in addition to that reuired 

for identification assists the renders to know 

1 t ie tree better and to judge its si~itability for timber, 

shnde, ornament, fruit, or other purposes. 

These notes include: (1) the size the tree attins 

at maturity; (2) whether evergreen or deciduous; 

(3) the normal shape of the crown; (4) 

the nbundance, color, and fn ance of the flowers; 

(5) the kind of fruit an f whether edible or 

poisonons; (6) the usual period of flowering and 

fruiting; (7) a brief description of the wood and 

its uses; (8) other uses of the tree and its products; 

(9) notes on propa ation, growth rate, and 

site adaptability if availa % le; (10) where the tree 

grows within Puerto Rico and tho Virgin Islands; 

(11) tho geographical distribution, including native 

home if introduced; (12) other common 

nlirnes listed by country and language; and (13) 

relttted nnt ive tree species. 

It was not possible to include within one volurne 

an equal number of importltnt though less 

colnmon tree species. Seveml hundred add~tional 

tree species were recorded by nritton and Wilson 

(5) t~s introduced, mostly in small numbers or 

experimentally, such as in nurseries, experimental 

forests, nrboreta, and gardens. A second volume 

is planned to describe and ill~ldrnte the remaining 

native tree species and widely planted exotics.

PREVIOUS WORK 

in The Caribbean Forester and other publications 

by the Institute of Tro ical Forestry. Longwood 

Preparing this book has called for full use of (9.2,23), of the United 8 tates Forest Service, made 

the previous work of botanists and foresters and s special investigatiotl of the \voods of Puerto Rico 

nlso for dditional field investigntion. Puerto and the Caribbean region, including nbout 70 spe- 

Rico and the Virgin Islands, discovered by Colurn- cies in this book. 

bus, settled early, and both smnll and accessible, The a icultural evperilnent stations in Puerto 

were among the first nrecis of tropicnl America to Rico nn f the Virgin Islands have made additional 

become well explored botanically. Principal pub- st,adies of trees. IVolcott (40) tested the resistance 

licat*ions on the plants of these islnnds are listed in of ~~~oods to nttack by d~y-wood termites. Winters 

the bibliographies by Britton nnd Wilson (5) and Almeyda (39) re orted on the ornamental 

and Otoro, Toro, and Pagrin (32), the latter con- trees of Puerto Rico. f&nnard and Winters (18) 

tnining also a historical summary. 

described tlnd illustrnted the conimon fruit trees in 

The most valuable reference consulted is the de- their publication on fnlits nnd nuts. Poisonous 

scri tive flora of Puerto Rico and the ITir n IS- plants of the United States Virgin Islands, sev- 

Inn 1 s by Britton and IVilsoti (5), publis f ed in eral bein trees, were described and figured by 

English in 1923-30. Earlier, in 1903-11, Urban Onkes ant Butcher (30). 

(ST) wrote a flora of Puerto Rico in Latin and Other important references are mentioned below 

German. In 1883-88 there WIIS published in nnd listed under Liternturn Cited. Additional 

Puerto Rico an incomplete flora in Spanish by botanical florns and tree ublicntions of various 

Stahl (95), afterwards reprinted in 1936-37. The tropicnl count,ries, as \re P 1 a? taxono!nic monq- 

Virgin Islands have been the subject of other grn lis, hnve provided useful informntlon for thls 

floras, the earliest by Hans West in 1793. Another boo I: . 

flora of the Vir in Islands by Eg ers (8a) np- 

f 

peared in 1879. Britton (4) publis led a flora of PREPARATION OF THIS BOOK 

tlie United States Virgin Islands in 1918, n year 

nfter their purchase from Denmark. 

Prepnration of an illustrnted popular reference 

Nearly a century ago, Josi, Maria Fernrindez (9, on tlio ttves of Puerto Rico \vns one of the first, 

pp. 181-215) compiled a list of trees of Puerto projccts undertaken when, in 1939, the United 

Rico in his "Trntado de la Arboricultum Cubnna," Stt~tes Forest Service began forest research in 

published in Havana in 1867. Entitled "Arbolado Pi~erto Rico with the establisl~ment of the Tropical 

de Puerto-Rico," this annotated list contained Icorest. Experiment Station, now Institute of Tro - 

about 175 trees arrnnged by Spanish common icnl Forestry, in Rio Piedrns. Leslie R. Hol S - 

names with scientific names for nbout 100. Intro- riclge, who was in charge of tlle project until the 

duced, as well as native, species and several shrubs end of 1941, made botanical collections of Puerto 

\vere mentioned. There were notes on size, occur- Riran tl.ees and supervised tlle preparation of a 

rence, wood includinp specific gravity, and uses fc\v linndred drawings. He wrote two relimiand 

also lists for specla1 purposes. 

II:II~ volunl~s of "Trees of Puerto RICO" &4, 16), 

Shortly after Puerto Rico became a part of the p~~hlishecl in 1042 in both English nnd Spanish, 

IJnited States in 1898, studies of the forests began cnc.11 volume containing dmwings and descriptions 

with s report by Hill (1.9) in 1899 which described of 50 tree species Tllese smnll editions mere soon 

16 important. timbers. In 1903 the L~iquillo Di- cshnnsted. It was intended to issue additional 

vision of the Caribbean National Forest, now the p:~rts covering n total of about 600 native and ex- 

Luquillo Experimental Forest, was established ot ic tree species to be followed by a revision printed 

from former Spanish crown lands by proclama- in a single volume. However, further work was 

tion of President Theodore Roosevelt. A dim- suspended during the war. Identifications of sevinnry 

list of trees of the Luquillo qion n%m pre- ern1 11undred tree specimens collected mostly by 

pared soon afterwards by G~fford (10). Murphy Holdridge and Luis E. Gre~ory were made by the 

(gg), of the United States Forest Service, pub- Sew York I3otnnical Garden. These specimens 

lished a list of 292 tree species of Puerto Rico be- \\.em tho beginning of the Institute's herbarium. 

longing to 172 genera and 57 families, with notes Tho present project on the trees of Puerto Rim 

on size, distribution, wood, and uses by W. D. r~ntl tlie 17iryin Islands was begun by the authors 

I3rusl1, Louis S. Murphy, and C. D. Mell. Hold- together in 1950. The jlinior author had assisted in 

ridge and Muiioz (16) described and illustrated the enrlier project upon his arrival in Puerto Rico 

seven poisonous trees in an article on the poisonous in 194!, while the senior author did some reference 

plnnts of Puerto Rico. In his mnnnnl on propagn- work ~n 1041. The area mas expanded to include 

tion of trees and csttlblisliment of forest planta- tlro nenrby smaller Virgin Islands, both United 

tions, Gilormini (11) inserted a list of native nnrl Str~tcs rrnd British, which hnve fewer tree species 

exotic trees and shrub of Puerto Rico with both :r~lcl very few additions. 

Spanish and scientific ntlmes. 

'I'lie senior aut!ior. as dendrologist made field 

Much information about forest trees of Puerto trips in P~ierto Rico in 1950,1952,1054, and 1955. 

Rico and the Virgin Islands is contained in articles 'Silo botanical descriptions were prepared mostly

y him from trees and living material supplemented 

by herbarium specimens. On field trips 

through l'uerto Rico and on brief visits to Mona, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola, he 

collected about 1,200 numbers of herbarium specimens 

of trees. As a result, n few additional island 

recol-ds mere obtained and one new tree species was 

named. An article on the trees of Mona Islmd 

(90) wns based mainly on his two field trips there. 

In checking the identifications, he exnmined the 

collections from Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

Islands in the National Herbarium of the United 

States National Museum, Washington, D.C. Sets 

of specimens have been deposited there and in the 

herbarium of the Institute of Tropical Forestry 

and will be distributed to other lierbnria. 

The junior author, Director of the Institute of 

Tropical Forestry, has conducted forestry investigntio~is 

in Puerto Rico continuously since 1942 and 

lias studied many of these tree species in the forests 

and esperimental plots. He 11s prepnred the 

clinpter "Forests and Forestry in Puerto Rico and 

tlie Virgin Tslnndq" checked the descriptions, and 

contributed notes on wood and uses. Also, he hns 

compiled the data on propagation, growth rate; 

and site adaptability, and distribution by forest 

types. 

The manuscri t was completed in 1955, then 

trnnslated into 8 panish for the Spanish edition, 

and has been slightly revised in 196.2 before publication. 

The notes on Puerto Rican \roods have 

been expanded to include lnter investigntions at 

the Institute of Tropical Forestry. Also, many 

common names recorded in recent floras of other 

countries have been added. 

PLAN 

Tlie 250 common tree species of Puerto Rico and 

the Virgin Islands described and illustrated in this 

volume are grouped by plnnt fnmilies in the usual 

botanical nrrangement adopted by Britton and 

nTilson (5) and within each family alphabetically 

by scientific names. However, the three large ssub- 

families of the legume fnmily often accepted as 

separate families are kept apart. Sixty-eight 

plnnt fnmilies and 185 genera are represented. 

Illustrations 

Facing their respective descriptions, the line 

drnwings sho\r fol~age and flowers and usually 

nlso the fruits. Most are nnturnl size (or very 

slightly reduced), but some hare been reduced to 

% and a few to 1/2 natural size as indicated. Xenr- 

ly all were made from fresh specimens in Puerto 

Rico. 

Tree Names 

The heading for the descriptive text of each 

species contains on the left the preferred common 

names in Spanish and English, on tlie right the 

nccepted sc~entific name, and at top center the 

fnmily nnmes. An asterisk (*) after the scientific 

name means that the species (or fnmily) is exotic, 

or introduced, and not native in Puerto Rico and 

the Virgin Islands. At the end of the text of each 

species are listed other common nnmes in use and 

botanical synonyms, the other scientific names 

used fornierly or sometimes nolv. These names 

a pear nlso in the Index of Common nnd Scientific 

dmes. English fnmily nnmes are derived from 

nn importnnt example, while scientific or Latin 

family names terminate in Lbncene" with fern excep- 

tions. 

Prefewed Common Names 

Common names of trees often vary from place 

to place, some being applied to more than one unmlntcd 

species, wh~le other species may sornrtimes 

lack n d~stinctive local name. The autIio:.s have 

attempted (1) to record all names commonly ap- 

lied witliin this region to each species; (2) to se- 

Poet as a preferred name the one most widely em- 

plo ecl locally if not associated more commonly 

wit f i tulotlier species; and (3) to suggest for 

species with no local common name one estensively 

used elsewhere. Since S anish is the language of 

Puerto Rico, and ~n~Esh that of the Virgin 

Islnnds, two names are given for most trees present 

in both areas. 

The Spnnisli common name in the heading is 

that prefemble for Puerto Rico, based chiefly upon 

prevalent usage. Tlie selection has been made 

after consultation with local botanists and with 

foresters both of the Commonwealth Division of 

Forests, Fisheries and Wildlife and of the Institute 

of Tropical horestry, United Stntes Forest 

Service. Personnel of the Division who completed 

an island-wide forest inventory provided valuable 

information on usage. 

English common names in the hecrdinp include 

those found in the Virgin Islnnds or in widespread 

use elsewhere. These preferred names, many of 

which were listed by Rritton and Wilson (5), 

were checked in the field with rum1 inhabitants 

on different islands. For the 05 species also native 

or nnturalized in the United States, chiefly southern 

Florida, bhere is added the name accepted by 

the United Stntes Forest Service in the Check 

List of Nntive and Naturalized Tms of the 

United Stntes (19). For some less known species 

without local English nnmes, those ndopted elsewhere, 

such as in other West Indian islnnds, in 

Standardized Plant Names (17), or in commerce, 

have been accepted. Where two English common 

names are listed, the first is the local name in the 

Virgin Islands, and the second is either the Check 

List name ndopted by the United States Forest 

Service and recommended for the United States 

or another name also widely employed. If no 

English nnme has been selected, the Spnnish common 

name may be suitable or the generic nnme 

may serve.

Other Ccmam nl:arnes 

For Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islnnds many 

additional common names were obtained from 

local residents or taken from references, pnrticu- 

larly Urban (37), Britton and Wilson (5), and 

Otero, Tom, and Pngcin (32). Most of these have 

been verified, but several, apparently misapplied, 

have been omitted. As no Indian tribes have re- 

mained on Puerto Rico since the early Spanisll 

settlement, there are now no separate aboriginal 

tree nnmes. However, some Spanish nnmes are of 

Carib Indian origin. Though the United States 

Virgin Islands belonmed to Denmark until pur- 

chased by the United states in 1917, tho tree nnmes 

were English, and no Danish tree names are now 

recorded. 

Principal common names in use in the New 

World have been compiled from many floras and 

tree lists of different countries, and a few added 

from herbarium labels. These names often differ 

from country to country or from one island to nn- 

other and may be in as many as five Inn unges 

(Spanish, English, French, butch, nnd Bortu- 

peso), besides some of American Indian origin. 

Variant spellings, aboriginal names, long lists of 

local names within one country, and Old World 

names generally have been omitted. Other com- 

mon names have been grouped by language nnd 

countries in the following order: Puerto Rico, 

Virgin Islnnds, Spanish, other Spnnish-speaking 

countries in TVest Indies and from Alexico to 

South America; United States, English, British 

lands, and other English-s enking countries; 

French, Haiti, French lands; 5 utcll West Indies 

and Surinam; and Brnzil. Names in international 

commerce or lumber trnde or so recommended are 

indicated. Some preferred nnmes of Puerto Rico 

and the Virgin Islands are repented under other 

common nnmes to show usage elsewhere. 

In the West Indian islands some tree names are 

not in the same langun e of the governing conn- 

try, which may have c f nnged one or more times 

since colonization. Persons migrating from one 

islnnd to another have brought with them names 

from different languages. Some common nnmes 

are corruptions from other tongues, such as 

French words somewhat modified in British areas. 

Various names have become adopted from Spnn- 

ish, English, French, and Dutch into creole din- 

lects. Also, European colonists often gave to trop- 

ical American trees tho well-known names of simi- 

lar though unrelated Old World species. 

scientific am 

Foresters, botanists, nnd .other scientists use the 

scientific nnmes in their technical writingsand dis- 

cussions. Being in Latin or Latinized, scientific 

names nre definite nnd uniform and regulated by 

botanists under the International Code of Botanl- 

cnl Nomenclature. Thus, the Latin nnme of a tree 

or other plant species in an international language 

is the snme througllout the world. 

The scientific nnme of n species. consists of two 

words : the generic name, which is capitalized, and 

the specific e ithet. In some species, varieties are 

distin uished: being designated by a third word 

l>rece f ed by the abbreviation "var." References 

and technical publications cite also the author or 

botanist ~ rl~o first named and described the s ecies, 

asanlly abbreviated if common or long. trhere 

tho name llns been transferred from one genus or 

combination to another, the original author's nnme 

is placed in parenthesis and followed by n second 

author, ~vho made the chnnge. 

Botdnical Synonyms 

As some species have borne more than one scien- 

tific nnme, any botanical synonyms common in use, 

particularly in the West Indies, are listed. For 

example, a species may have been described inde- 

pendently by different botanists, or two species 

may have been united following later study of ad- 

ditional specimens. Also, there may be difierences 

of opinion nmong specialists whether a variation 

merits recognition as a variety or separnte species 

or needs no additional name. Included under 

botanical synonyms are those scientific nnmes ac- 

cepted by Britton and Wilson (5) but afterwards 

cl~angecl because of differences in codes of botani- 

cnl nomenclnture or in accordance with mono- 

graphic studies nnd conservative usage. 

Tree Descriptions 

The descriptive text for each species begins with 

n summary of the main distinguishing characters, 

which is followed by size and appenrnnce and by 

botnnical descriptions of lenves, flowers, and fruits. 

BIensurements of trees and their parts are given in 

the English system of feet and inches. In conversion 

to tl~e metric system, which is more commonly 

used in tropical America, these equivalents may 

be noted : 1 foot is 0.3048 meter, 1 inch is 2.54 centimeters, 

and I/s inch is approsilnately 3 millimeters. 

Main Distinguishing Charucters 

The first parngraph strmmnrizes the outstanding 

features for easy .reco ition, p?rticularly 

Y 

leaves, flotvers, and fruits. liention 1s made of 

other ollnrncters useful in identification, such as 

distinctive bark or presence of lates or colored 

sap. Introduced trees are noted and indicated 

by an :~sterisk after tlle scientific name. 

Size and Appearance 

In the second paragrnph the approximate size 

is given as s~nnll (less than 30 feet tall), lnedium 

(from 30 to 70 feet tall), or Inrge (more than 70 

feet, tall). The average nnd maslmunn heights 

and tr1111k diameters represent mature trees in 

I'uerto Rico, though lnrger trees may have esisted 

in the virgin forests within the island or elsewhere. 

Trunk mens~~~.ements are diameters at breast 

height (d.b.11.) or 455 feet. Trees are clnssed as

evergreen if in full letif tlirougll the year or deciduo~~s 

if leafless or nearly so for n brief period, 

s11c11 :IS in the c11 sei~so~~ of I:rte winter. Rottresses, 

or enlarge 2' :ennrroow outgro~vtlis at the base 

of tlre tr1111h- of I:r!.fie trees cont~~iuous with 1:rternl 

roots, :Ire noted ~f p~~sent. D:rt:r o~i shape of 

crown, branching, and tlv~gs are added for mnny 

species. Xotes on bnrk include color of the surface 

ir~ld ~CS~UIY, whetl~er sniooth or rougll, :~n

FIOURM 2.--Climax forest typca and forest regions of Puerto Rieo. 

"....-"..,.

Occnrsence in the Virgin Islands is cited in the 

following order: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

Tortol:~, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. The first, 

tliree are the United States Virgin Isl;lnds, ~vhile 

tlrc Inst. tliree as ~v\.ell :IS severnl smaller compose 

the British Virgin Islands. 

ITithin Pnerto Rico tlie distribution is recorded 

in greater detail by notes on abundance, altitudinal 

limlts, and habitat or site. For many species are 

nientioned the forest regbls or environments, or 

ecolog.ica1 regions or provinces. The natural distrib~~t~on 

of most native trees tends to be related 

to ecological regions defined by climate and soil. 

Tllese eight regions, shown in fignro 2, define clinlus 

forests of distinct types. Tliey are described 

in detail under Forests and Forestry (p. 12). 

Public Forests 

Tlie public forests in Puerto Rico under Federal 

nrid Commonwealtll administrat,ion, shown in fignre 

3, are widely distributed over tho island and 

contn~n examples of most comlnolr tree species. 

These forests nre accessible by 11igl:hrnt~ys or roads, 

and the personnel in charge can assist in locating 

and identifying the common trees. 

Occurrence of native tree species in the 15 public 

forests is summarized by nlp1rabetic;rl lists which 

indicate localities where examples can be found. 

Luquillo Experimental Forest, formerly the Caribhn 

National Forest, is administered by the 

United States Forest Service. Tlie following 14 

p~~blic forests are under the Co~nmonwealth Division 

of Forests, Fisheries, and Wildlife : Aguirre, 

13oquer6n, Cambalache Experimental Forest,, 

Gal-ite, Ceiba, Gunjatncn, Quilnica, Guilnrte, 

hltrricno, Rio Ab:~jo, San Jruan, Susbn, Toro 

Negro, and Vega. 

Distribution Maps 

One hundred small maps nccon~panying the 

dm\\*ings summarize the distribution of as many 

native species by munici ~ulities within Puerto 

Rico based upon the unpu & lisliecl farest inventory 

by the Commonnea~tl~ in 1847-186.2 and minor 

additions. Presence is shown by tlie number on 

a white background, in accordnnce with the numbers 

of munici alities in figure 1 and the accompanying 

legend: This s~lrvey covered 59 of the 75 

municipalities. The remnining 16 municipalities 

shown by diagonal shnxlinp were omitted because 

of their limited forested aretls, as were two other 

munGipnlities on the islands of Culebn and 

Vieques. Also excluded \\.ere the public forests, 

where other surveys hnre been made, and the mangrove 

s\\-.amp forests almost wholly within the 

former. 

These incomplete maps sllo\r local distribution 

in much greater detail than would maps bnsed only 

upon botanicnl collections, in spite of certiiin limltntions. 

Some species occur nnt,arnlly in additionnl 

municipalities containing the same forest 

environments or regions. Occurrence within a 

municipality, often limited by environment or altitude, 

IS not indicated. On sample plots the trees 

clo\vn to a minimum limit of 3.5 inches diameter 

at breast height (d.b.11.) or 4% feet \\.ere measured 

t~nd recorded. However, scattered, less common, 

and cultivated species were not adequately 

noted, ttnd probably are present in some municl- 

1~iIit.ie.. ncljncent to those mapped. Closely related 

sl~ccies of a genus not easily distill ruislied in the 

held survey sometimes mere groupec t together and 

t 1111s could not be mapped separittely. 

bfunicipalities where an individ~~ul species is 

especially common, that is, among the 10 commonat 

species in number of trees according to the inventory, 

are listed by number in the text also. 

Distribution Outside Puerto Rico 

Rnnges outside Puerto Rico are giren for the 

islands of the West Indies in detnil and also for 

cont,inentnl tropical America. Tlieso ranges nre 

bnsed upon recent botanical flo~gs, tree lists, and 

rnonoglx 11s supplemented by specimens in the 

Nationnl %I erbarium of the United Stntes National 

hIuseum. Distribution for many species now is 

some~vhnt better known than when s~lmmarized by 

I3ritton and Wilson (5). Some species have a 

brond range through the Greater Antilles (Cubs, 

J~nlnica, Hispaniola, anlld Prlerto Rico) and Lessor 

Antilles (Lee~vard and \\'ind~vard Islands) to 

Grenada or Barbados and are present on nearly 

all the islands except the smallest or those lacking 

suitable habitats. Thus it has not seemed necessnry 

to list all these islands. Nearly all Puerto 

Ricnn tree species native nlso in the island of Hispnnioln 

t~1-e present in bot.11 Haiti nnd the Dominicnn 

Republic, which countries are not mentioned 

individunlly. For those species not ranging 

tllrougll the Lesser Antilles to Grenada, the southernmost 

islnnd of distribution is recorded. 

Islands near the Venezuelan coast of South 

~imericn, including Trinidad and Tobago and 

nonaire, Curncao, and Aruba of the Dutch West 

Indies (Windward Islands), have the flora of the 

Sor~tll American mainland rnther than the West 

Indies. Nearly all native Puerto Ricnn tree spacies 

also on these islands hnve n brond distribution 

in the Cnribbenn area, such as from Bahamas and 

C~lbt~ to Trinidad and on the continent from 

Mexico through Central America Lo Venezuela or 

beyond. 

The distribution of bhose species native or natu- 

rnlized in the United Stntes is given by States, 

pnerally only southern Florida, though mention 

IS made of introduced trees planted and hardy in 

southern Florida and southern California. South- 

ward on the continent the northernmost and 

southernmost countries of rnn e limits are stated. 

Thus, a species recorded from A Iexico to Peru and 

Brnz~l is native through the co~~ntries of Central 

Americn and northern South America. Some impot-tant 

cultivated trees are widely distributed 

f

le"- 

3d 

1 e0 

00'- 

67000' 66O 30' 66'00' 

I I 1 

A T L A N T I C O C E A N 

C A R / 6 8 E A N Scale 

S E A o 5 10- 15 mulea 

I 

I I I 

67.00' 66O 30' 66-00' 

F~QUBE 3.-Public foreats of Puerto Rlco. A11 are Commonwmlth foresta except Luqulllo, a Federal experimental foe USTS. WO I957 

- 

- 

leO 

30' 

IBO 

00'

nearly tliroughout the tropics, including the Old 

7\Torld. 

Related Species 

All other native tree species of.each genus are 

mentioned, usually under the first specles of the 

nus or sometimes under a similar one, to aid in 

Rrther identificntion. Preferred Spanish and 

English names are given where known, thou 11 

some species probnbl bear the same names or on y 

those of the genus. !bistinyishing characters for 

comparing related species with those figured hnve 

been compiled lareely from Britton and Wilson 

(5). Distribution 1s given by islands. In the two 

lar st tree genern, Eugenia with 25 native species 

an r Nicmia with 16, the other specles have merely 

been listed. Keys for identification in these as 

well as the other genera were published by Britton 

and Wilson nlso. 

Where no related species are mentioned, all nn- 

tive tree species of the genus, usually only one or 

two, are illustrated. However, introduced tree 

species, shrubs, and herbs hnve not been cited. Of 

course, some entire genern and 20 families, mostly 

with few species of small, less important trees, 

have been omitted. 

EXPLANATION OF BOTANICAL 

TERMS 

Botanical descriptions for the classification and 

identification on trees are based principally on dif- 

ferences of leaves, flowers, and fruits, and their 

parts, such as presence or absence, number, ar- 

rangement, shape, size, and union or separation. 

To record these details, systematic botanists, or 

plant taxonomists, have a special terminolooy of 

technical words derived from Lntin and creek, 

defined and illustrated in botany textbooks ancl 

floras. In this book, nontechnical terms have been 

used wherever possible, though some technical 

terms have been inserted in parenthesis or adopted 

where there was no clearer equivalent. Principal 

terms used in this book are explained here, while 

many are illustrated by the dm\vings. Thus, it 

has seemed unnecessary in include a glossnry. 

Leaves 

These flat, preen organs serving for food manu- 

facture are very useful in the identification of trees, 

us~ially present in quantities and of large size. 

Tlie point. on a twig where 1 or more leave8 are nt- 

taclied is the node. In arrangement on the twig, 

leaves nttaclied singly or 1 at a node are altetruzte, 

letives borne in pairs or 2 at a node are opposite, 

and lcnves inserted 3 or more at a node are oho or led. 

Parts of a lenf nre the leafsttilk or petiole and the 

flat espancled part or hlrtde. In some species there 

are 2 (or 1) scnles at the bnse of a leaf called 

yfiptt?e.c., usually shedding early but sometimes 

forming distinctive buds at the enel of n twig. 

In number of blades a lenf with 1 blado is simple, 

f 

\vliile a compound lenf has usually several blades 

(rarely only 2) called leaflets, which may or may 

not have stalks. A leaflet is distinguished from a 

simple leaf by the absence of a bud at the base and 

by the shedd~ng of the nxis. Also, leaflets are in 

2 rows long tho nxis, while simple leaves may be 

si~i~ilar but more often not in 2 rows on the twig. 

Compound leaves are pinnate or pinnately compound 

~vlien the leaflets are inserted along a commoa 

nxis and digltate (or palmate) when attached 

together at the end oi the petiole. If the axis has 

branches a laqf may be t~vlce pinnate or bipinnate 

or if brnnclled a ain the leaf is three times pinnate 

or tripinnote. %innate leaves may be even pinnate 

tvllen the lenflets are aired and end in a pair, and 

odd pin?lctte when en $ ing in a single leaflet. 

Several terms describe the shape of leaf blades. 

ri linenr leaf has a narrow grasslike blade with 

arnllel, and an obloq leaf is broader but 

edges with ec P ges nlso nearly parallel. A lance-shaped or 

lnnceoh4e leaf hns the form of a lance, several 

times longer than broad, pointed at a ex or tip 

end, ancl broadest near base, while t I' le reverse 

shape is oblanceolate. An mate leaf hns an oval 

shape broadest to~vard the base, more or less as in 

an e g, while nn obovate leaf is the reverse, 

bron f est to\vard apex. An elliptic leaf has an oval 

slitlpe but broadest in the center. A circular leaf 

has t,he blade more or less in form of a circle, while 

a spatulnte leaf is spoon-shaped. 

As to margin or edge a leaf blade may be 

toothed, lobed, witllout teeth, or rolled under. The 

apes nnd bnse of lenf blade may be long-pointed, 

short-pointed, or rounded, or the base heartshaped, 

if with two rounded lobes. 

In vennt ion or nrran ement of the veins a leaf 

bltltle mny be paralle F -veined, if the veins are 

closely placed side by side or parallel; pinnate- 

(veined: with a single main vein or midrib and lateral 

veins on both sides somewhnt as in a feather; 

or pelmate-veined. when several main veins arise 

at the base and spread like fingers in a hand. 

Flower Clusters 

The grouping of flowers and fruits in clusters 

(inflorescences) and their location and arrangement 

often provide characters useful in identification 

of trees. A flower cluster is terminal when it 

is at the apex or end of n twig and ZateraZ when 

borne at the base of a lenf or on the side of a twig. 

The flowers may be produced singly, one b one. 

A npike is n flower cluster with eloncatecf axis 

bearing stnlkless florr-ers, while a Taceme has an 

elongated nxis with stalked flowers, and a panicle 

is a compound raceme with brnnched asis. An 

umbel has flowels oil spreading stalks of equal 

length attached together at the npex of a larer 

stalk some~vliat like an t~mbrella. A head bears 

stalkless flowers on the broad disklike a ex of the 

nsis. In a cyme the flower cluster is de P nite, with 

the main nxis ending in the first flower and with 

other flowers borne on bmnches below.

Flowers 

For classification and identification of trees and 

other flowering plants, the flowers and fruits, or 

reproductive orpns, are the most ~mportnnt parts. 

They show the relationships better than the leaves 

and other vegetative organs, nrhich are less constant 

and often vary greatly under different environments. 

The commoner plant families can be 

recognized by their characteristic flo~vers. It has 

seemed desirable, therefore, to describe the flower 

structure of ench tree species in simple tcrms with 

mensureiments. 

The flower is a modified stem bearing four or 

fewer groups or circles of specialized lenves known 

as calyx, corolla, stamens, nnd pistil (or pistils). 

The cdp, or outermost group, m composed of reduced 

leaves enemlly green and called sepds, 

while the cmgo f la consists of larger and usually colored 

parts known as petals. The corolla may be 

regular with equal petals or i~regular with petals 

of unequal size nnd ma be tubular with the petals 

united into n tube. T i' lo stamens or male orgnns 

of the flo\ver have a jilarnent or stnlk and an anther 

or enlarged, usually yellow part which bears the 

pollen, or male elements. Sometimes, tlle stamens 

may be replaced by staminodes, which are nonfunctional 

or sterile stamens, usually smnll. 

In the center of the flower there is usually a 

single pistil or female orpn (sometimes few to 

many) developed from one or more specialized 

leaves. The pistil consists of three parts: the 

ovnry or enlarged part at the base, the style or 

stalk above the ovary, and the stigma, the usually 

enlarged and often sticky end, which receives the 

pollen. The orary contains 1 to mnny ovules, 

rounded whi tish female elements. The mature 

ovnry is the fruit, while the ovules become the 

. seeds. 

In position with respect to the other flower parts, 

the ovary may be superior or inferior. The superior 

ovary, the common type, is free or separnte 

In tho center of the flower and inserted inward 

from or above the other pnrts. The inferior ovnry 

is located below the calyx, corolla, and the stamens, 

\vhich appear to be inserted above. The structure 

of the orary, including the number of cavities or 

cell8 from 1 to several and number and position of 

the ovules within, is important in classification of 

plant families. 

The receptacle is the enlarged base of bhe flower 

where the flower parts are ~nserted. Above tlle 

receptacle and inward from the corolln there is 

sometimes a disk or smnll pnrt like n circle or ring, 

often glandulnr. The receptacle may form a bnsnl 

tube or cup called the Ir?/pnnthkcm, which may 

enclose the inferior ovnr or sometimes surround 

the superior ovnry ant T bear the other parts 

loctlted above. 

Though usually possessing stamens and pistil 

nnd thus wit111 both sexes or bisexunb, flowers mny 

be of one ses only or uni.veztinl. A lnale flower has 

stamens but no pistil, and a female flol~er has a 

pistil but no stamens. A species with male and 

female flowers on the same plant is said to be munoecioti.9, 

\\-hile one with male and female flowers 

on di lferent plants, which are also male or female, 

is dioecious. In olygamous s ecies flowers of one 

sex and bisexun i" flowers are 6 orne on the same 

individunl. 

Fruits 

Developing from mature ovary, the fruit contains 

the seeds and sometimes other flower parts 

still nttnched. Present often for longer periods 

than flowers or also remaining under the trees 

after falling, bhe fruits may be especially helpful 

in identification. Commonly the fruit originates 

from a single pistil and is sz~ple. A fruit from 

several pistils in one flower is n greqate (for example, 

coraz6n or custard-apple{, whlle one from 

several united flowers often partly from an enlar 

ed fleshy stalk is multiple (for example, higo 

or f g). 

Simple fruits are classed as dr!/ or @shy (juicy 

or succulent). Some dry fruits do not o en to relase 

the seeds (indelliscent), while ot R ers open 

(delliscent). The akene is a dry fruit not openlng 

and contamin a single seed separate from the 

fruit wall. T Ch e nut is also 1-seeded with a thick 

hard shell. The pod or legume is a d 1-celled 

fruit which splits open usually along 2 1! lnes (for 

esam le, the legume famil ). The cap~ule is a 

i! r' 

dry uit of 2 or more ce Is which opens on as 

mnny lines as cells. Fleshy fruits, which do not 

open, include the bemy, mhlch usually has several 

seeds, and the drupe, whioh hns a central stone or 

hard pnrt containing 1 or more seeds. 

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK IN TREE 

IDENTIFICATION 

Many trees can be identified by reference to the 

drawings, descriptions, and distribution notes. 

However, the illustrations alone may not e.mpha- 

size differences among closely related species not 

figured. It is helpful to have for comparison the 

flowers and fruits in addition to foliage because 

many kinds of trees have leaves of similar shape. 

Often one tree can be found in blossom out of sea- 

son, perhaps at the edge of a forest, and old fruits 

may be located on dead branches or on the ground. 

A ruler and a hnnd lens are useful in examinirg 

the specimen and comparing it with the descnp- 

tion. 

If the local common name of a tree in Puerto 

Rico or the Virgin Islands is obtained, such as by 

asking residents, then the description, illastration, 

and scientific name can be found by consulting the 

page listed in the Index of Common and Scientific 

Names. Since common names in other countries 

and as many as five languages are included, the 

Index will be helpful in determining the same spe- 

cies elsewhere. 

To nvoid errors, identification from a common 

name should always be verified by inspecting the

drawing and comparing the specimen with the Accordingly, some small trees often shrubby and 

main distinguishing characters or, if needed, with not reaching sawlog size ha~e been included. 

the detailed description of leaves, flowers, and 

fruits. Otherwise, the use of the same common ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

name for unrelated tree species in different places 

or misapplication of a name may lead to confusion. 

Credit is due various persons of the United 

The List of Tree Species with Descriptions and 

States Forest Service, past and present, far their 

Illustrations will also aid identification because it 

assistmice in preparing this book and particularly 

lists the species in the usual botanical arrangeto 

Leslie R. Holdridge, who initiated the project, 

ment with related trees together, alphabetically by 

made extensive botanical collections. supervised 

scientific names under each plant family. If the 

dra~ving of numerous illustrations (also making 

family is recognized, names of the examples with 

a few), and mote the two preliminary volumes. 

page numbers will be found in the List. Likewise, 

In those volumes acknowledgment mas made to 

an unknown tree resembling a known one should 

assistance in the reparation of the material by 

be sought in the same family. 

personnel of Wor E Projects Administration Offi- 

The Key to Families serves to place an unknown 

cial Project No. 165-2-36-20. 

tree in its plant family. This key includes the 68 

Most of the black and white drawings were prefamilies 

of this book and 20 additional small famipared 

some years ago by several t~rtists employed 

lies represented by only a few native tree species. 

by the United States Forest Service and Work 

Each family with two or more species illustrated 

Projects Administration. Francisco Roena Santicontains 

a key to these species for further identifia 

o made more than 50 of these. In 1954 to comcation. 

p f ete this volutne about 50 drawings were made by 

The Special Lists may be helpful also in identi- 

Edwin C. Rivera S. and 10 by FBlix Rosado. Five 

fying trees with unusual characters or special uses. 

others were prepared for a similar book on the 

For trees not included, reference may be made 

common trees of Venezuela by the senior author. 

to Britton and Wilson's (5) flora of Puerto Rico 

They are Ceiba pentandra. Terrninalia cata pa, 

and the Virgin Islands, which contains both keys 

mlcl Tecomn stnns by Ruby Rice Little and d moto 

species and botanical descriptions. Also bo- carpus erectus and Avicennia nitida by Ellen de 

tanical specimens of dried pressed twigs with 

Jiirgenson. The drawing of Nectmnd?aa coriacea 

leaves, flowers, and fruits, and with field notes (lowas 

made by Jane W. Roller. 

cality, altitude, date, common name, collector, 

Assistance of the New York Botanical Garden 

whether mild or planted, size, abundance, etc.) 

in making determinations of the earlier botanical 

may be forwarded to large herbaria or universicollections 

is ap reciated. Acknowledgment is 

ties for identification by specialists. 

due the United d' tates National BIuseum for the 

privilege of examining the large Puerto Rican 

STATISTICAL -SUMMARY and Virgin Islands collections in the National 

Herbarium. 

The 250 species of common t.rees of Puerto Foresters, rangers, and others of both the 

Rico and the Virgin Islands described and illus- United States Forest Service and Commonwealth 

trated here are classified into 185 genera and 68 Division of Forests, Fisheries, and TQildlife have 

plant families. Of these, 72 species, 38 genera, assisted the authors in field work and in checking 

and 6 families are exotic, or introduced. These the common names. The authors are deeply ingenera 

and families are not represented also by debted to Jose Marrero, of the Institute of Tropinative 

species of trees or smaller plants. For fur- cal Forestry and coauthor of the Spanish edition 

ther identific:ttion the 130 additional, related tree (BI), for his review of the manuscript and for his 

species (including 10 introduced) of the &%me gen- Spanish translation. Credit is due Franklin R. 

era am mentioned briefly and compared with Longwood of the United States Forest Service, 

those illustrated. Thus, 380 tree species are in- for the detailed data on about 60 Puerto Rican 

cluded for identification. To account for all native woods taken from his publications which appeared 

tree species recorded by Britton and TTilson (5) in while this manuscript was awaiting public a t' ion. 

these genera, 22 additional species of Eugenia and Distribution data by municipalities were com- 

15 of illiconicr tire listed. A second volume is piled from the forest inventory of Puerto Rico, 

planned to describe and illustrate the remaining which was conducted by the Commonn~ealth Divinative 

tree species and widely grown exotics in sion of Forests, Fisheries, and Wildlife under the 

these and other genera and in 20 other families. direction of Benjamin R. Seda. From these rec- 

Numbers of tree species accepted for an area mill ords the distribution maps were made by Radl 

depend l~potl tlle definition of a tree or minimum Ybarra C., of the Institute of Tropical Forestr 

size considered. Tlrees may be defined as woody Alfonse Nelthropp, of Charlotte Amalie, & 

plants having one erect perennial stem or trunk Thomas, has contributed many common names 

at least 3 inclies (7.5 cetltimeters) in diameter a.t used in tlle Virgin Islands. Roy 0. Woodbury, 

breast height (d.b.h. or at 41, feet or 1.4 meters), of the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural 

a more or less definitely formed crown of foliage, Experiment Station, has checked and added to the 

and a heiglit of at least 12 to 15 feet (4 meters). list of species growing also in southern Florida.

FORESTS AND FORESTRY IN PUERTO RICO AND 

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS 

The trees native to Puerto Rico and the Virgin in short disttulces. Elerntions range from sea 

Islands, some 500 species, were found at the time level to 4,398 feet, precipitntion from 30 to 180 

of discovery in extensive nnd lusurinnt forests. inches nnnunlly, and soils from deep to very shnl- 

Wherens such forests hnve subsequent] all but dis- low, nnd from fine clnys to con~se sqnds. 

appeared, there is every renson to be r iere thnt at. Along tlie wiad-swept senconsts Ivns n low scrubthe 

time of Columbus' arrival the dominant vege- by littornl \voodlnnd so narrow nnd so small in 

tation throughout the islnnds, with the possible area thnt it is not sllo\vn in figure 2. Most of tho 

exception of a fom small marshes, IVRS forest. The trees in this tvoodlnnd were small nnd of poor form 

reports of early roynpurs (1, 8, 25) all describe due to extreme exposure to snlt winds. On dry 

the islnnds ns forest covered. Furthermore, in rocky slopes fncing the southern or southwestern 

other regions of similar climate and soil the ve - coasts, on Ane nda, on Mona, and on other small 

tation is forest wherever it has not been modi r ed 

by man. The natural vegetation of Puerto Rico, P 

including forests nnd plnnt successions, has been 

described by Glenson and Cook (IS, 6). 

THE VIRGIN FORESTS 

Descri tion of the virgin forests of Pnerto Rico 

and the F irgin Islands can now be only very npproximate, 

since few relics ren~nin in Puerto Rico 

and none in the Virgin Islands. 'tIThererer pnrtinl 

cutting or complete deforestation hns once taken 

place, even where forests nre subseqnently nllowed 

to redevelop, the relative nbundnnce of the different 

species suffers a marked chnnge. The brief 

descr~ption here presented is bnsed upon n study 

of a few re~nninin virgin forests in Puerto Rico 

38) and upon pu 

i 

%. lished descriptions of similnr 

orests in nenrby islnnds, particularly those by 

Beard (3). 

The eight climnx forest, ty es or forest regions 

shown in figure 2 nre descri Ee d belo\\- with lists 

of the comnlon trees. Reference is mnde primnrily 

to Puerto Rico,. nnd some species ment~oned nre 

not in the Virg~n Islnnds. Holyever, the pnernl 

chnmcter of tho vegetation there ~ms appnrently 

as hero described. 

The more important, differences in the nnturnl 

vegetntion of Puerto Rico nnd the Virgin Islnnds 

reflect vnrintions in topography, climnte, nnd soil. 

The reget~~t,ion of the constnl plnins n-as unlike 

thnt of t.he steeper upper slopes, nnd n still different, 

type of forest clotlled the uppermost penks. 

Differences in the total nmount nnd sensonnl distribution 

of precipitntion produced extreme differences 

between the fo~vsts of the enstern monntains 

of Pr~erto Rico nnd those of the southwest const. 

Red~~ced moist~lre nvailnbility due to shallow soils, 

pnrticulnrly in the limestone regions, is mnnifest 

In the growill of trees on srlch nrens. The contrasts 

nmong the rnrious vegetative tvpes nre striking 

becnuse of the extreme mnge of conditions with- 

6 

outlyin islnn s tlle littoral \voodlnnd assumed the 

form o cnct~~s scrub. In the more protected locntions, 

pnrtic~~lnrly on tlie north const of Puerto 

Rico, grew trees of good timber species such as 

mnrin (Cn/ophyZ?um brudienne) , nusubo (Nanil- 

A.clr*a bidentuta), roble (Tabebuin hetet*ophyZZa), 

nncl tortugo nr~lnrillo (Side?.oxylon foefidissi- 

III~~~IL). Olle of the most prominent species near 

the shore wns uvct de playa (Coccoloba uvifera). 

Along the sl~ores of protected bnys, Ingoons, and 

~stunries in till nren too restricted to sliow in figure 

2 were dense stnnds of mnngrove, the trees of only 

four species rowing to a height of 60 feet or more. 

Five public f orests bordering the coast, mnppedin 

fig~~re 3, still contnin mnngroves. In the water ~ t- 

self wns mnngle colorndo (Rhizophora mangle). 

On tlie ndjncent nren normal1 subject to tidal 

flooding were mangle blnnco ( t agzalcukamiz ruces~osa) 

rind mangle nep (Avicennia nitida) . On 

the lnndwnrd side wns mnngle bot6n (Conocarpus 

ewcttts). Tl~e strong durnble timbers of mnngle 

colorndo and mnngle bot6n were much used for 

construction. 

On the constnl lnin nnd lower slopes, up to an 

elevntion of 500 ? eet or more in Pueyto Rico, and 

to the to s of most mountnins of the Vlrgin Islands 

grew 11 $ forest 1,-hicli nns lnrgely ever 

\\.it11 somo dwiduons species, pnrt~culnr ryn y m the 

drier constnl nrens. At its best develo ment, on 

the aortl~ern constnl plnin of Puerto Eico, this 

forest nttnined 8? feet or more 111. height. Else- 

\\.l~ere, in the n~o~st limestolle reglon nnd on the 

sol~tll coast of Pr~erto Rico, and in the Virg~n 

Isl:inds, it nppnrently shorter, from 40 to 60 

feet tall. This forest consisted of two tree stories, 

encli co~nposed of distinct species. The lower story 

constitated n forest within n forest and de nded 

111)on the upper cnoopy fqr.its existence. TE regetntion 

rnried in compos~t~on from plnce fo place 

but it was ererytvliere n mixture of specles. At 

Icilst 200 t ree sl)rcics were present some\\-here within 

the nnturnl distribution of this forest.

Within the area described are four distinct forest 

regions or ecological provinces, each giving rise 

to a distinct type of forest. These re~ions or provinces, 

designated as moist coast, moist limestone, 

dry coast, and dry limestone, are shown in figure 2. 

?he more common or characteristic species of 

the moist coastal forest included the following: 

Acrocomia media Psidium guajasa 

Nectandra coriacea Nanilkara btdentata 

Hernundia sonora Siderox lon 

Hymnuea courbaril /oe t idstimum 

Andira inemia C%t harexylum 

Pterocarpw officinal& fmtico&um 

Zanthoxylum 

Petitia domingensis 

martinicense 

Tabebuia heterophylla 

Calophyllum 

Genipa americam 

brasilieme 

Guettarda scabra 

illammea americana Randia acuteata 

The moist limestone forest was similar to that 

along the coast and had many of the same species. 

The chief differences appear to be due to the drier 

soils on the well-drained limestone hills and the 

ater humidity in the protected areas between 

T' 

t e hills, especially in the sout.hern part of this 

area which is close to the central mountains. .The 

trm species of the moist limestone forest include : 

Aiphanes 

aeanthophylla 

Baussia attenuata 

Coccoloba diversifolia 

Coccoloba pubescens 

Licaria salicifolia 

Zant hox y Zum 

nuzrtinicense 

Bursera simarmba 

Cedrela oderata 

Hyeronima cluswides 

Sapium lauroceras.tu 

Thouinia striata 

Montesuma 

speciosissima 

Ochroma pyramidale 

Clu8ia. rosea 

Bucida bucem 

Tetrw gia ekagnaides 

I 

Dipho is salicifolia 

Siderox lon 

oeti&si-m 

Guettarda scabra 

Terebraria resinosa 

Randia aculeata 

On the southern, dry side of Puerto Rico the 

more adverse moisture conditions excluded many 

of the tree species common on the north side. In 

their places grew a few other species especially 

adapted to such conditions. The tree species of 

the dry coastal forest include : 

Coccoloba venosa Pot gala cowellii 

Cap aris cynopha2b- Cei fa pentandm 

p I ora 

Guazuma dmif oZia 

Stahlia monospemza CanelZu wintemna 

Lonchocarpus dontin- Bucida buceras 

Prn?tSh 

Rauvolfia nitida 

Pictetm aculeata Cordia nitida 

Erythroxyhn areola- Citharez ylum 

turn 

fruticosum 

Guaiocum officim.de 

In the limestone region of the south coast, as on 

the north coast, excessive soil drainage accentuates 

the dryness of the environment to a point that some 

species of trees cannot subsist. Others which are 

more hardy replace these. The trees of the dry 

limestone forest include : 

Pbonia dbida 

Guaiacum, officinale 

Guaiacum sanctum 

A?nyris elemif era 

Bursera &mamba 

G ymnnnthes lucida 

Thouinia portorlcmia 

Colubrina n~*borescens 

Su)~cmphaZua reticulalus 

I~cphnlocereus royed 

0 y u~ttia rubescens 

Btrcidcl bucerua 

Dipholb sdicifolia 

Plumeria dba 

The constal forests of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

Islands, unlike those of the other Greater 

Antilles, con tnined no mahogany (Swietenia mahngoni). 

Widespread use of the wood and early 

introduction of the tree to these islands has led to 

n generi11 impression that this species is native. 

However, whereas the young trees develop abundantly 

in Puerto Rico beneath or near planted 

trees of this species, they are never encountered in 

native forest at any distance from such trees. Had 

the species been native, there would still be young 

trees throughout the coastal forests of the island 

without relation to the location of planted trees. 

It is extremely unlikely that it could ever have 

been exterminated, since aceitillo (Zanthoaylum, 

flavton), a tree in greater demand and with much 

wealter reproductive capacity than mahogany, is 

still to be found in remote forests. 

Typical mountain forests are confined to Puerto 

Rico, although :L small patch of similar but unique 

forest is found on the top of Sage Mountain, Tortola. 

Between about 500 to 2,000 feet elevation in 

the enstern mountains, known as Luquillo Mountains, 

and to 3,000 feet in the central mountains or 

Central Cordillera, slightly higher on the south 

slope than on the north, was probably the most 

magnificent forest of Puerto Rico. bluch of the 

original vegetation of this area is described as 

tropical moist forest; in the wettest areas it is tropical 

rain forest. At its maximum development this 

forest reached 110 feet in height, with trees to 8 

feet. in diameter. Three forests of distinct size and 

composition grew together here, each forming a 

separate story of vegetation. Throughout the 

range of this type of forest there mere probably 

about 170 tree species. 

Within the mountain area are two forest regions 

or ecological provinces and corresponding distinct 

forest types. These provinces are desi ated as 

lower Cordillera and lower Luquillo. f" t is seen 

in figure 2 that the lower Cordillera province includes 

both the north and south lower slopes of 

the central mountains of Puerto Rico and the 

Sierra de Cnyey and also the upper slopes of the 

disconnected Sierra de Atalaya in the northwest. 

The Lu uillo Mountains are separate both geographica 

'I ly and ecologically from the Central 

Cordillera. 

The trees of the lower Cordillera forest include 

the following :

Cyathea arborea Cupanin americana 

Cecropia peltata Meliosmn he?*Bertii 

Ocotea 7eucoxylon 6'n.uearia arborea 

Ocotea ntoochata ilo~~aalium racernosum 

nirtelln rugoaa B~rchcnnvin capitata 

Inqa 7aut.in.a Myrcia deflexa 

Pithcello bium De~~dropanaa: arbormc.~ 

arborewm Diflymopanax 

Andirn inemis mm-ototoni 

Or?nosia krugii Linociera domingensi8 

Dncr!/odeo excelsa Coldia alliodora 

Cedre?a odo?*afa Cordia borinquensis 

Gunren f rich ilioides Cordia sulcnta 

Hyrson inla coriacea T7itex diearicata 

Drypetes glauca Tabebuia heterophylla 

The forest of the lower slopes of the Luquillo 

hlountains is similar in genernl a penrance to that 

in the Cordillera, bat becnnse o f greater precipitation 

nnd hi her lli~~rnidity it is so~newliat more 

luxuritlnt, ctn d several tree species are much more 

common here than elsowliere. The trees of the 

lower Luquillo province include the following: 

CyntAea arborea Alchorneopsis portori- 

Cecropin peltata oensia 

Beil-~chmiedia pendula Drgpetes glauca 

Ocoten le~tco~ylon Snpitlm la~~ro~erasus 

Ocotea moschata Cupanin wmericana 

Hi~tella rugosa Nelwsrnn herbertii 

1nga lautz'na Slonnea berteriann 

Andira in~mis Ochroma pyramidale 

Ormosin krugii Caqearia arborea 

Dacryode.~ ezcelsa B~cchenavia capitata 

Tetragnstris balsami- ,Vyrcia deflexa 

fera Manilkara bidentata 

Guaren trichilioides Linociera domingensis 

Trichilin pnllida Cordia borinquensis 

Ryrsonima coriacea Tnbebuia heterophylla 

The similar forest on the top of Sage bfountain, 

Tortola, does not exceed 60 feet in height, apparently 

because of a somewhnt drier climate. It 

contains many species associated with this forest 

in Puerto R~co nnd is dominated nlmost exclusively 

by bulletwood (Nnnilkara bidentata) . 

Farther up the slopes in Puerto Rico, extending 

to near the tops of the peaks, wns a subtropical 

rain forest. Here the temperature is lower, and 

rainfall, rnnging from 100 to possibly 200 inches 

annually, is so abundant tls to produce swampy 

conditions and highly leached soils. The result 

was n compnrntively poor forest nbout 60 feet tall 

and containing nbout 60 tree species. 

This upper mountain forest is distinct in the 

Cordillera and the Luquillo Mountnins primarily 

because of more moist conditions in the latter. 

The common or characteristic tree species of the 

upper Cordillern forest include : 

Cqothen arborea Matayba domingem08 

i?uterpe globo~a Cltr~ia krugiana 

Magnolia portoricenais Calycogoniunt 

Guatteria blainii squumdusum 

Ocotea spathollala 

Brn~neUia Heterotrichum 

comocladif olin cym osztnt 

Alchornea latifolia rll ictopholis 

Ttirpinia paniculata chrysop Ayhides 

In the upper Luquillo Mountains the forest is 

similnr to that of the Cordillera, but there are in 

addition IL number of species found only on the 

Luquillo AIountnins. The common tree species of 

the upper Luquillo Forest include the following: . - 

Cyathea arbarea Eugenia bon'nguenaie 

Euterpe globosa Calycogonium 

Magnolia splendem squamtdosum 

Octotea epathlllata FIeterotrichwn 

Alchornea IatifoZia cymosum 

Croton poecilanthus Micro pholis 

Cyrilla racemiflora chrysophylbides 

Natayba domingensia NicrophoZis 

Clusia kt-ugiana garciniaef olia 

CaZyptranthee krugii Z'abebuia &&?a 

One of the most prominent species in these 

upper mountain forests is the sierra palm (Euterpe 

globosa) which forms extensive, nearly pure 

stnnds on unstable soils. In the western part of 

the Cordillern and nenr El Yunque peak in the 

Luquillo blountains grows Puerto Rico's only 

arborescent gymnosperm, cnobilla (Podocarpw 

cmiaceus) . 

On Puerto Rico's mountain peaks, above 2,500 

feet elevation, the forest is dwarfed to 20 feet or 

less in height. Little or no valuable timber ispresent 

in this forest, but tree species of interest include 

IVeintnannia pinnata and BtuneUia comocladifolia. 

THE FORESTS OF TODAY 

Within the total area of Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islnnds, approximately 2,335,000 ncres, 

there are now nbout 560,000 acres covered by trees.' 

Of this about 280,000 acres are covered b forests 

or brush. Included here are an estimate cf 235,000 

ncres in Puerto Rico and 46,000 acres in the Virgin 

Islands. Only about 8,000 acres, sli htly more 

tlltln 1 percent, of tlie forests, are stifi in virgin 

condition. 

An estimated 108,000 acres, virtually all in 

Puerto Rico, ire covered by coffee shnde. Of this 

some 125,000 ncres bear also coffee trees, the rest 

being shacled by trees but abandoned as plantations. 

Another 70,000 acres are woodland pastures, 

mhero the trees are more widely spaced but 

form u light shade. Of this area, 45,000 acres are 

in Puerto Rico and 25,000 acres in the Virgin 

Islancls. Some 10,000 acres are in orchards, chiefly 

coconut groves. 

'The estirnnted areas In this chapter are based upon 

reports of the Puerto Rlco Department of Agriculture and 

Conlnierce, the IJuerto Illco Plnnnlng Board, the United 

States Census, anti recent ofllclnl reports on agriculture 

In tl~e Unitecl States Vlrgln Islands. Data on the British 

Virgin Islands are rough approximations, based upon 

personal observations in the area.

It is thus seen that more than three-fourths of 

the land surface of Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

Islands is bare of trees. Far more than this has 

been deforested at one time or another. 

The cuttin of the forests, done partly to harvest 

their timber % ut more generally to clear land for 

farming, took place primarily in the 19th centur . 

It eliminated tree growth from the more ferti f e 

and accessible lands. The remaining trees are located 

chiefly on steep slopes, rocky mountain summits, 

or where excessive shallo~vness, dryness? or 

wetness of the soil precludes economic farmin . 

Thus the best developed forests have disappeare g . 

Most of the forests remaining are those which reappeared 

after farming was abandoned on these 

poor lands. 

The remaining forests are nearly all very different 

from those found by the early voxageurs. The 

most valuable trees, both as to species and as to 

size, have been removed. Few trees exceed 12 

inches in diameter. Most of these nre of species 

unused for purposes other than fuel, and thus of 

negligible value. These larger trees of inferior, 

quality tend to suppress the deyelopment of any 

younger trees of more valuable species which may 

be owing beneath them. 

fnumber of the introduced exotic tree species 

have become naturalized in the forests of the 

islands, now appearing as though native. Common 

naturalized species in the humid forests of 

Puerto Rico include pomarrosa (Bugenin jambos), 

emajagua (Hibiscus tgiaceus) , almendra (Terminulia 

catappa) , bucayo gigante (Eqthrinn 

poeppigianu) , and tuliptin africano ( Spathodea 

campanulatu). On the dry southwestern coast of 

Puerto Rico bayahonda (Prosopia futiflora) has 

become naturalized in pastures. In the United 

States Virgin Islands an outstandin naturalized 

tree in the forests (particularly in f5t. Croix) is 

Dominican mahogany (Szuietenia mahagmi) and 

in pastures, tibet (Albizia Zebbek) . 

FOREST CONSERVATION 

The trees and forests of Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islands are a valuable asset. The orna- 

mental value of trees around homes along the 

roadsides and in parks is apparent to all. Tree 

fruits provide valuable foods and important items 

of commerce. Forested areas in the mountains 

or along beaches offer peaceful shady environment 

for outdoor recreation and on each of the islands 

constitute important tourist attractions 

Not so apparent nny more is the value of the 

forests for the timber they supply. The best 

trees have been cut long since, so this contribution 

from the forest is no longer what it was. The use 

of wood in construction and charcoal for cooking 

is declining in the face of substitute materials. 

However, the forests do continue to supply numer- 

ous products, such as posts, which are of utility 

in farming regions. 

The least obvious of the values of our forests 

is as important as any other, their capacity to conser17e 

soil and water resources. This protective 

benefit from forest is unexcelled by any other 

crop. The forest litter seduces surface runoff and 

erosion. The porous soil beneath forests retains 

its maximum capacity to absorb rain water-water 

tvhich may then appear gradually through clear 

springs rather than in the form of muddy torrents. 

The importance of the trees and forests of 

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is not so much 

a matter of their present contribution as it is a 

question of what they might contribute. Past cutting 

of trees and land clearing have reduced these 

resources to a fraction of their potential. In 

recognition of the possibility of enhancing local 

forest resources, several conservation measures 

have been taken. A brief history of this activity, 

confined largely to Puerto Rico, IS presented here. 

There is little record of actual accomplishments 

in forest conservation in Puerto Rico prior to 

1900. Sixteenth century S anish laws, reflecting 

the scarcity of forests in b pain, were 6enerally 

unrealistic for the completely forested lsland of 

Puerto Rico. Clearing of forests for farming was 

then needed, rather than preservation of the 

forests. 

Possibly the first indication of official interest 

in forest conservation within Puerto Rico was a 

government circular of 1824 recommending that 

strips of trees be left along and at the source 

of streams (34). The first appropriation of public 

funds for forestry in Puerto Rico is recorded 

for 1860 (St?). Public forest reserves were established 

in 1876 (7), and a forest department existed 

in the colonial government during the rest of that 

century. The extent and condition of the island's 

forest resources, as described at the end of the century, 

testify that conservation efforts to that time 

mere not very effective. 

The first step toward forest conservation in 

Puerto Rico during the present century was the 

proclamation of the Luquillo Forest Reserve in 

1903. This area wt~s surveyed in 1916 and proved 

to contain about 12,400 acres. The United States 

Forest Service appointed a supervisor to administer 

this forest in 1917. In the same year the 

Puerto Rico Forest Service was established and by 

1920 was responsible for the protection of more 

than 26,000 acres of unalienated forest lands in the 

mangroves, at Guiinica and Maricao, and on Mona 

Island. 

Forestry activities wem materially expanded 

\\-it,h the advent of the Civilian Conservation 

Corps in 1935. Since that time the area of Federal 

forest lands has increased to about 28,000 

acres, and the Common~~ealth now administers 

about another 50,000 acres. 

The public forests of Puerto Rico have been 

placed under protection, improved, and put to use. 

Boundaries have been identified and rqonumented, 

and roads and ranger stations have een built 

A'

FXOUBE 4.-Bbre& lands of Puerto Rico (shaded, from Koenig (18% p 116))

within these forests. About 2,500,000 cubic feet 

of timber have been removed from the forests in 

order to harvest mature trees and to eliminate inferior 

trees. About 7,500 acres of forest have been 

improved in this way. An additional 22,000 acres 

of deforested lands have been planted with trees. 

Seven recreation are= within these forests have 

been built for the use of the public. These improvements 

represent a total investment of not less 

than $15,000,000. 

The Federal and Puerto Rican governments 

have cooperated in encouraging forestr on pri- 

vate lands as well. The Agricnltural xtension 

Service of the University of Puerto Rico and the 

Federal Soil Conservation Service advise farmers 

on forestry techniques. The Commonwealth Di- 

vision of Forests, Fisheries, and 'ATildlife (the suc- 

cessor to the Puerto Rico Forest Service) and the 

United Stntes Forest Service cooperate in the pro- 

duction of forest tree nursery stock for distribu- 

tion to farmers. The United Stntes Forest Service 

has since 1939 conducted research in forest man- 

agement and utilization in Puerto Rico, and since 

1955 its primary. function has been forest research, 

carried out at the Institute of Tropical Forestry 

in Rio Piedras. 

The task of conserving and making productive 

Puerto Rico's forest lands (fig. 4) is far from 

completed. More than 500,000 acres within the 

island are not well suited to other than forest 

crops. Present public forest lands under protec- 

tion and management constitute only about 16 per- 

mnt of this area. Almost none of the private 

lands are under forest management, and more 

than half of them are completely deforested. 

More serious still is that substantial areas of such 

land are subject to shifting cultivation, with at- 

tendant erosion and sedimentation of reservoirs 

downstream. The placing of Puerto Rico's forest 

lands under good management is a task requiring 

more research, extension, and, in some areas, pub- 

lic acquisition of lands. 

H 

In the Virgin Islands a few old lams exist regarding 

the protection of trees along streams, but 

in the course of time these islands, both &e British 

and United States, became almost completely deforested 

to the tops of the mountains. However, 

in the United States islands extensive secondary 

forests have developed with the decline in population 

and agriculture which took place in the past 

50 years. 

Possibly the outstanding early development 

which is of significance to forestry was the introduction 

of Dominican mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) 

into St. Thomas and St. Croix. This 

introduction, judging by the size of some of the 

older trees on St. Croix, must have been made at 

least 200 ears ago. A planting in the hills south- 

\vest of 2' .hristiansted, St. Croix, has given rise to 

natural regeneration of mnhogany covering some 

200 adjacent acres, suggesting that this valuable 

species might be introduced into secondary forests 

elsewhere in the islands. 

A limited government propam of tree planting 

>\-as carried out in St. Thomas in the early 

1930b, administered from Puerto Rico. Undoubtedly 

some of the younger mahognnies on 

that island are n result. Nevertheless, this species 

is relatively unknown in St. John and Tortola. 

A new forestrv program is now underway in the 

United States Virgin Islands, sponsored by the 

Federal Government through the Virgin Islands 

Corporation. Trees are being propagated fpr cooperntive 

planting on private lands, a sawmill has 

been set up to utilize mature trees, and new species 

are being tested as to their adaptability to local 

growing conditions. Estate Thomas Experimental 

Forest ~~\.ns established on St. Croix in 1963. 

In the British Virgin Islands the Protection of 

Trees and Conservation of Soil and Water Ordinance 

of 1954 laid the basis for the protection of 

areas requiring tree growth as a protection for soil 

and water resources. That government contemplates 

initial concentration on the protection of 

intermittent stream beds by tree planting.

(1) Abbad y Lasierra, Iiiigo. 

1866. Historia reogrhflca, civil y natural de la isla de 

San Juan ~iudsta de ~uerto Rico. Imprenta g 

Liberia de Acosta San Juan. 508 pp. 

(2) Bnrrett, Mary F. 

1956. Common exotic trees of South Florida (Dicotyledons). 

414 pp., illus. Gainesville. 

(3) Beard, J. S. 

19-19. The natural vegetation of the Windward and 

Leeward Islands. Oxford Forestm Nem. No. 21, 192 

pp., illus. 

(4) Britton, N. L. 

1918. The flora of the American Virgin Islands. Brooklyn 

Bot. Gard. Mem. 1 : 10-118. 

(5) - and Wilson, Percy. 

1923-30. Descriptive flora-Spermatophyta. Botany of 

Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 

Sci. Surv. Porto Rico Virgin Islands, v. 5, 6. 

(6) Cook, i\Zelville T.. and Gleason, Henry Allan. 

1928. Ecological survey of the flora of Porto Rico. 

Porto Kico Uept. Agr. Jonr. 1% :1-139. illus. 

(7) Cuba. 

1007. Disposiciones vigentes relativas a1 servicio del 

Ramo de Montes en la Isla de Cuba. Havana. 

(8) Durlnnd, William D. 

1929. Forest regeneration in Puerto Rico. Econ. Geog. 

5 : 86-1. 

(&) ICggers, H. F. A. 

1879. -. . Tho flora of St. Croix and the Vlr~n - Islands. 

U.S. htl. 311s. Bul. 13,133 pp. 

(9) Fernbndez y JimBnez, Jose Maria. 

1867. Tratado de la arboricultura cubana y lleva 

agregada de la Isla de Pinos y Puerto-Rico. 225 pp. 

Habana. 

(10) Gifford, John C. 

1005. The Lunulllo Forest Reserve, Porto Rico. U.S. 

Dept. Agr. ~ur. Forestry Bul. 54,52 up., illus. 

(11) Gilormini Jose A. 

1947. Manual para la propagation de drboles y el 

establecimiento de plantaciones forestales en Puerto 

Rico. Ed. 2, 109 pp., illus. Puerto Rico Dept. Agr. 

Com. Servicio Forestal. 

(12) Gleason, H. A., and Cook, Mel. T. 

1927. Plant ecology of Porto Rico. N.Y. Acad. Scl., Sci. 

Snrv. Porto Rico Virgin Islands 7: 1-173, illus. 

(13) Hill, Robert T. 

1899. Notes on the forest conditions of Porto Rico. 

U.S. Dept. Agr. Div. Forestry Bul. 25, 48 pp., illus. 

(14 ) Holdridge, L. R. 

191243. Arboles de Puerto Rico. U.S. Dept. Agr. Forest 

Serv. Trop. Forest Expt. Sta. Pub. 1,2, illus. - 

(15) - 

1942. Trees of Puerto Rico. U.S. Dept. Agr. Forest 

Serv., Trop. Forest Expt Sta. Pub. 1, 2, illus. 

(16) -and 3Iuiicn MacCormick, Carlos. 

1989. Plantas venenosns y de pelos pnnzantes de Pnerto 

Rico. Rerista Agr. Puerto Rico 31 : 516522, illus. 

(17) Kelsey, Harlan P., and Dayton, William A. 

1042. Standardized plant names. Ed. 2, 675 pp. Hnrrlsburg, 

Pa. 

(18) Kennarcl, William C., and Winters, Harold F. 

1900. Some fruits and niits for the tropics. U.S. Dept. 

Agr. Misc. Pub. 801, 135 pp., Illus. 

(1%) Koenig, Nathan. 

19.53. A comnrehensire arrriculturnl nrorram for Pnerto 

Rico. U.S. Dept. Agr. k!3 pp., illus. - 

(19) Little, Elbert L., Jr. 

19.53. Check list of native and naturalized trees of the 

United States (includin~ Alaska). U.S. Dent. * Arr.. -. 

Agr. Handb. 41..472 . nD. .- - 

(20) - 

1955. Trees of Mona Island. Caribb. Forester 13 : 36-53, 

illus. 

LITERATURE CITED 

(21) Little, Elbert L., Jr., Wadmvorth, Frank H., and 

JIzirrero, Jose. 

1004. Arboles comunes de Puerto Rico e Islas Vlrgenes. 

Unirersidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, 

l'uerto Rico. 

(22) Long~vood, Franklin R. 

1961. Puerto Rican woods; their machining, seasoliing 

and related characteristics. U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. 

Handb. 205, 98 pp., illus. 

(23) - 

1M2. Present and potential commercial timbers of the 

Carihhean with special reference to the West Indies, 

the Guianas. and British Honduras. U.S. Dent. - Am.. -. 

Agr. ~andb..207,167 pp., illus. 

(24 ) IIartorell, Luis F. 

1953 ( 1954 1. b Que drbol gembrare? Caribb. Forester 

(25) hlelgarejo, Juan. 

1914. JIemoria y descripcibn de la isla de San Juan de 

Puerto Rico en el aiio 1582. Bol. Hist. de Puerto Rico 

1 : 75-91. 

(26) Menninger, Edwin A. 

1958. JIrhot flowering tree is that? A handbook fbr 

the tropics. 1958 Ed. 176 pp., illus. Stuart, Fla. -- ' 

(27) - 

1962. Flowering trees of the world for tropics and warm 

climates. 336 pp., illus. New York. 

(28) Morton, Julia F., and Ledin, R. Bruce. 

1952. 4400 plants of south Florida. 134 pp., illus. 

Cnral Gables, Fla. 

(29) Murphy, Louis S. 

1916. Forests of Porto Rico, past, present and future, 

and their physical and economic development. U.S. 

Dept. Agr. Bul. 364.99 pp., illus. 

(30) Oakes, A. J., and Butcher, James 0. 

1962. Poisonous and injurious plants of the U.S. Virgin 

Islands. U.S. Dept. Agr. hIisc. Pub. 882, 97 pp., illus. 

(31) Ordetx Ros, Golealo S. 

1952. Flora apicola de la America tropical. 334 pp., 

illus. La Hahana, Cuba. 

(32) Otero, JOSE I., Toro, Rafael A., and Pagbn de Otero, 

Lydia. 

1945. Catdlogo de 10s nombres vulgares y cientiflcos de 

algunas plantas puertoriqueiias. Ed. 2. Puerto Rico 

T7niv. Estaci6n Expt. Agr. Bul. 37, 281 pp. 

(33) Puerto Rico. 

18W79. Presupuestos generales de ingresos y gastos 

corresondientes a 10s niios econ6micos 1800-1868 y 

1874-1879. San Juan. 

(34) Ramos, Francisco. 

1868. Prontuario de disposiciones oflciales del gobierno 

superior de la isla de Puerto Rlco. San Juan. 531 

PP. 

(35) Stahl, Agustin. 

193k.77. Estudios sobre la flora de Puerto Rico. 6 pts. 

18&3-88. Ed. 2, 3 v., portr. San Juan de Puerto Rico. 

(36) Sturrock, David, and Menninger, Edmin A. 

1046. Shade and ornanlental trees for south Floricla and 

Cuba. 172 pp., illus. Stuart, Fla. 

(37) Urban, Ignatius. 

1903-11. Flora mrtoricensis. Smbolae Antillanae v. 

4, 771 pp., 

(38) Wadmorth, Frank H. 

1050. Notes on the climax forests of Puerto Rico and 

their destruction and conservation prior to 1900. 

Carihb. Forester 11 : 38-47. 

(39) Winters, H. F., and Almeyda, N. 

1953 ((1954). Ornamental trees in Puerto Rico. 

Caribh. Forester 14 : 97-105. 

(40) Wolcott, George N. 

1950. An index to the termite-resistance of woods. 

Puerto Rico Univ. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 85, 26 pp.

SPECIA 

Common tree species of Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islands wit11 some distinctive character, 

special feature, or use in conlnlon hare been 

grouped together in various lists. These lists may 

be helpful in identification, in locating trees with 

useful products, and in selecting species for planting. 

Only those trees outstanding for n part~culnr 

character or use are included. To snve space tlie 

treo species are cited by their numbers, and common 

and scientific names may be found under 

"List of Tree Species wit11 Descriptions and Illustmtions" 

( p. iv-ix) . The additionnl species mentioned 

brio A y but not illustrated ha~e been omitted. 

POISONOUS TREES 

'. 

POI SO SOU^ TREE8 \VITH 'IDXIC FRUITS, SEEDS, OR 

LEAVE^.-^^, 66,74,81,82,83,84,85,110,124,125, 

130,141,157,168,232, 

POISOWOT:S I7I{EES \TI'1'11 IRIUT.\TING 8Als.--1 22,123, 

-124,125,120,130,132,218. 

APPEARANCE AND TRUNK 

GIAWT T R F ~ (reaching 100 feet in height, 4 feet 

in trunk dinmeter).-35,60,76,84,80,90,106,108, 

109,111,112,125, 136, 149, 153. 180.200. 

, - - - , - - , - - , - - , - - - 

111,134,149,153,209. 

hop ROOT^ (stilt roots).-20, 21, 22, 162, 163, 

179. 

UNBRANCHED STEM.-1, 3, 4-10 (palm family), 

174. 

pA~MS.410. 

HORIZOXT~~L BRANc~~IsG.-~, 60, 69, 70, 73, 75, 

147, 153, 155, 156, 157, 163, 180, 181, 184, 209, 210, 

221,222,223,224,243. 

SPINY TRUNK OR BIMNCIIES.~, 5, 58, 68, 70,73, 

77, 83, 84, 88, 96, 10.2, 108, 125, 134, 153, 175, 176, 

181,247. 

PEEJJNO, SB~OOTEI, ~~OTTI,ED BARK.-25, 28,30,42, 

93,94,105,132,194,195. 

&NGROVES (on silt shores) .-179,182,183,225. 

COLORED SAP OR LATEX 

WHITE OR MILKY SAP OR LATEX.-17, 18, 19, 21, 

22,23,24, 105, 106,120, 122,123, 124,125,120,130, 

161,174,205-214 (sapodilln fnmily), 217,218,219. 

YELLOW 

(mnngosteen family), 166. 

RDDISII sap OR LIT EX.-^^, 89, 00, 91, 229. 

BLACKIBII 88~.-132. 

OR OR\SCE S.\P OR ~\~~~.-162--165 

LISTS 

LEAVES 

VERY LAROE LEAVES (more than 1 foot lona, including 

compound leaves) .-1, 4-10 (palms), 17, 

19,20,26, 54, 50, 60, 61,72,75,81,87,107,108,109, 

110, $41,149, 154,157,159,1G7,174,201,229,233. 

SPISY LEAVE~.--~,~, 77,88,102,103. 

IJF'\\'ES REDUCED M SCALES OR NONE.-^^, 175,176. 

FRAGRANT OR ARO~ZBTIC LEI~\'EB (with odor when 

crushed) .-13, 42-61 (laurel family), 95, 96-103 

(rue family), 105,106,107, 108, 110,174,185,186, 

194,221. 

FLOWERS 

\TT~rn SHOWY ~~0rnERS.44, 35, 54, a, 62, 63, 

64,76, 91, 9&100 (citrus), 153,154,159,160,164, 

188,917,218,221,240,247. 

YELLOW SIIOIVY FLOWER^.-^^, 74, 77, 78, 80, 88, 

153, 166, 178, 236. 

Rm srron~ FLO~\TBS.--~~ (fruits), 75,82,84,91, 

151, 189,218,234,235, 237. 

nr,m OR 12rrnrLE SHOWY FLOTVERS.-81, 86, 93, 

110,117,152, IGG, 178,189,230,233. 

lrERY FRAGRANT FLoWERS.~~, 35,40, 54,58, 60, 

70, 73, 96-100 (citrus), 161,164, 217,218,240. 

FRUITS 

VERY LmaE FRUITS (more than 6 inches long md 

4 inches broad or more than 1 foot long).-6,17, 

18 37,75,91,164,232. 

Pnmr a BEANLIKE POD.-54, 58-91 (legume family), 

217,218,234,235,236,237,238. 

USES 

~ B ~ B ETREEB.-~~, R 20, 26, 34 35, 42, 48, 49, 50, 

fi2,60,62,64, GO, 70,76,79,81,8~,93,101,102,105, 

106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 115, 118, 126, 131, 134, 

139, 144, 149, 151, 153, 154,161,164,173,179,180, 

181,184, 186,191, 196,201,200,211,212,213,214, 

221 228, 229,230,236, 243. 

~lkEmc~xa~ TI~CES (US. Pl~nrrnacopodn or Dispensatory).-72, 

80, 93, 94, 97, 98, 100, 158, 168, 

194. 

EDIBLE WILD FRUITS.-~~, 29, 62, 64, 68, 69, 76, 

115,116,130,134,164,175,176,188 (escaped), 195, 

209 213,243. 

dDIBm mam pnnrs (stems, leaves, flowers, 

young fruits, seeds).4,7,9,17,54,91,184.

PLANTING LISTS 

TREES 

52, 

111, 112, 126, 161, 186, 209, 221,2-28,229,230, 236. 

TREES FoR \VIXDBRE,\KS.-3, 11, 14, 28, 74, 112, 

131,152,161,164,188,189,234,236. 

TREFs FOR SHORES (salt resistant) .-6,11,28,150, 

152,161,163,164,181,184,214,218. 

TREES FOR DRY AREA8 '\ND POOR ~ITEB.-~~, 54,60, 

05, 70, 76, 77, 80, 93, 94, 112, 157, 161, 181, 194. 

TREES FOR WET AREAS.-3, 11,14,17,20,111,152, 

184,186, 209. 

TREE^ FOR LIVISO FENCEPO~TB.-14, 22,54,82,83, 

85,105,125,134,135,150,152,167. 

CULWATED ma mma.-6, 17, 18, 37, 38, 39, 

51,80,96-100 (citrus), 127,130,131,133,135,140, 

158,181,174,188,189,195,206,210,243. 

SHADE TREES FOR COFFFZ AND CACAO.--62, 63, M, 

81,81,200. 

GROWS IN FOREST I*LASTATIONB.-11, 

ORSAJIENTAL -.-I, 3,6,9, 10, 11,14,17,18, 

19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, 39, 40, 52, 54, 57, 60, 62, 

G3, G4, G7,68,69,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,80,81, 

86,33,85,80,91,93,94,10j,110,111,112,115,117, 

131, 151, 152, 159, 161, 163,184, 166,167, 178, 181, 

184, 188,189,192,199,206,209,210,218,223,227, 

220,232,233,234,236,238,240,247, 

OI{N,IJIENTAI, TREES ALSO PRODUCINO 

811~1)~.-17, 19, 21, 23, 60, 62, 63,64, 68,69,73, 74, 

75,76,78, 80,83,84,89, 105,111,131,103,164,181, 

184,188,206,209,234. 

ORNABIENTAL TREES ALSO PRODUCINO WIBLE 

FICCIT~.-~, 17, 28, 39, 80, 131, 164, 166, 184, 188, 

206,210. 

ORSAMEST;\L 

TIMI%ER-52, 60, 69, 81, 93, 94, 111, 112, 131, 161, 

lG4,184,189,206,209,229,236. 

TREES BUO PRODUCINO VALU~LE

When the plant family of a tree is not known, 

this key to the families of the trees of Puerto 

Rico and the Virgin Islands aids identification. 

Eighty-eight plant families are included, all 75 

with native trees and also 13 others with common 

introduced trees. Of these, G8 families are represented 

in this volume, 33 by a single species illustrated, 

however. Additional keys to the remaining 

218 of the 250 tree species are inserted in the 

text under all 35 families with 2 or more species 

illustrated. Howeve?, bhe related species compared 

briefly and various genera of less common 

trees not mentioned in the test are not keyed. 

Some genera have been included in the key to 

families also. If a plant family has only 1 or 2 

genera of native trees, these generic names are 

cited after the family name. Also, several genera 

differing slight1 from the main characters of 

7 

their families lave been inserted separately. 

However, this artificial key may not provide for 

a few odd genera and extreme variations. Introduced 

or exotic enera and families are indicated 

by an asterisk (5. 

Keys are outlines or shortcuts for identifying 

trees or specimens by the process of elimination. 

Thus, trees are divided into two groups according 

to one or mom pairs of contrastin characters. 

Eaoh group is divided successive f y into two 

smaller groups until the name is reached. The 

name of a particular s ecirnen is found through 

4' 

selection, one by one, o the group which fits and 

by elimination of the others. 

In these indented keys, paired grou s are designated 

by the same letter, sinale an 2 double bepinning 

with "A" and "AA?' at the left o$ the 

page and are equally indented by steps. Th'e page 

number refers to bhe descriptive text, the beginnin 

of the family or genus listed. The 20 

f 

small amilies without page numbers are not men- 

tioned further or represented among the common 

trees described in this volume. 

An unpublished card key to families of West 

Indian trees by the senior author has served as the 

basis for this one. Nontechnical characters and 

those readily observed have been emphasized. 

The descriptive terms are defined under the topic 

"Explanation of Botanical Terms" (p. 9). 

KEY TO FAMILIES 

One character used in the key, presence or absence 

of stipules (one or two scales at the base 

of a leaf), may be difficult to determine because 

the stipules sometimes are minute or shed early. 

Stipules can be examined best in the bud and immature 

leaves near the stem tip. Upon shedding, 

tlie stipules leave a scar, ~vhich also may be minute. 

Vegetative characters, especially those of leaves, 

are placed first in the key. Some plant families of 

trees can be recognized or identified by certain 

combinations of vegetative characters alone. Homever, 

many kinds of tropical trees have foliage of 

similar appearance. 

For positive identification of many families, the 

reproductive characters of flowers, fruits, and 

seeds are needed. Even when these are lacking, 

old fruits may be located on dead branches or on 

the ground, and one tree may be found flowering 

out of season. Some stsrile specimens, those Iwking 

flowers or fruits, can be identified to fmily 

by the vegetative characters beginning the key. 

If not, thekey will eliminate many families. Then 

identification can be continued by consulting the 

text and drawings for the remaining families. 

The key to families is divided into four parts according 

to the arrangement or position of the 

leaves and the number of blades. Parts 1 and 2 

are for tks a; th altarnate leuves, that is, attached 

singly or 1 at u point on a twig (node). Parts 

3 and 4 are for trees with opposite leaves, that is, 

paired or 2 at a node, and also those with whorled 

leaves, 3 or mom at a node. Parts 1 and 3 are for 

trees with simple leaves, with 1 blade, and Parts 

2 and 4, trees with compound leaves, divided into 

3 or more blades (rarely only 2). 

The first step in using this key to families is to 

place the unknolvn tree or speciment in one of the 

four groups listed below. Then continue the key 

under the part or group on the page cited. 

Part 1. Leaves alternate, simple (p. 22). 

Part 2. Leaves alternate, compound (p. 25). 

Part 3. Leaves opposite, simple (p. 26). 

Part 4. Leaves opposite, compound (p. 27).

PART 1. LEAVES ALTERNATE, SIMPLE 

A. Leaves reduced to scales or none. 

B. Stems succulent, spiny-Cactus Family (Cactaceae), page 376. 

BB. Stcms nith slender twigs bearing minute scale leaves 1 at a node-Tamarisk Family (Tamaricaceae;* Tamah*). 

AA. Leaves larger, with flat green blade. 

C. Leaves parallel-veined, stems unbranched (very slender branches in bamboo). 

D. Leaves grasslike, divided into sheath and blade-Grass Family (Gramineae; Bambusa*), page 32. 

DD. Leaves palmlike, fan-shaped, very large, with long petiole-Palm Family (Palmae), page 34. 

CC. Leaves with veins forming network or inconspicuous; stems becoming branched. 

E. Sa or latex colored. 

F. tap whitish or milky. 

G. Stipules present (sometimes minute or shedding early, leaving scar); flowers unisexual. 

H. Female flowers with 2 or 1 style; nodes usually with rings-Mulbcrry Family (Moraceae), page 60. 

HH. Female flon.ers with 3 styles; nodes without rings-Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae), page 260. 

GG. Stipules absent. 

I. Leaves palmately lobed; flowers mostly unisexual-Papaya Family (Caricaceae;* Can'ca*), page 374. 

11. Leaves not lobed; flowers bisexual. 

J. Corolla of 3-5 separate petals-Cashew Family (Anacardiaceae), page 28. 

JJ. Corolla tubular, of united petals. 

K. Stamens opposite corolla lobes; fruit a berry, borne singly-Sapodilla Family (Sapotaceae), page 436. 

ICK. Stamens alternate with corolla lobes; fruits (drupes or follicles) usually paired, 2 from a flower- 

Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae), page 460. 

FF. Sa not whitish. 

L. lap orange-Anatto Family (Bixaceae;* Biza*), page 358. 

LL. Sap reddish-Coccoloba uuijera, page 82. 

EE Sa watery. 

M. $odes with rings. 

N. Stipules present. 

0. Stipules forming sheath around twig-Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae), page 76. 

00. Stipules enclosing bud, soon shedding. 

P. Leaves pinnate1 veined, elliptic-Magnolia Family (Magnoliaceae; Magnolia), page 94. 

PP. Leaves palmate6 veined, with 7-1 1 main veins from base, nearly round. 

Q. Leaves heart-shaped, not lobed-Mallow Family (Malvaceae; Hibiscus), page 326. 

QQ. Leaves very large, umbrellalike, with 7-1 1 rounded lobes-Cecropia, page 66. 

NN. Stipules absent-Piperaceae (Piper), page 50. 

MM. Nodes without rings. 

R. Leaves in 2 rows along twig. 

S. Leaves with swelling where petiole joins blade-Elaeocarpus Family (Elacocarpaceae; Sloanea), page 324. 

SS. Leaves without swelling on petiole. 

T. Sti ulea absent; flowers with many pistils often uniting to form 1 large many-seeded fruit-Annona 

family (Annonaceae), page 100. 

TT. Stipules present (sometimes minute or shedding early, leaving scar); flowers with 1 pistil. 

U. Flowers unisexual or mostly so, petals none. 

V. Leaves asymmetrical; styles 2; fruit 1-seeded-Elm Family (Uimaceae; CeltQ, Trema), page 56. 

VV. Leaves symmetrical; styles 3; fruit a few-seeded capsule-Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae), page 260. 

UU. Flon~ers bisexual; petals usually prcscnt. 

W. Petals 5, hood-sha ed (sometimes none); stamens 5, opposite petals and often within; fruit 

with 1-4 seeds-fhckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae), page 316. 

WW. Petals 3-7, broad (sometimes none); stamens 5 to many; fruit with few to many seeds. 

X. Style 1, ovary 1-celled-Flacourtia Family (Flacourtiaceae), page 364. 

XX. Styles 5, ovary 5-celled-Chocolate Family (Sterculiaceae), page 338. 

RR. Leaves in more than 2 rows along twig. 

Y. Leaves with minute gland dots. 

2. Leaves not aromatic. 

a. Gland dots both large and small-Myoporum Family (Myoporaceae; Bontia). 

aa. Gland dots uniformly small-Myrsine Family (Myrsinnccac), page 430. 

ZZ. Leaves aromatic, with distinctive odor and taste when crushed. 

b. Flowers with numerous stamens but no corolla; odor and taste of eucalyptus-Eucalyplus,* page 398. 

bb. Flowers with few stamens or if many, with petals. 

c. Stamens with anthers opening by pores with lids; leaves mostly elliptic with side veins long and 

curved; odor and taste of spices-Laurel Family (Lauraceae), page 110. 

cc. Stamens with anthers splitting open lcngthwiso. 

d. Leaves with odor and taste of citrus; stamens large, separate-Rue Family (Rutnceae), pa e 218. , 

dd. Leaves with peppery stinging taste; stamens minute, united into a tube-canella Arnily- 

(Canellaceae; ~anelja), page 362. 

YY. Loaves without minute gland dots. 

e. Stipules present (sometimes minute or shcdding carly, leaving scar). 

f. Stipule a pointed scale above petiole, persistent-Coca Family (Erythroxylaceae; Erythrozylon), 

page 210.

ff. Stipules outside petiole. 

g. Leaves lobed. 

h. Leaves ~\~i_th 2 rounded lobes at apex and 13 or 11 veins from heartshaped baseBauhinia, 

page 108. 

hh. Leaves dee ly almately lobed with mostly 5 long-pointed, finely toothed lobes-Cochlospermum 

Family &ocR~ospermaceae;* Cochloapermum*), page 360. 

gg. Leaves not lobed. 

i. Leaves long, very narrow, finely toothed-Willow Family (Salieaceae;* Salk*), pagc 54. 

ii. Leaves broad, mostly not toothed. 

j. Flowers minute. - 

k. Flowers unisexual. 

1. Leaves with stinging hairs-Nettle Family (Urtieaceae; Urera). 

11. Leaves without stinging hairs. 

m. Female flowers usually without petals, with 3 or 2 styles; fruit a drupe or capsule-- 

Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae), page 260. 

mm. Female florvers with usuall 4 petals, 4 stigmas; fruit a berry with 4 nutlcts-Holly 

Family (Aquifoliaceae; ~fm). 

kk. Flowers bisexual. - 

n. Ovary inferior-Ginseng Family (Araliaceae; Dendropanm) , page 426. 

nn. Ovarv su~erior-Bittersweet Familv ". [Celastraceae). 

j j. Flo~\-ers l&ger,-often showy. 

o. Fruits 2-5 from a flower, berrylike, black, borne on an enlarged red disk; flowers yellow- 

Ochna Family (Ochnaceae; Ourdea). 

00. Fruit 1 from a flower. 

p. Leaves pinnately veined; flowers with cuplike base bearing sepals, 5 petals, and mostly 

many separate stamens-Rose Family (Rosaceae), 

pp. Leaves palmately veined (pinnately veined in OuararrE%, :."ge 3361, flowers with parts 

inserted at base, stamens many, united into a column around pistil. 

q. Flowers with unbranched style-Bombax Famil (Bombacaceac), pagc 382. 

qq. Flowers with style having mostly 5 branches-ballow Family (Malvaceae), .- page - 326. 

ee. Stipules absent. 

r. Seed exposed on 2-lobed, red fleshy base; flowers and fruits not rodueed; leaves lance-shaped, very 

narrow, thick. without lateral veins-lie\\- Family (Taxaceae: Fodocarsual. . ..- Daae - 30. 

rr. Seeds endosed ih fruits maturine from flowers: lea

HH. Stamens inserted on corolla. 

J. Stamens 2-3 times as ma11 as corolla lobcs. 

K. Flo\r,crs unisesunl (Jooecious), styles 2-6; fruit fleshy, fe\v-seeded-Ebony Family 

. . 

(Ebenaceae; Diospyros). 

ICIC. Flowers biscxnnl, style 1; fruit dry, 1-seeded-Snowbell Family (Styracaceae; Stvrm). 

JJL Stnmens as many ns corolla lobes or fewer. 

L. Flonyers regular. 

hl. Style 1; fruit a berry-Nightshade Family (Solnnaceae), page 488. 

Mhf, Styles 2 or dividctl into 4 forks; fruit a drupe or 1-4 nutlets-Borage Family (Bora- 

ginaceae), pngc 466. 

LL. Flo~wre irregular, Inrge, wit11 long corolIa tube-Bignonia Family (Bignoniaceao; Enal-

PART 2. LEAVES ALTERNATE, COMPOUND 

A. Leaves pinnate, including bipinnatc and tripinnate. 

B. Leaves bipinnate or tripinnate. 

C. Leaves fernlike, coiled at tip when growing, *bearing spores in brown dots beneath; stems unbranched-Treefern 

Famlly (Cyatheaceae; Cyathea, Henitfelta), page 28. 

CC. Leaves not fernlike; stems becoming branched. 

D. Leaflets long- ointed, edges toothed-&felia,* page 246. 

DD. Leaflets rounzed or short-pointed at apex, ed es not toothed. 

E. Fruit a pod (legume) with beanlike seeds-Lgume Family (Leyminosae), pa 142. 

EE. Fruit a long %angled capsule with winged seeds-Hornradish-tree Family &loringacetie;* Moringa*), 

page 134. 

BB. Leaves oncipinnate. 

F. Leaflets parallel-veined, leaves palmlike, very large, with long petiole; stems unbranched-Palm Family (Palmae), 

page 34. 

FF. Leaflets with veins forming network or inconspicuous^ stems twcoming branched. 

G. Leaflets deeply divided into narrow segments, wkite hairy beneath; leaves fernlike, almost bipinnate- 

Protea Family (Proteaceac;* Grevilleo*) . 

GG. Leaflets not deeply divided or.lobed. 

H. Stipules usually present; fruit a pod (legume) with beanliko seeds-Legume Family (Loguminosac), page 142. 

HH. Stipules absent; fruits and seeds various. 

I. Sap whitish or of other color, resinous. 

J. Flowers with 1 very short style, stamens twice as many as petals-Bursera Family (Burseracoae), pa e 258. 

JJ. Flowen with 3-6 stigmas or styles, stamens as many or twice as many as petals-Cashew kmily 

(Anacardiaceae) , page 286. 

11. Sap watery. 

K. Leaflets with minute land dots, with citruslike odor when crushed-Rue Family (Rutaceae), page 220. 

KK. Leaflets without glan! dots. 

L. Leaves with 13-19 lanceolate asymmetrical leaflets, sharply toothed, long-pointed; fruit a walnut- 

Walnut Family (Juglandaceae, Juglone). 

LL. Leaves and fruit otherwise. 

M. Flom.ers with 2-5 pistils or 1 lobed pistil and with 2-5 styles or stigmas; bark and sap bitter-- 

Ailanthus Family (Simnroubaceae). .. * vnae - 236. 

MM. Flowers with 1 I>isiiland 1 style. 

N. Flowers mostly unisexual, stamens 5-10, scparatc-Soapberry Family (Sapindaceae), 

NN. Flowers bisexual, with mostly 8-10 stamens united into a tube (eepnrate in Cedre rge a)-Ma- 302. 

hogany F~imily (XIeliacene), page 241. 

AA. Leaves digitate (palmate) or with 3 leaflets (trifoliolate). 

0. Leaflets with minute gland dots, with citruslike odor when cnishcd-Rue Family (Rutaceae; Amyris, Pilocarpus), 

page 220. 

00. Leaflets without gland - dots. 

P. Iaaflets 3. 

Q. Stjpules usunlly present; fnrit a pod (legume) with beanlike seeds-Erythrina, page 190. 

QQ. St~pules absent; fruit a dnipe or winged key-Soapberry Family (Sapindaceae), page 302. 

PP. Leaflets 5 or more. 

R. Flowers minute: fruit a small, slightly fleshy berry, %seeded-Ginseng Family (Araliaeeae; Didymopanaz), 

- - 

page 426. . 

RR. Flowers la e, with 5 whitish petals; fruit a large oblong capsule with hairy seeds-Bombnx Fnmily (Bombacaceae; 

Feiba), page 332.

PART 3. LEAVES OPPOSITE, SIMPLE 

A. Leaves reduced to scales or needles, opposite or whorled. 

B. Leaves consistin of minute scales 6-8 or more in a whorl on wiry green jointed twigs-Casuarina Fnmily (Casuarinacene;* 

Easuarina*), page 48. 

BB. Leaves of minute scales 2-3 at a node or long needles 2-5 in a bundle, resinous-Pine Family (Pinace=;* Cupressus,* 

Pinus*). 

AA. Leaves larger, with flat green blade, opposite or sometimes whorled. 

C. Sa or latex colored. 

D. iaP whitish or milky. 

E. Leaves 3-8 at a node, with petiole longer than the small, nearly round blade-Euphorbiq, page 270. 

EE. Leaves 2-4 at a node, with short petiole and long- or short-pointed blade--Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae), 

nnae =--- 460. ---- 

DD. Sap not whitish. 

F. Sap yellow or ornnge (whitish in Calophy1lum)-Mangosteen Family (Guttiferae), pa# 348. 

FF. Sap of young leaves reddish-Tectona,* page 484. 

CC. . -. S~D .- weterv. r - ----- 

G. Sti ules iresent (sometimes minute or shedding early, leaving scar). 

H. fiodes with rings 

I. Stipules formini sheath arouqd twi or paired and persistent. 

J. Leaves toothed-Chloranthus fnmily (Chlornnthacene; Hedyosmum), page 52 

JJ. Leaves not toothed-h1 adder Family (Rubincone), pnge 504. 

TI. Stipules not forming sheath, single, shedding early-Mangrove Family (Rhizophoraceae; Cassipourea 

Rhizophora) , page 384. 

HH. Nodes without rings. 

K. Flowers small, inconspicuous. 

L. Petals 4 or 5, spreading; stamens alternate with petals-Bittersweet Family (Cclastraceae). 

LL. Petals 5 (sometimes none), hood-shaped; stamens opposite petals and often within-Buckthorn Family 

(Rhamnncene), page 316. 

KK. Flowers larger, often showy. tals fringed, with narrow stalk. 

M. Petals 5; fruit a drupe-&pighis Family (Malpi.hinceae), page 256. 

MM. Petals mostly 6, sometimes 4 or 5; fruit a capsule-loosestrife Family (Lythrnceae; Oinoria, Lagerstroemia*), 

pnge 382. 

GG. Sti ules absent. 

N. haves with 3-9 main veins from base, mostly elliplic, side veins curved, many smaller veins straight and, 

parallel-Melastome Family (Melastomatacene), page 418. 

NN. Leaves with 1 main vein (midrib). 

0. haves coarsely toothed; flowers in a head-Composite Family (Oompositae; Clibadium, Eupabrium), 

page 526. 

00. Leaves not toothed or finely toothed; flowers not in heads. 

P. Petioles with 2 glands near blade-Lagunculan'a, page 392. 

PP. Petioles without glands. 

Q. Ovary inferior. - 

R. Stamens 10, ~etals 5-Alouriri (hlelastomntnceae). 

RR. Stamens nuhiemus. 

S. Petals 4-5, rounded, mostly white; leaves with minute gland dots-Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae), 

page 396. 

SS. Petals 5-7, large, rounded, wrinkled, stalked, scarlet or white-Pomegranate Fnmily (Punicaceae;* 

Punica*). 

QQ. Ovary supcriof, stamens 10 or fewer. 

T. Corolla absent or of separate petals; flowers mostly unisexual. 

U. Stamens 2-10, separate or united'. 

V. Ovary exposed, 2-celled: corolla when nresent of 4 narrow white notals-Olive Familv -. (Oleacene), 

pdge 458. 

VV. Ovary enclosed in calyx tube, I-celled; corolla absentFour-o'clock Fnmily (Nyctaginaceae), 

pnge 88. 

UU. Stamens 8, in 2 sets of 4, inserted in calyx tub-Jlezereon Family (Thymeleacene; Daphnopsis), 

TT. ~orol:~:f~~ted petals; Rowers bisexunl. 

]Ir. Lenves with minute gland dots, aromatic, with citruslike odor when crushed-Ravenia (Rutaceae). 

W\V. Leaves without gland dots, not aromatic. 

X. Flowers re lar, xvith blobed spreading, waxy, orange or white corolla; fruit a berry-Th-&phrnsta 

Emily (Theophrnslaceae; Jaquinia). 

XX. Flowers irrcp;l~lnr. 

Y. Corolla tube short; fruit a drupe or 1-4 nutlets-Verbena Family (Verbenaceae), page 476. 

YY. Corolla tube long; fruit a cnps~~le with winged seeds or a berry-Bignonin Family (Bignoninceae), 

page 490.

PART 4. LEAVES OPPOSITE, COMPOUND 

A. Leaves pinnate (bipinnate in Jacaranda, page 492). 

B. Nodes with rings. 

C. Leaflets all paired (even pinnate), 4-10, oljlique or nsymmetrical, not toothed-Caltrop Family (Zygophyllaceae; 

Guaiacum) , 

Cc. Leaflets 01 odEPdd2 (odd pinnatE), symmetricnl or nearly 80, toothed. 

D. Leaf axis winged; lcaflcts rou~~ded at apcx-Cunonia Family (Cunoninceae; IVeinmpnnia), page 138. 

DD. Leaf asis not winged; leaflets pointed at apex. 

E. Leaflets 3-7, those at base deeply toothed and often divided into 3 lobes or leaflets-Honeysuckle Family 

(Caprifoliaceac; Sambucus) . 

EE. Leaflets finely toothed, not lobed. 

F. Leaflets 5-11> elliptic or ovate, hairless or nearly so-Bladdernut Family (Staphyleaceac; Turpinia), 

page 300. 

FF. Leaflets 11-15, lance-shaped, densely hairy-Brunellia Family (Brunelliaceae; Brunellia), page 136. 

BB. Nodes without rings. 

- G. Leaflets all paired (even pinnate), 2-8-Alatayba, pnge 304. 

GG. Leaflets of odd number (odd innate). 

H. Leaves with minute gland Jots, aromatic, wit11 citruslike odor when crushed-Atnyri*, page 216. 

HH. Leaves yithout gland dots, not aromatic-Bigtlonia Family (Bignoniaceae), page 490. 

AA. Leaves digitate (palmate) or with 3 leaflets (trifoliolate). 

I. Leaflets with minute land dots, aromatic, with citruslike odor when crushed-Amyris, page 216. 

11. Leaflets without dots, not aromatic. 

J. Flowers with short corolla tube; fruit a drupe-lrilez, pnge 480. 

JJ. Flowers with long corolla tube; fruit a long narrow capsule with many winged seeds-Tabebuia, page 496.

I 

TREE SPECIES, DESCRIPTIONS AND ILLUSTRATIONS 

TREEFERN FAMILY (CYATHEACEAE) 

1. Helecho gigante, tree-fern Cyathea arborea (L.) 3. E. Smith 

Tree-ferns, among the most beautiful plants of 

tropical mountains, are common in Puerto Rico. 

They are readily recognized as ferns by their lacelike 

fern leaves unrollin from a coil at the apex 

f 

and by the absence of owers, fruits, and seeds, 

while their slender unbranched trunks, leafy only 

at the summit, qualify them 21s trees. 

This species, the commonest of 5 or 6 kinds of 

trunked ferns reaching tree size in Puerto Rico, 

is characterized by : (1) slender unbranched 

brown trunk, scaly but spineless, usually with 

large oval leaf scars in the upper part and bearing 

at apex a crown of about 10-18 large spreading 

leaves; (2)' feathery (3-pinnate) leaves mostly 

6-10 feet long, the thin blade divided 3 times, 

endin in a lon pointed tip curved downward; 

and 6) small f romvn ball-like masses less than 

1/16 inch in diameter, borne on the underside of 

some leaves and producing numerous powdery 

spores. 

A very handsome small evergreen tree to 30 feet 

or more in lleiglit, with trunk 3-5 inches in diaine- 

ter and stately crown of graceful leaves, ovate in 

general outline. This species is spineless through- 

out, though certain kinds have spin trunks and 

leaf axes. There is no conspicuous iud, but usu- 

ally 14 youna unrolling leaves, actually alternate 

though crow&d. 

A mature leaf has a light brown axis scaly at 

base and many yellow-green secondary axes as 

much as 2 feet Ion each bearing feathery taper- 

P 

ing branches less t an 6 inches long. The numer- 

ous regularly arranged leaf segments are narrowly 

oblong, 3/g inch or less in length, rounded at apex, 

and with the minutely wavy-toothed edges turned 

under. The thin segments are yellow green on 

both sides. A dead leaf soon falls, leaving a large 

oval scar. 

Some older leaves bear minute brown balls or 

bends (sori) in 2 rows on under surface of segments, 

composed of numerolls spore cases (sporangia) 

\vhich shed powdery masses of microscopic 

spores. Under favorable conditions spores, like 

seeds, develop into new plants. 

Trunks of giant ferns differ from those of most 

trees in several ways. The smootl~isl~ surface is 

brown and scaly, often covered below with mnsses 

of smaller plants, such as mosses, livenvorts, and 

ferns, and with man small black roots projecting 

from the enlarged g ase. Not divided into bark 

28 

and mood, the trunk does not grow in diameter. 

There is a hard black outer layer 4/s inch or more 

in thickness and a central white soft pith containing 

a ring of brown bundles which serve for conduction 

and strength. 

Thouglx not solid woocl, the hard trunks are durable 

and resistant to decay and termites. Elsetvhere, 

trunks of tree-ferns have served as posts, 

fmme~vorks of houses, supports for vanilla plants 

ancl other orchids, and as wnter bars for drainage 

along mountain trails. The Carib Indians used 

the stems to preserve and carry fire, ~\-hich can be 

maintained for hours \\-itllout snroke or flames.. 

These lusuriant ferns seem to thrive following 

opening of the areas and construction of mountain 

roads, often growing abundantly along the cut 

roadside banks. One of the most easily accessible 

areas for viewing these odd plants is alollg the 

high-ay crossing the Luquillo Mountains. 

Though very ornamental in their native mountains, 

tree-ferns seldom are cultivated in Puerto 

Rico. It is reported that small plants can be transplanted 

successfully and garden-grown in moist 

regions, even at sea, level. 

In lower and upper mountain forests of Puerto 

Rico growing as a small understory tree and esa 

y common in open areas such as ravines, 

geci anks, l1 and roadsides. Also recorded from St. 

Thomas and Tortola, now probably rare on the 

latter and not observed there in 1954. 

Pml~rc FORES~.--Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Maricao, Toro Negro. 

RAXQE.-Greater Antilles, St. Thomas, Tortola, 

and Lesser Antilles in Saba, St. ICitts, Nevis, 

Guadeloupe, Dominica, Montserrat, Martinique, 

St. Lucia, St,. Vincent, and Grenada. Also in Trinidad. 

Recorded as rare in lowlands of eastern 

Mexico. 

OTI~ER COJLJfON NAJIEB.-~~~~C~O arbbreo, helecho, 

palmilla, camadn, cam~roncillo (Puerto 

Rico) ; camarrin, llelecllo lirbol, palmera sin espinas 

(Cuba) ; tree-fern (Englislx) . 

Several species of trunked ferns of this and related 

genera (Hemitelin and AZ-vophiln) are native 

in mountain forests of Puerto Ricq t.hough uncommon 

to mi= and usually not rencll~ng tree aze. A 

related large tree-fern wit11 small spines on the 

trunk is Cyathea hm'ttoniann Maxon. Another 

largm tree-fern with leaves only tm-ice pinnate (2pinnate) 

and with spines is C. pubescens Mett.

1. Helecho gigante, tree-fern Cyathea arbwea (L.) J. E. Smith 

Lower leaf surface (above) and upper leaf surface (below), natural site. 

29

2. Caobilla, podocarp 

The only native conifer of Puerto Rico is this 

medium-sized tree of mountain forests. It is dis- 

tinguished by the crmvded, very narrow, lance- 

shaped leaves 2%-6 inches long and less than 1/2 

inch wide, long-pointed, leathery, stiff, and with- 

out visible lateral veins. There are no true flowers 

or fruits, but the brown seeds inch long are 

borne singly and ex osed oq an enlarged 2-lobed 

re.d juicy base: Po f' len is produced on other or 

male trees (dloecious) in narrow yellon.-green 

cones 1-1s inches long and 1/4 inch in diameter. 

An evergreen tree becoming 30 feet high and 1 

foot or more in trunk diameter, with narrow to 

spreading crown. Bark is smoothis11 and scaly, 

becoming rough, fissured, shagw, and peeling off 

in brown or gray strips about inch thick. Inner 

bark is pink, tasteless or slightly bitter. Twigs are 

green and angled when young, becoming brown 

and round. 

The alternate leaves are narrowed and nearly 

sttllkless nt base, sometimes slightly curved or 

sickle-shaped, with edges straight and sliglitly 

turned under, the upper surface dark green and 

slightly shiny, and lower surface green to yellow 

green. 

Male or pollen-bearing cones are sin 1e at base 

of leaves, stalkless and cylindrical, ye1 f ow green, 

turning brown after pollen is shed. Seeds are nlso 

single at leaf bases, naked, small and gray at time 

of pollination, brown, elliptic, and pointed at ma- 

turit . Each seed is attached to a base (recep- 

tacley % inch long and broad, whicl1 is bright red 

but becoming dark red and which has n stallr 

1/4-3/8 inch long. Pollen and seeds are produced 

nearly through the year. 

YEW FAMILY (TAXACEAE) 

Podocarpus coriaceus L. C. Rich. 

The sapwood is whitish or inkish, and the 

heart\vood yello~ish or brown. 1 he wood is soft, 

moderatel heavy (s ecific gravity 0.7), and easily 

worked. f t is suitn 6 le for fine cabinetwork and 

furniture. However, in Puerto Rico the trees are 

usually small and of poor form and therefore yield 

little usable wood. 

In upper mountain forests of western Puerto 

Rico, almost co~lfined to the Maricao Forest but 

also st Cerro Gordo near San Germ&n. Also rare 

and local as a shrub 4 feet high in the dwarf forest 

east of El Yunque summit in the Luquillo Mountains, 

eastern Puerto Rico. 

PUB~~IC Fo~~s~s.-Luquillo, Maricao. 

RAN~E.-Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles on St. 

Ritts, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, 

and St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

OTIIER COJIB~ON NAJIES.---C~O~~ del pais (Puerto 

Rico) ; podocarp, podocarpus (English, commerce) 

; weedee (Nevis) ; wild pitch pine (Montserrat) 

; raisinier montagne (Dominica) ; wild 

pino (Trinidad) ; lnurier-rose (Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL s~~o~~~iu.-Nageia cwkzcea (L. C. 

Rich.) Icuntze. 

This coniferous or cone-bearing tree is classed 

~oith the gymnosperms, seed plants without true 

flowers or fruits but n.ith exposed or naked seeds. 

Conifers, or softwoods, include some of the world's 

most valufible timber trees, such as pines, Douglasfir, 

spruces, firs, and cedars. Puerto Rico has three 

other native species of gymnosperms, dwarf 

sllrubby cycads with enlarged underground stems 

and known as maran yey (genus Zanzia) .

2. Cnobllln, podocnrp Natural slze. Podocarpus coriaceus L. 0. Rlch. 

3 1

3. Bambii, common bamboo 

Bamboos, ginnt introduced evergreen grams 

with clustered, jointed hollow stems and feathery 

folinge, nre so different thnt they are not like1 to 

be confused with nny other trees. Perhaps t K ey 

are not trees nt nll, becnuse they grow in clum s of 

GRASS FAMILY (GRAMINEAE) 

1 

severnl stems, like mnny shrubs, and do not lave 

a single trunk from tlie bnse. Their Inrge treelike 

size and usefulness 'ustify their inclilsion here. 

The first and by 1 nr the corn~nonest of nbout 30 

exotic species of bnniboo, this species was introduced 

into Puerto Rico more thnn n century ?go 

and thus is so~iietimes incorrectly cnlled nn tlve 

bnmboo, It is difficult to distin llish between 

a 

strong. It completes its height growth from the 

clustered roots at base in about 3 months,. elongating 

very rapidly as much as 8 inches daily. Nor 

does it expand in diameter after it is first formed. 

A new growing shoot nt the outside of n clump 

is readil distinguished by tlie absence of branches 

K 

nnd by t e presence at ench node or joint of a large 

leaf, with triangular spreading blade. These 

clasping leaves along tlie main axis have a ve 

Inrge pa -green sheath 6-12 inches lone extena 

i" 

ing near y to the next node and benr~n%mmy 

brown needlelike hnirs thnt stick in the fles when 

touched, and a short triangular pointed yellowsome 

of the different species, as the owers needed green blnde 2-3 inches long and broad, also with a 

for positive ide~itificntion are rarely produced. few brown hnirs. Toward the apex of the elongat- 

However, as a gr011p bamboos are easily recog- ing stem the leaves are closer together and overnized 

by: (1) clusters of severnl to many slender, la ing. 

tnpering, slightly curved stems 2-4 inches in dinm- Fnmboos of this and other species have mnny 

eter, clnrlt green to ornnge, with swollen rings or uses besides ornament nnd pasture shade. Their 

joints 8-18 inches npcirt; (2) severnl very slender mnses of intert,wining roots and accumulations of 

branches spreading horizontally and regulnrl~ nt lenf litter check eroslon on roadside banks and 

the joints; and (3) pss leaves in 2 rows, cons~st- slopes. Poles of vnrious kinds for construction, 

ing of bnsnl sheath nround the sleritler twig nnd fences, fenceposts, ladders, tool hnndles, flngpoles, 

long-pointed blnde with mnny laternl veins parnl- nnd stakes are easily made from bamboo. The 

lel with midrib. 

stems will serve ns tompornry water plpes nfter 

In this species stems (culms) attnin 30-50 feet opening them on one slde at ench node and removin 

height nnd townrd the top diverge from the ing the pnrtitions. Short ieces are used as pots 

center. The smooth surfnce, green to dnrk green, for seedlings to be transp r anted later. Bamboo 

becomes ornnge or yellow in age. From a distnnce bonrds can be pre ared by slitting, splitting, and 

the plnnt nppenrs like n clump of ginnt ferns. spreading open t R e stems, and the split pieces 

The slender luternl brnnches, about 1/4 inch in di- n-oven into bnskets. Bamboo stems have been :tinmetel., 

are nearly horizontal and benr qirelilte Iized in the mnnufncture of various articles, inyellow-green 

twigs. Spines nre absent In this cluding furniture, Inttices, fishing rods, picture 

species. A horticultural variety has vnriegnted frames, Inmpshndes, mnts, nnd flower vases. Thls 

stenis mit,ll yellow rind green vertical stripes. is not the best bamboo bemuse the stems nre not 

The light green leaf sheaths nre 1%-2% inc1;hes resistant to damage by the bamboo powder-post 

long, closely fitting the twig. Blades ore 6-10 beetle (Dinodem minytw (F.)) as are those of 

inches long and 3/5-1:% inches wide, or as short as certain more recently introduced s ecles. Also 

2 inches at bnse of twig, with rough edges, long- very susceptible to attnck by dry-woo ?l termites. 

pointed at apex nnd short-pointed where narrowed With outer scales removed the tender growing 

nnd jointed Into sheath. The upper surfnce of the tips of bamboo shoots can be eaten by boiling 

flat thin blade is green and sllghtly shiny, the about one-half hour and changing the wnter once 

lower surfnce pale blue green. 

or twice to remove any bitter tnste. There is no 

The Inrge bamboos bloom only once. Genernlly, distinct flavor except for (I slight suggestion of 

after n long period of many years of growth, mnny young corn. Bnmboo shoots are prepnred in meat 

plnnts growing to ther flower simultnneously, stews, snlnds, nnd other ways. 

produce seeds, an f then die. Like most other This species is commonly planted throughout 

grasses, bnmboos hnve inconspicuous flowers Puert? R~co in moist soil, such as along streams and 

usually light bro\\.n or straw colored. The flower rondsides and for ornament because of the attmccluster 

(panicle) of this species is composed of tive feathe folia e. Also in St. Croix, St. 

slender brnilclies bearing brncted clusters of 3-15 Thomns, an 7 St. JO f m. Spreading from cultivaor 

more stnlkless spiltelets inch long, oblong tion but not naturalized as it does not grow ordiand 

pointed, each wit11 severnl to mnny flowers nnrily from seeds. Howevertin the Lesser Antilles 

(florets) about S/8 inch long. The flower llns natural vegetative propngatlon by breakmg and 

2 narrow scnles, G stamens with purple protnidi~ig rooting of the fragile short bmnches occurs. 

nntllers, and pistil, producing an oblong grnin. 

*Exotic, or Introduced. Speclm (or families) with scien- 

Not divided into bnrk nnd n-ood, the stem is hol- tific names followed by an asterisk are not native in Puerto 

low except nt the nodes, light~veigl;ht, hard, nnd Rieo and tho Virgin Islands.

3. Bambd, common bamboo Leafy twtg (right), natural size. Bambuea vulgarie Ichrad. 

33

RANGE.-Native of tropical Asia but widely cniinmb6, pito (Cuba) ; cnfiazn Pannma) ; complanted 

throughout the tro ics. West Indies from moll bnmboo, feathery bnmboo, nmboo United 

Cuba to Trinidad, and P mm Mexico to South Stntes, English); bnmbou (French) ; bnmboe 

America. Also grown in southern Floridn. (Dutch). 

OTHER C O ~ ~ O~aar~~.-bamb6n, N 

cniia India Another generic name formerly employed is 

(Puerto Rico) ; bnmb6 (Spanish) ; caiia brnvn, BurnJos. 

PALM FAMILY (PALMAE) 

Key to the 7 species Illustrated (Nos. 4-10) 

A. Leaves pinnate. 

B. Spines on trunk and leaf axes. 

C. Leaf segments long-pointed ; trunk stout+. Acrocomfa media. 

CC. Leaf segmenta ending in a broad jagged edge as if torn; trunk slender-5. Aiphartes acanthophylla. 

BB. Spines absent. 

D. Leaf sheaths spllttlng open. 

EL Leaves many, 12-20 feet long; fruit the familiar, large, edible coconnt43. Cocoa nuciferab. 

EE. Leaves serernl, 5-7 feet long; fruita about % inch in diameter. 

F. Leaf segments epreading flat along axis and not overlapping-7. Euterpe globoea. 

FF. Leaf segments erect and spreading in 2 rows on each side of axle--8. Gauesla attenuata. 

DD. Leaf sheaths forming long column at apex of trunk--0. Rouetottea borittquena. 

M. Leaves fan-shaped-10. Sabal cauefarum. 

4. Corozo, prickly palm, Puerto Rico acrocomia Acrocomia media 0. F. Cook 

Corozol a robust pnlm nnd 1 of the 2 Puerto 

Ricnn spiny species, is cllnrncterized by: (1) the 

stouit straight trunk 8-12 inches in diameter at 

base but slightly enlnrged nnd bulging nbove, bearing 

rings of long slender black spines; (2) lon 

pinnnte leaves 10-13 feet long with spiny nxis nnf 

numerous tilted narrow long-pointed leaflets or 

segments as much ns 2 feet long and only 

inch wide; (3) flower clusters 3-5 feet long, with 

spiny stalk and branches bearing small pale yellow 

stalkless flowers, many crowded male flowers 

inch long, and in lower part of brnnches n few 

femnle flowers 3/g inch long; nnd (4) yellow 

rounded dry fruits nbout 1% inches in dinmeter, 

containing 1 large edible seed. 

Easily distinguished from the other nntive 

robust species. pnlmn real (Roy8tonea borinquena 

0. F. Cook), by the spiny trunk, the much 

rounder, denser, nnd more compact crown composed 

of mnny more leaves, the absence of t.he 

long columnar pen lenf sheaths, and the absence 

of the unopened rerticnl leaf in the top. 

A medium-sized robust. palm becomin 7.40 feet 

tnll. The stout unbrnncl~ed tnlnk is cy lildricnl 

or slightly enlnrged nbove the bnse to ns much ns 

20 inches in diameter, tapering above and below. 

The grny trunk hns n smooth surfnco with fnint 

horizontal rings of lenf scnss nbout 2-3 inches 

npnrt but is very spiny, especinlly in the upper 

art, often shedding some spines below. These 

Elnck spines nre 2-3 inches long, sometimes ns 

much as 46 inches. At the npex the erergreen 

crown is composed of as mtuny as 40 alternnte 

lenves, erect, sprending, and drooping. 

The leaf sepents nre not crowded nnd nrise 

from the axis tilted or nt an nngle, rntlier than flnt, 

nnd curve down\vard. They nre lenthery, parnllelveined, 

and shiny nbove nnd dull blue green beneath. 

Dead leaves hang down nnd fnll off 

smoothly. 

The lnrge drooping flower clusters (panicles) 

are subtended by 2 hairy, spiny sheaths (spathes) 

the outer 45 feet long, long-pointedl curved, nnd 

shnding the nxis of flowers, and the inner up to 2 

feet long. Male and femnle flowers are produced 

on the snme branch (monoecious). Branches 4-8 

inches long bear crowded mnle flowers, which have 

3 small ovate sepals, a 3-lobed corolla, 6 stamens 

nt top of corolla tube, and rudimentary pistil. 

Female flowers are scattered, 2-5 on lower part of 

a brnnch, rounded, with 3 small scnlelike sepals, 

3 overlapping petals, and pistil with 3-celled 

ovary and 3 styles. 

The rounded fruit, which chnnges in color from 

green to yellow at maturity, hns a minute point 

at npex, a firmly fibrous husk, and a bony inner 

layer with 3 pores near middle. The single seed 

1 inch long has whitish oily contents and is edible. 

Probably flowering and fruiting nearly through 

the yenr. 

The very hnrd wood from the outer part of the 

trunk has attractive black markings and has been 

used for flooring or cut into walkin sticks. The 

hnrd-shelled seeds nre edible, with ff avor suggesting 

coconuts, and yield an oil. They are sometimes 

cnrved into rings. The seed oil of a related 

species is extrncted commercially. Though this 

pnlm hns been su mested as an ornamental, the 

mnny spines are o fP jectionnble. 

Found in fields and woodlands in the coastal 

forest remions and in the moist limestone region. 

Also in gt. Thomas. Introduced in St. Croir. 

Prm~rc FORESTS.-Cnmbnlnche, Cnrite, Luquillo, 

Mnricno, Rlo Abnjo, SusGn. 

RANGE.-Restricted to Puerto Rico and St. 

Tllomns. Introduced in St. Croix. 

0 T 13 E R coxxos NAB~ES.-pnlmn de corozo 

(Puerto Rico) ; Puerto Rico ncrocomia (English). 

Formerly included in Acrocornia acuZeata 

(T .) T,odd., n related species of the Lesser 

iit::;\ns from Dominica nnd Mnrtinque to 

Grenada. 

34 

b

:ozo, prickly palm, Purrto Rico acrocnlllin 

Fruits (lower left) and male flowers (lower right), natural size. 

Acrocomia media 0. F. Cook 

35


5. Palma de coyor Aiphanes acanthophylla (Mart.) Burret 

This slender palm, 1 of the2 native spiny species, 

is recognized by: (1) numerous slender flattened 

black spines or prickles M-2% inches long on the 

slender trunk, the leaf bases and axis and infrequently 

the under side of blades, and on the axes 

of flower clusters; (2) about 10-12 erect to spreading 

innate leaves 10-12 feet long and 8 feet across, 

the I' enflets or segments endin in a ja ged edge as 

F 4 

if torn ; (3) many small stalk ess pale ight yellow 

flowers, male and female, crowded on slender 

drooping branches of a very spiny curved axis 

34% feet long; and (4) very numerous bright red, 

cherrylike, fleshy fruits s-B/s inch in diameter. 

A small to medium-sized palm to 40 feet high, 

evergreen, with slender, strnigl~t, erect, unbranched 

trunk 4-8 inches in diameter, not tap~ring. 

Only sli htly enlarged at the base, wlilch 

bears n mass o f spiny prop roots. The light brown 

trunk hns indistinct rlnp of old leaf scars 3 inches 

or less apart and bears rings of many flattened 

black spines 1-2 inches Ion , pointed down\vard a 

little. Spines on old trun %, often are fewer or 

nearly absent. Inside the hard smooth surface 

of tile trunk is a ve thin brown layer; next, a 

a 

thin layer of whitish bers, then a very hard blnck 

n*oody ring % inch or more in width, nnd in the 

center the soft whitish pith with scattered woody 

fibers. 

Several alternate wry large coarse leaves nre nt- 

tnched 3 inches or less apart in a terminal cluster 

at apex of trunk. The stout spiny petiole about 

4 feet long, gray to green, is grooved above nnd 

enlarged at base, bein@ attached more than hnlf- 

way around the trunk, 6u t has no encircling shenth. 

The blade, about 7-8 feet long, is composed of 

many narrow leaflets or segments 22% feet Ion 

and 21h-34/2 inch@ wide, narrowest at base an 5 

widest at end. These nlternnte segments spread 

nearly horizontally on both sides of the keeled 

green axis. Toward apex the sepents become 

shorter and in about the Inst 1 foot of blade are in 

1 piece not split apart. They are leathery, pnial- 

lel-veined, p en and slightly shiny on upper sur- 

face and dull light p en beneath. Slender flat- 

bned black spines about 1 inch long are scattered 

along lower part of leaf axis, and a few are borne 

on under side of segments. Old dead leaves hang 

down vertically until they separate smoothly from 

the trunk. 

Curved drooping flower clusters (pnnicles) are 

34% feet long, borne singly inside bnse of old 

laves. The densely spiny axis has 2 brownish 

s iny sheaths (spathes), the short outer one less 

t r Ian 1 foot long and 2-pointed, and the inner one 

long and narrow and very spiny, about as long as 

the axis and 21/ inches wide. Many very slender 

droopin brnnctes about 9 inches long, light yellow 

an d spineless, bear very numerous stnlkless 

light yellow or whitish male and female flowers 

(monoecious) ; the female flowers scattered along 

lower part of branch, 1 below 2 male flowers. 

Male flowers inch across consist of 8 minute 

pointed sepals, 3 widely spreading po~nted light 

yellow petals more thnn 4/s inch long, G widely 

spreading light yellow stamens nearly as long as 

, and rudimentary ristil. Female flowers 

rtals ave 3 minute sepals, coro la with 3 pointed light 

yellow lobes y8 inch long, and whitish pistil less 

than l/e inch long with 3-celled ovary and pointed 

style. 

Fruits are produced in great quantities, several 

on the lower part of each branch of the axis. They 

are slightly broader than Ion , whitish green when 

immature, turning to shiny f right red. The thin 

orange flesh is mealy and tasteless. The single 

brown seed is rounded, about xg inch in diameter, 

its surface much pitted. Inside the hard sliell is a 

white edible oily nutment, suggesting coconut in 

taste though much smaller. Flowering and fruiting 

probably tlirough the year. 

Found in the moist limestone forests of Puerto 


Puir~rc mrc~e~s.-Cnmbalache, Rio Abajo. 

R~No~.-Known only from Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COJIBION NAYFS.--coyore, co ure, coyorn 

(Puerto Rico) ; coyure ruffle-palm ( d' nglish). 

BOT~\NICAL SYNONY~L.-B~C~T~~ ncanthphylla 

Mart.

ACphanes acanthophycra (Mart.) Burret 

Flowers (lower left) and fruits (lower rtght), natural size. 

37

PALM FAMIL 

6, Palma de coco, coconut Cocos nucifera L.* 

Coconut, the graceful palm lining tropical 

shores and widely planted for fruit and ornament, 

is so well known that it has become a symbol of the 

tropics. Descriptive features are : (1) bhe slender 

often leaning trunk, enlarged at base, ringed above 

and 8-12 inches in diameter; (2) many innate 

leaves 12-20 feet long with basal sheath o coarse 

brown fibers, long petiole, and numerous very narrow 

shiny yellow-green segments spreading qu- larly in 1 plane on both sides of axls; (3) numerous 

whitish or pale yellow male and female flowers 

in branched flower clusters at leaf bases; and 

(4) fruit the familiar coconut, egg-shaped or 

elliptic, consisting of a light brown fibrous husk 

8-12 inches long, a hard shell, and 1 very large 

hollow seed with whitish, oily, edible flesh. 

Medium-sized palm, usually 30-60 feet high, 

sometimes taller. The slender trunk is enlarged 

to 16-20 inches in diameter at base, often slightly 

inclined there, and may be leaning as a result of 

the constant coastal breeze or after partial uprooting 

by a hurricane. The gray or brown trunk is 

slightly cracked. At apex is the relatively broad 

evergreen crown of alternate, erect, spreading, and 

drooping 1ea.v~. 

The basal sheath is nearly 2 feet high on sides of 

petiole, surrounds trhe axis, and breaks as the 

younger leaves expand. The stout yellowish 

slightly concave petlole is 3-5 feet long, and the 

blade 9-15 feet long and'3-5 feet wide. The linear 

leaflets or segments are 223% feet long and 2 

inches wide, shorter toward apex, long-pointed, 

leathery, parallel-veined, shiny yellow pen 

above, and dull light mean beneath. The lowest, 

dead leaves hang down against the trunk, eventually 

shedding and forming a smooth ring scar. 

Flower clusters (panicles) 34 feet long rise 

from 2 long, narrow, long-pointed sheaths 

(spathes), the inner about 4 feet lon and bear 

many slightly fragrant stalkless owers. A 

branch about 1 foot long has numerous small male 

flowers and near the base 1 much larger female 

flower, which opens later (monoecious) . Male 

flowers %-% inch long and broad have 3 small, 

pointed, whitish sepals 4/8 inch long, 3 oblong 

petals nearly 1/2 inch long, 6 widely spreading sta- 

mens, and sterile pistil with 3 styles. Female 

flowers about 1% inch long and broad, rounded or 

3-angled, have 2 broad scales at base, 3 broad 

round sepals s/,-1 inch long, 3 rounded whitish or 

light yellow rounded petals 1-1% inches long, and 

light green pistil 1% inches long with 3-celled 

ovary and 3 minute stigmas. 

The coconut has a bluntly 3-angled husk 3/4-1% 

inches thick, which does not split open. The ellip- 

tic or nearly round inner brown fruit with 3 round 

spots near one end is essentially a seed covered 

with the hairy hard outer shell. Inside is a 

P 

P 

slightly sweet oily layer of stored food % inch 

thick and a large central cavity containing a 

watery or milky liquid. This is one of the largest 

seeds known, surpassed only by the 1-seeded 

2-lobed fruit wei hing up to 50 pounds of the 

f 

double-coconut ( odoicea maldivica) , a tall fan 

palm of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Flower- 

In and fruiting continuously through the year. 

%anking among the 10 most useful tree species 

to mankind in the world, coconut is the most important 

of cultivated palms. The fruits are eaten 

raw, prepared into candies, or shredded with pastries. 

When immature, the soft jellylike flesh can 

be eaten with a s oon. The watery l~quid of green 

T 

fruits and the ml ky juice of mature ones are pure, 

nutritious, cool, and refreshing drinks. Icnown 

as cocos de agua, these green fruits are sold pn 

city streets. Under the name copra the drled 

white oily part of ripe fruits is marketed in large 

quantities for the manufacture of soaps and coco- 

nut oil, the latter for preparing margarine and 

other foods and for cooking. Classed also as a 

honey plant. The sugary sap collected from cut 

unopened flower clusters is a fresh beverage 

known as toddy and a source of alcohol. 

The trunks serve for posts. Walking sticks 

hnve been made from the outer layer or ring of 

the trunk. The inner part is a very soft, light 

brown pith with scattered reddish-brown bundles. 

The leaves furnish tha.tch for roofs and shelters 

nnd have been mnde into lattice screens and fences. 

Various articles, such as novelties, souvenirs, cups, 

and flower pots. are mnde from the husks and 

shells. The shells hnve also been used for kitchen 

implements and for high-grade charcoal. In 

other regions of the world different parts of the 

plant serve many purposes. Coconut fibex. or 

coir, is made into mats, ropes, brooms, and 

brushes. 

Certainly coconuts are among the most impor- 

tant trees of Puerto Rico, with plantations or 

orchards totaling nearly 10,000 acres, mostly along 

the sandy shores of the island and especially on 

the northern coast. The trees thrive also in the 

interior where soil moisture is ample and we 

hardy in dry climates if irrigated. In plantings 

for ornament the falling coconuts may be danger- 

ous. 

Commonly growing wild along sandy shores 

and planted ns a fruit, ornamental, and shade tree 

near houses and along streets. Also in Mona, St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tartola. 

RANGE.-Native land unknown but thought to 

be in Malayan or Indo-Pacific region. Now thor- 

oughly naturalized on tropical shores of the world. 

Naturalized in southern Florida including Florida 

Keys, through West Indies, and from Mexico to 

South America.

0. Palma do cnco, coconut 

681-021 0--64---4 

Male flowers and one female flower (lower left), two-thirds natural size.

This palm has been cultivated so long, so widely mentioned the milk of coconut as "cosmetic for the 

disseminated by mankind, and so well naturalized ladies." In some of the Antilles, however, the 

on tropical shores that its oryin is lost in an- coconut npparently was not known until the foltiquity. 

One belief, now discredited, was that its loivin century. As enrly as 1526, Oviedo menhome 

was American. Columbus did not find it tionecf large stands, apparently native, on the 

and most early Spanish writers in the New world Pacific coast at Burica Point, Costa Rica and 

did not mention it. Nevartheless, within a cen- Panama. 

tury after Columbus this valuable palm arrived in OTHER CO>I~IOS 

Puerto Rico. Joseph de Acosta (1539-1600), a Rico) ; palma de coco, 

Jesuit missionary in Peru from 1571 to 1587, in cocotero, coco de 

- 

his book "Natural History of the Indies," pub- nut-palm (United 

lished in 1590 after his return to Spain, stated that coco, cocotier (French) ; coco, corns, cocospalm, 

lie saw n coconut p\oing in Puerto Rico. An- klapperboom (Dutch West Indies) ; coco da 

other Spanish traveler in Puerto Rim in 1599 Bah~a, coqueiro de Bahia, coco da India (Brazil). 


?leSt6eq MO-~"'% 

7. Palma de sierra, sierra palm Gaertn. 

Palma de sierra, as its name indicates, is the ecious). Blnle flowers have 3 overlapping broad 

pretty palm which forms the palm forests along sepals, 3 oblong whito petals about 9G6 inch long 

uplancl streams on steep slopes and ridges of the meeting at edges in bud, 6 stnmens yellowish 

h~glier peaks of Puerto Rico. It is characterized anthers, and n rudimentary pistil. Female flowers 

by: (I) the cylindrical slender erect trunk 4-8 have 3 overlapping blunt sepals, 3 overlapping 

inches in diameter; (2) several pinnate leaves with rounded whito petals about s,'16 inch long, and an 

sheaths about 1% feet long at base and blades oblong ovary. 

about 6 feet long and 3-5 feet ncross with long The fruit has n thin flesh and 1 brown rounded 

narrow segments inserted horizontally on both seed 6/le inch long. Sepals and petnls remain atsides 

of axis and not overlapping; (3) numerous tached after fruits fall. In flower and fruit nearly 

small white male and female flowers in a once- all the year. 

branched, drooping, white stalked cluster 3 feet or In the higher mountains, where this is the only 

less in 1engt11, attached below the leaves; and (4) native palm, the lenres or the leaf sheaths, called 

round shiny black fruits % inch in diameter and ynguas, are used for thatch. The outer stemwood 

slightly fleshy. Prop roots covered with tubercles is sometimes lie\rn into nnrrow boards for sheathoften 

are present at bnse. 

ing of rum1 buildings. A ortion of the bud of 

Small to medium-sized palm to 50 feet tall with this palm, known as palmi I' lo, can be eaten as a 

slender trunk of uniform diameter and thin nar- salad. However, removal of the bud kills the tree. 

row evergreen crown of several alternate spread- The edible part consists of the young inner leaf 

ing lenves. The smooth gray or light brown trunk sheaths which form a white cylinder 2-3 feet long 

hns horizontal rings. 

and .3-4 inches in diameter. These white leaf 

The green leaf sheaths clasp tlie trunk nt bnse. bases, though tender, are almost tasteless as a salad 

The blade has numerous narrow linear leaflets or unless seasoned. Except as a novelty for tourists, 

segments 20-36 inches long and 1%-2 inches wide, tlie pnlm bud is doubtfr~lly preferable to cabbage. 

long-pointed, leathery, parallel-veined, green to Tho fruits are nn important food for the Puerto 

light green on both sides, spreading horizontally Ricnn parrot. 

nnd at equal distances on both sides of axis. At In general these palms of the steep mountain 

npex the segments are shortened. A few dead 

lenves may hang down for a time before shedding 

slopes are beneficial in maintaining protective 

nnd form~ng n smooth ring scar around the trunk. 

cover for tho watershed and in preventing soil 

One to 4 new lenves are produced per year. erosion. This species is now so little utilized, and 

Tho nnrrow flotver clr~ster (panicle) nboat 3 feet its growth rnte so slow (less than 12 inches in 

long is borne below tho lenves. By the time fruits height per year), that it is being gradually rematl~re 

the oldest leaves nbove have shed, and the placed by other more useful species in the public 

nttnchment of fruit cluster is 6 inches or more forests. It may be suitable for ornamental 

below bnse of lo\~est leaf sheath. There are 2 planting. 

spindle-shaped long-pointed sheath3 (spathes), Common to abundant nnd forming pure forests 

the ol~ter short and the inner long. The white in the upper mountnin forest region of Puerto 

l)rt~nches of the nsis nre mostly less than 1 foot Rico, descending in mvines into the lower mounlong, 

sprending out nt right angles nnd afterwards tain forests to about 1,500 feet. 

nearly pnrnllel with axis. The small white stalk- PUBLIC FORFSTS.-Carite, Guilarte, T,uquillo, 

less flowers nre mnle and female together (mono- hlaricno, Rio Abnjo, Toro Nep.

7. Palma de sierra, sierra palt~r 

Fruits (lower right), natural size. 

Euterpe globosa Gaertn. 

41

B~UNICIPALI~TES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMJION.- manacln (Dominican Republic) ; palmn boba, 

1, 5, 10 13 17, 10,22,27,35, 36,45, 52, 53, 54,55, p:llma jastn (Cnbn) ; palmiste ?t cha elet, macou- 

62, 64, f 0, f 3. touc:? (Haiti) ; palaliste-niontngne P Guadeloupe, 

R.t~a~.-Cubn, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Lesser Dominica) ; pal~niste franc, cl~ou-palmiste, palm- 

Antilles from Saba to Grenada, and Toba o. isto bla~~c (Gundeloupe) ; mountain-palm (Lesser 

Onr~rt coararox NAW.-manacla, pa ma do Antilles). 

f 


8. Palma de lluvia Gaussia attenuata (0. F. Cook) Beccari 

A grncefr~l tall palm of rugged summits of lime- shiny OII bot 11 sides, uttacl~cd obliquely to the green 

stone hills, distinguished by : (1) the slencler, :~sis. After turning brown :tnd shedding the leafsliglltly 

tapering, smooth brow11 tr~~nk wit11 1nnli-y lets, the nsis wit11 leaf bnse fttlls, making n smooth 

prop roots at base; (2) 5-7 erect to spreading pin- scar. 

nate leaves 4-0 feet long, with green shentli 8-12 hln~iy s~l~nll flo\vers are borne stt~lkless and scatinches 

long around trunk, and blade 2-21/2 feet terrd :dong sle~~tler drooping green branches about 

across tl~e Inany ~larrow long-pointed leaflets, G i~lches lo~ig of the curvet1 and drooping brtunchecl 

which de art from the keeled axis at a small angle, cluster ( ~nnicle) rlrising insido sheath of older 

appnrent F y in 2 rows on each side, erect :~ncl lenves. dcniille flowers tibout 3'lo inch across hare 

spreading; (3) srnnll stalkless orange and green 3 ~ninnte broad septlls, 3 flesliy orange spreading 

male nr~d fe~nnle flowers scattered :dong slender petals more tl~rtr~ '/lo inch long, 6 minute whitisli 

branches of a curved axis about 3 feet long: and sterile stameas (stn~nia~les), tlnd pistil composed 

(4) numerous bright red or orange-red fleshy of preen 3-nngled 3-celled ovtiry more than M6 

fruits almost 5/s inch long, nearly round or sliglltly inc.11 long rind broad, \\.it11 8 stigmas at apex. Male 

pear-sl~nped. 

flowers al:~turing earlier in tlie same flower clus- 

A slender palm to 40 feet in height, sometimes ter (n~onoecious) are slightly larger, with 3 sepals, 

taller, tvith tapering unbrnncl~ed trunk often S 1wt:lls less thnn 2 nim. long, 6 stamens nearly 2 

slightly leaning, G-8 inches i11 diameter at base and nlln. long, nntl rudimentnry pistil. 

only 3 inches in ditin~eter at apes, evergreen. At Fruits chnn e color from green to yellow, 

the base of the trunk up to a height of 2 feet nre orange, and rec f at maturity. The single rounded 

light bro11-11 prop roots nbout 1% inclies in diame- brown seed is i~icli or less in length. Flowering 

ter, beltring numerous short spinelike projections. :tnd fruit ing probnbly tl~rougli tlie year, at least 

Tlie smooth brown trunk is ringed, with faint leaf in 1)otli June nnd I>ccember. 

scars 3 inches or less apart. It is relatively soft, Perhaps of vtllue :IS 1111 ornamental. 

co~nposecl of n very thin brown outer layer, a thiii This species is co1111no11 on the rocky sumtnits 

fibrous \vliitid~ layer \vhicli is sliglitly bitter, nn :1nc1 clilt's of the ~noist limestone region and in the 

ortuige-brown \\.oody ring nbout i1ic11 wide, and l~ills between San Germin tlnd Lajas. As these 

soft whitish pit11 11.i tli scattered woody strands. p:~lms t11.e tnller tllitii 0t11er trees of the jagged liill- 

Tlie nttlier fern large coarse leaves are alternate, tops, clusters of pn11n lettves often rise above the 

tl~eir bases overlnppi~ig at intervals of 3 inclies or 

less in a rial-rom termi~~ttl cluster at stem apex. At 

forest canopy, conspicuous ng~inst the sky. From 

:t 

btlse of leaf are tl~o green sl~esth opened on 1 side 

t1ist:ince tlie leti\~es Itppenr suspended in midair, 

and a c~lrved stout grooved pet~ole 1% feet or less since the sle~~der trunk is scarcely visible. 

Pmttrc 1~0~~8~.-Cttnlbal~lle. 

Rn~a~.-Eaden~ic to Puerto Rico. 

OTI~I.:I~ ('o~~oN x.\~c):.-P~~erto Rico llumep:dm 

(Englisl~) 

in length. Tho crowded overlnpping, narrow 

leaflets or segments i11-e &out 12-90 inches long 

and l-lyl inches wide, becoming shorter ton~ard 

apex, lenthery, parallel-veined, green, and slightly 

.

8. Palma de lluvia 

Un~reeia 

atto~ttata (0. F. Cook) Beccnri 

Female flowers (left) and fruits (right), two-thirds natural size. 

43


9. Palma real, royalpalm, Puerto Rico royalpalm Rogstonea borinquena 0. F. Cook 

Puerto Rico royalpalm or palma real is one of tubular corolla l/g inch long with 3 pointed lobes 

Puerto Rico's most characteristic trees, being a and bearing 6 short sterile stamens (staminodes) 

conspicuous feature of the countrysides and land- inside; and pistil of ellom-Peen rounded ovary 

scapes and equally at home along city streets. with 3 short styles anc f stigmas on 1 side. 

Icnown to all, it is characterized by : (1) the stout The numerous fruits contain 1 light brown elliperect 

trunk 1-2 feet in diameter, sliglltly enlarged tic seed 5/16 inch long, hard but oily. Flowering 

and bulging at some distance above the bnse; (2) and fruiting erhaps through the year. 

a light green narrow column of leaf shenths.abont Palma ren! is n. stately ornamental widely 

4 feet high at apex of trunk; (3) large pinnate planted to benutify st,reets, parks, and gardens 

lenves with short petiole nbove sheath and blade throughout Puerto Rico. Boards hewn from the 

8-12 feet lon composed of many narrow paired harder outer part of the trunks are widely used 

segments, ancfthe unfolded youngest leaf project- for siding and flooring in rural construction. 

ing as a narrow spire above the others; (4) small Ho~vever, they are very susceptible to attack by 

whitish flowers, male and female, borne in a spread- dry-~~ood termites. The leaves are also used freing 

to droopin twice-branched cluster 3-5 feet quently in construction, less now t11an formerly. 

long below the y eaves; and (5) light brown, ellip- Fred1 lenves are widely displayed locally for retic, 

slightly fleshy fruits about 1/2 inch long. ligio~~s services on Palill Sunday. The dry blades 

This large robust palm becomes 30-60 feet tall. serve as t11:ltch for roofs of barns and houses, and 

The gray smoothish trunk usually has a broad the broad sheaths, known as ~ g y s are , spread 

base, then is slightly narrowed and swollen for o ~ flat t to make sides of buil ings The twisted 

some distance above, and in tall specimens nar- young leaf segments are woven into chair seats 

rowed again toward the apex. There are faint :uld backs. An important honey plant, the flowers 

rings of leaf scars at nodes. The evergreen crown t~tt.r:lct nurnerous bees. The fruits are a good food 

is com osed of 15 or fewer long, gracefully curved, for hogs. 

sprea B ing alternate leaves. The unfolded young- P:llma real is common in forests! pastures, and 

est leaf us~~all leans slightly toward the east, the river banlrs almost throughout the island from the 

direction of t r le prevailing wind, and thus serves met north flank of El Yunque to the coastal manto 

indicate the directions. 

groves and the dry valleys near Gulinica. It is 

The leaf blade has numerous leaflets or segments fo~md in a11 but the u per mountains and the dry 

20-36 inches lon and only 3/4-1% inches wide, limestone regions. 8hese ptdms probably have 

long- ointed, lent 

B 

f lery, parallel-reined, green, in- become more conlmon follominf settlenlent, 

serte on both sides of axis obliquely by 2's and in spreading in clearings,. pastures, o d fields, and 

2 ronTs on each side, and usually curving downward fence ro\~-s. Also in Vieques and St. Croix. 

rather than flat. Upon dying, the oldest leaf falls PU~LIC ~0~~3~a.-Aguirre, Cambalache, Carite, 

off promptly, separating smoothly from the trunk Gu:ajntaca, Gudnica, Luquillo, 31arica0, San Juan, 

at bnse of sheath. 

Susiia, Vega. 

The flower cluster panicle) arises below the leaf RANGE.-Restricted to Puerto Rico, Vieques, 

sheaths from a very \ arge narrow bud formed by and St. Croix. Introduced at Mona. 

a dark brown boat-shaped sheath (spathe) 3-5 OTHER COJI3ION SAJZES.-P~~~B d!.? yaflas, 

feet long. Lateral branches 6-12 inches long from pnlina de costa (Puerto Rico) ; mountain-cabbage 

main branches 3 feet or more in length bear many (St. Crois) ; Puerto Rico royalpalm, royalpalm 

stalkless flowers, male flowers opening and falling (Englisll) . 

first, and toward base the female flower buds, gen- The generic name honors General Roy Stone 

erally 1 between 2 male flowers (monoecio~~s). (1835-l905), United States Army Engineer, who 

Male flowers more than 1/4 inch high and nearly 1/2 rende~*ecl outstanding service to Puerto Rico at. 

inch across consist of 3 minute rounded whitish the time of the Spanish-American War. Cuban 

sepals less than x6 inch long, 3 blunt,-pointed roy:tlpalm (Roystonea regiu (H. B. IC.) 0. I?. 

whitish petals inch long, 6-9 spreading stamens Cook*), a related species from Cuba with tall 

with purple nnthers, and ruclimentary pistil. The trunk not swollen, has been planted also in Puerto 

smaller female flo\vers l/g inch long and broad Riro :tncl the Virgin Islands and may .have eshare 

3 broad wllitish sepals less than '/16 inch long; caped locally.

9. Palma real, royalpalm, Puerto Rico royalpalm 

Roystor~ea borinquena 0. F. Cook 

Fruits (lower left) and male and female flowers (lower right), two-thrrds natural size. 

45

10. Palma de sombrero, Puerto Rico palmetto 

PALM FAMII .Y (PALMAE) 

Sabal causiarum (0. F. Cook) Beccari 

Pnlma do sombrero is tlie only wild Puerto (spnthes) 1%-21/2 il~clles long, each bcn ring a small 

Rictin palm with both fan-slinped leares nncl a liiternl cluster (panicle) 8 inches or less in length. 

stout trunk. Its mnin distinguisl~ing characte~-s The frngritnt white stnlkless flolvers hnve a white 

ntw: (1) tlie stout trunk 1-2 feet in diameter, with 3-tootliccl tubular cnlys I,ta inch long, 3 nat~o\v 

tlio split, bases of old petioles hnligil~g do\rn agttinst \\?hite petctls more than I/g inch long, I, spre,ding 

it; (2) large fan-shaped lenves \vitli very loi~g \vhite s(:lme~~s less than inch long, united at 

pet ioles 3-8 feet long and pleat cd fan-sl~aped blue- base, and n narrow 11-1iit.isli pistil more than 1/8 

gl~een blades 3-6 feet in diameter wit11 n definite inch long with short 3-celled ov:lry and stout style. 

~nidrib curl-ed do\vn~vard slig~it~~, deeply split Tlie lillmerous smooth fruits (drupes) hnve tliin 

fro111 margin to middle into nnrrolv segments 111- flesh :i11d 1 rounded brojvn seed 3/s inch or less in 

tomating with threadlilre fibers in notches; (3) diaineter.. Flowering r~lid fruiting perl~nps irregu- 

I ~ I I I~~nall I ~ \vliitish Mon?ers xa inch long in slen- larly daring the yenr. 

der, much bmnclied,. spreading clusters :tt ler~f As tho colllmon names suggest, Puerto Rican 

brlses longer tli:ut ~,etloles or sor~retinies exceeding str:t\v hats are m:ide fro111 the young let~ves of this 

the blades; and (4) rounded brown f11lit.s 3/R-1h pnln~, after curing, blencl~ing, and drying. The 

inch in diameter aad slightly flesliy. 

leaf fibers are em loyed also for briskets, mats, 

Small to medium-sized tree to :lO feet tall \vit,ll iinIEB.-palma do abnnico, 

above and decrensing in 11-idtli above bnse from (i pnlmn do cogollo, yarey (Puerto Rico) ; Puerto 

to 2 inches, the petiole is prolonge;ecl as an asis or 

Rico lii~t-~)ttlt~i (English). 

midrib (mchis) neilrly half the length of the fnnshaped 

or paltntttely lobed blade. Segments of tlie 

Bert~lutlii palmetto or bulltyre (Sabnl bet-mublatlo 

are 11/2-2y1 inclles wide and 11s m~lcli 11s 4 tlnncr Bl~iley;" for~nerly referred to S. blnc;kbttrnifeet 

long, stiff and lei~tliery, pnrnllcl-veined, dull a~tto)~ Glt~zebrook), native of l3ennudn, has been 

I)luc\ green 011 botli sides, each split into 2 long introdurctl on St. Crois and St. Thomas. It is dispoilited 

strips, \\-it11 n slender fiber or tl~tra(l nris- t inguislictl 1)y the leil~es, which are green rntller 

ing from eilcli nolcl~. 

tli:~n blrlo greelt, and by slightly larger blackish 

Tl~e flower clllsters (panicles) lt1-e up to 8-10 fruits ilbout $6 inch ill tliameter. The leaves are 

feet, long. There nre nutneroas bro\vn shentl~s 11set1 for the sutiie purposes.

I de sombrero, Puerto Rlro pnl~riet.to Sabal cafraiarrtm (0. F. Cook) Reccnri 

Flowers (lower left) and fruits (lower rlght), natural size.

CASUARINA FAMILY (CASUARINACEAE*) 

11. Casuarina, Australian beefwood, horsetail casuarina Casuarina equisetifolia L.' 

11 tall slender introduced tree with n thin crown, screw splittin are good. Tlie wood is used in 

clinractcrized by : (1) ~ vir~, drooping, dark peen tlio m1111d. Gses inc111de fenceposts and poles, 

~ieedlelike twigs about 1/32 inch in dinmeter, jointed ben~ns l)ut not underground, oxcart tongues, chnrrind 

grooved, with rings of minute grayish scale con1 nnd f11e1. 

leaves about %-% inch npnrt ; (2) numerolls small Elsewhere tlie bark has been employed in tnnainle 

and female flo~vers cro\vded in inconspicuous . nin in medicine, and in the extraction of n red 

light brown cllisters on the snme tree (monoeci- or &ue-black dye. In southern Florid* the fruits 

OIIS), the male flowers in nn.rro\v cylindricnl ter- have been made into novelties and Christmas 

nii~ial clusters 3Jg-% inch long and as much ns decorations. 

i1lc11 across the stamens, nnd fe~nale flowers in Often propngated b cuttings for street, park, 

sl~ort-stalked laternl ball-l~ke c111sters less tlinn % ornamental, and wind i renk plnntings, it can also 

incll in diameter or inch across the spreading be trimmed into hedges. It is used for reforestacltirk 

red st les; and (3) fruit a light brown tion because of its ndnptability to degraded sites 

warty coneli i: e ball I,$-% incli in diameter. aa(1 rnpid ro~vth. Nnt~~ral regenerntion is rnre 

A rnpidl growing medium-sized evergreen in Puerto 

tree to 100 r 

A ico because nnts consume nenrl all 

eet tall and 1-11/ feet in trunk ditlm- t,lio seeds, but in some tropicnl nrens the p f ants 

eter. Tlie bark is light gray grown, s~~~oothisl~ 011 spread rnpidly. On protected sandy seacoasts, 

s~nnll trunks, beco~iling rouF;h, furrowed and \vliere this tree is best ndnpted in this region, disllaggy, 

and splitti~l into tli~n strips and flakes ameter growth rates of 1 inch per yenr are not 

es losing a reddish- & rown 111yer. Inner bark is uncommon. Because some trees have been dere( 

\ dish and bitter or astringent. Tlie wiry droop- stroyed by disease in Puerto Rico within recent 

ing twigs 9-18 inches long nre dark green, becom- years, plaating for shade or ornnment may not be 

ing paler, ancl the older twigs gray bran-11 and desirable. 

scnly. 

Plnnted in Puerto Rico, especially along the 

Leaves are less tl~nn ?(i2 inch long, 6-8 in n consts and less commonly in tlie lower mountain 

ring (n-horled) nt a joint or node. The twigs regions. Also in Mona, St. Croix, St. Thomas, 

remain green and function like leaves in food and St. John. 

mnkinp and are shed grndi~nlly like leaves. 

RANQE.-Native of tropical Asia and Austra- 

RIinute male flo\t7ers, cro~vded in rings among lnsia but planted and nnturnlized in various tropit 

lie grayish scales, co~is~st of 11 protruding brown- cnl and subtropical regions. Southern Florida 

ish stamen less than I/g inch long wit11 2 minute including Florida Keys, Bermuda, throu h West 

brown sepal scales at base. Femnle flowers lack Indies from Bahamas and Cuba to ~rinifiad, and 

sepals but have n pistil nbout inch long with from Mexico to South America. 

small ovary and threadlike dark red style. 

OTIIER CoamoN NAMEB.-~~~O austraiiano,pino 

The multiple fruit, grny green n-lien immature, de Austmlia, pino (Fuerto Rico) ; weeping willon* 

is composed of points less than l/s inch long and (ITirgin Islands) ; p~no, ping de Australia (Span- 

I~rond, each developing from a flower. An indi- ish) ; ciprds (Cuba, Mexico) ; snuce (Nicaragua) ; 

vidual fruit has 2 pointecl scales that split apart liorsetail casuarina, beefwood, horsetail beefwood, 

at mnturity and release 1 winged light bron-n seed I~orsetnil-tree, Austrnlian-pine (United States) ; 

(nkene) about M incli long (300,000 per pound). beef~vood (Bahamas) ; casunrinn, 

Flowering and fr~iitiup tlirough .the year. 

Trinidad nnd Tobago).; Christmas-tree 

Tlie sapwood is l>ialtish to light hro\vn, tlie huinna) ; pin d'Austrn11e 

I~enrt~\-oocl dark brown. Tlle fine-textured wood is West Indies) ; casuarine 

very hard, heavy (specific gn~vity 0.81), and very cnzunrinn (Brazil). 

s~~sceptible to nttnck by dry-wood termites. It is Cnsuarinn is not related to the true pines, which 

strong, tough, difficult to snm, but crncks and spli!s, are not nntive in Puerto Rim. The common name 

and is not durable in the ground. Rate of nlr- pino, of course, is descriptive of the wiry green 

sensoning is modernte, and nmoant of degrade is tn?i s, \vIiich resemble the needle leaves of pines. 

a considerable. 3fnclii1ling chnrncteristics are as A krr relnted species introduced from Australia 

follo\vs: planing and tr~rtiing are fair; and shap- nre being tested experimentally in forest plantning, 

boring, mortising, sand~ng, and resistance to tions.

11. Casuarina, Australian beef\%,oocl, horsetail casuarina 

Two-thirds natural size.

12. Higuillo 

This ~lbuntlt~nt sn~all tree or shrub is easity recognized 

by : ( 1) the yellow-green, sli,alltly z~gzag, 

finely lritiry twigs with enlarged, r1n4 joints 

(nodes) ; (2) tlie ~inrrowly elliptic, long-pointed, 

yellow-green lenves, unoq~tal nt base, slightly 

rough above, with loug, slightly curved lateral 

veins, n11c1 trron~tttic or spicy when crushed; (3) 

tho tiny flowers nnd fru~ts crowdecl in cor

12. Hlgullla 

Natural slze. 

Piper adutictrnt C. 

5 1

CHLORANTHUS FAMILY (CHLORANTHACEAE) 

13. Azafrhn Hedyosmum arborescens Sw. 

This distinctive small tree or shrub of the eastern 

niountains of Puerto Rico is rendily identified 

by the following clinmcters: (1) tlie leaves, twigs, 

and other parts are pleasantly fmgmnt when 

crushed; (2) the opposite, elliptic, sliglltly fleshy, 

dark green leaves linve finely snw-toothed edges, 

and tlie petioles of n pair are united nt base into 

:LII etilt~rged sheath incli long ~iround twig; 

(3) stalkless small green flowers less than 1/8 inch 

long. male and female on different trees (dioecioas), 

the male flowers cro\vded in narrow clusters 

:~nd tlie female flon-ers in groups of 2 or 3 surronnded 

by 3 wales :dong nn axis; and (4) whitish 

watery fruits about s/s inch in dinmeter, with 3 

fleshy scales on outside. 

An evergreen t ~re to 20 feet higli nnd 4 inches in 

trunk diameter or shrubby. The bark is brown, 

s~riootl~isli and thin, often covered wit11 ~nosses :~nd 

liverworts. Inner bark is light brown or pinkisli, 

a~irl witli spicy or bitter taste. Ttie clarlt greet1 

flesliy twigs have etilnrged ringed nodes and large 

pith cuid are brittle. 

Petioles are +s/s inch long, tlie leaf blades 

1Yi-'5 inches long n~id 7/84? inches broad, shortpointed 

at both ends, with the edges slightly 

tanled under. 

Flower clusters are terminal and lateral. Male 

flowers nre in a stalked cylindrical cluster (spike) 

inches long and 9i6 inch or more in diameter, 

each flower consisting merely of 1 stamen less 

than l/g i~icli long and without calyx. The axis 

(spilte) of female flowers is 1-2 inclies long, the 

flowers composed of 3-an led inferior ovary less 

rlian % incli long corer8 by green tubular base 

(hypanthium) and bearing minute 3-toothed calyx 

at apex. 

The fruits are composed mninlg of tlie enlarged 

fleshy scales, ellclosing 2 or 3 individual 3-angled 

fruits (clrupelike) about I/g inch long, each from 

R sepnrate flower and containing 1 bro\vn seed. 

Flo\vering nnd fruiting nenrly through the year. 

The liglit brown sapwood is hard and is not 

llsed. 

In openings in the forests in the upper Luquillo 

:mcl eastern upper Cordillern regions of Puerto 

Rico, asce~idi~ig to near tlie summits of the peaks. 

PU~LIC ~o~t~srs.-Carite, Luquillo. 

R-~sa~.-.Jamaica, Puerto Rico, nnd Lesser 

Antilles from St. Ritts to St. Vincent. 

OTHER CO~IMOS NAM~;Y.-~O~S fragile, bois de 

I'eau, bois senti (Guadeloupe) .

13. AzafrBn 


WILLOW FAMILY (SALICACEAE*) 

14. Sauce, Humboldt willow Salix humboldtiana Willd.* 

r 

An exotic ornamental tree easily recognizecl b : The sap~vood is whitish, and the heart\vood dull 

(1) the very narrow coluninnr cro\vn with st~nig ~t gray nnd reddish. The wood is soft, liglit\veiglit 

nsls; (2) nearly erect bmnclres; (8) sle~ider yel- (specific grnvity 0.4), and eas to work. It is not 

low-green twigs; and (4) tlie rely narro\v (I~II- du~~iblo and is very suscept,ib r e to attnclc by dryem), 

long-pointed, finely saw-tootlied leaves. Ap- ~vood tcrniites. The wood is used only for posts 

nrently this species does not flo\ver in Puerto and fuel in Puerto Rico. Else\vhoi.s ~t, has bee11 


employed for boxes and in cnbinetmnlcing, and 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree attain- the bnrl< has served in niedicine. Baskets and 

ing 20-60 feet in height and 8 inches in truiik ~vicker funliture are made from the slender flexidiameter. 

The gray bnrlc is ro~~gli :tnd furrowed. ble r q brnnclies. 

I~ltier bark is pinkish and slightly bitter. Tlio I he columnnr form is grown as tin ornamental, 

twigs are sometimes pinkisli t,ingecl. 

particulnrly in cemeteries and nlso in pnrks and 

The alternate leaves lla\~e sliort slender green- ,prdens wid in living fences. Also in St. Croix. 

ish or pinkish petioles about l/s inch long. At base The species is propagated from cuttinp. 

there is a pair of broad, short-pointed, toothed, RASGE.-Native from centn~l Aiex~co south to 

green scales (stipnles) l/g-3/S incl~ long, clasping Clrile atid Argentina. Planted also in sout.llern 

tho twig. Leaf blades nre 2-5 inches long nncl l~loricla, Gren ter Antilles, and in Guadeloupe, 

%6-3/S ~nch brotld, short-poi~ited at base, with Alul-tinique, St. Vincent, and perhaps other Lesser 

lnteral veins inconspicuous, ttpeiy thin, and dull Antilles. 

green on both sides. Tlie fo Y inge h,zs a slight but 0.r111cn c*o~;\rox ~~31~s.-tnimbre (Puerto 

distinctive odor. 

Rico) ; sauce (Spanish) ; sauce colornclo, mimbre 

Where present, the flowe~s nre male and fe~ilnle (Colo~nbia) ; pajarobobo (Peru) ; sauce amargo, 

on different trees (dioecious), crowded wit11 woolly sti~lce chileno (Chile) ; siiuce criollo, sauce colomdo 

scales in narrow clusters (catkins 1%-21/2 inches (Arge~it~inn) ; sauce criollo, snllce blnnco (Urulong, 

terminal on short txip. h 1 ale flowers con- nay) ; Humboldt willom-, \villom (United States, 

sist of 4-7 st:imens above 11 \voolly scale, and fe- %ngislI) ; mule (French) ; snule, peuplier (Gsadem;rle 

flowers with ~voolly scnle nt base hare a pistil loupe) ; snlgueiro, sillso, clloriio (I3rnzil). 

composed of 1-celled ovnry nnd 2 stigmas. Seed I3rnd\src~\r, s~sosnr.-Sdix chile?^& nnth., not 

capsules nearly 3/,6 inch lotrg contain m:iny small 8. chiletla& iliolina, a name of uncertain npplicaseeds 

\\*it11 tufts of cottony hairs, 

tion.

- 

14. Sauce, Humboldt rvillom 

687-921 0 - - 6 6 5 

Natural size. 

8nliz krcaz boldtiana Willd.

ELM FAMILY (ULMACEAE) 

Key to the 2 species illustrated (Nos. 15 and 16) 

A. Leaves less than 2 inches long, short-pointed, rough hairy on both surfaces-15. Wema lamarckiana. 

AA. Leaves 3354 inches long, long-pointed, rough hairy above, soft hairy on veins beneath-16. Trmra mfcrantha. 

15. Palo de cabrilla, West Indies trema Trema lamarckiana (Roem. & Schult.) Blume 

This slirub or snlall tree of openings in dry avs is ch:~racterizecl by: (1) n thin, very spread~ng 

clro\vn of 11orizont:tl or sliglitlg drooping branches; 

(2) smnll, lance-sl~t~ped let~ves usually less than 2 

il~clles long, rough and hairy on both sides, bhick 

nntl wit11 the finely . saw-toothed edges turned 

~lntler. ~vitli 3 m:~in veins at b:rse, nnd with network 

of veins sunken on upper surftrce and raised on 

lower surface; (3) the lellves in a flat arrangement 

in a rows: and (4) mmy small greenish flowers 

nnd pink fruits l/fi inch in diameter clustered at 

bases of leaves. 

,111 evergreen shrub or tree to 20 feet in height 

11nd 10 inches in trunk dinmeter. Tlie smoothish 

light bro~vii bark 11:~ mnny thiy wnrty dots (lenticaels) 

and thin fissures. I~lller brrrk is light b~u>nm 

or pinltish, fibrous, ancl sligl~tly bitter. Tlie slentler 

twigs, green tvlien young t~ncl becoming brown, 

are covered wit11 minnte, stiff, whitish hairs. 

The nlternnte leaves huve short hairy petioles 

$/x-M inch long. Leaf blatles are mostly 9/4-11/2 

iricl~es in length and %-% inch in width, somet 

imps to 39; inclres long and 11h inches broad, usu- 

~rlly sllort-pointed nt apes, ronnded or slightly 

oblique at base, green above and light pen 

I)enenth. 

The liniry flower clusters (cymes) about 3/s inch 

t~cross bet~r several short-stallred hairy flowers less 

thnn I/g i~~clr across, mostly male and female togel 

her (monoecious) . M ~le flowers have 5 sepals, 

5 stnmens, ancl rudin~entaly pistil; female flowers 

have 8 sepals and pistil cornposed of ovary with 2 

stiglnns. The fleshy fruits (clrupes) contain 1 

brc~vn seed s6 inch long. Flowering and fruiting 

probt~bly tllrougli most of the year. 

Tl~e ligllt brown soft wood is seldom used in 

Puerto Rico. 

In open areas along the edges of forests and 

rrlong mntlsides in the southwestern part of the 

lower Cordilleln region of Puerto Rico. 

I'u~ttrc ~on~s.rs.-liuricao, SusGa. 

I~AN~E.-Southern Florida including. Florida 

Keys, 13ermuda, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and 

Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent. 

01'1r~n COJIJLON SAJIFS. - cnbrilla (Puerto 

Rico) ; memizo de majagun, memizo cimarnjn, 

mt~jagua, memiso (Dominican Republic) ; capuli 

cin~nrnh, gumimilla (Cuba) ; West Indies trema 

(I'nitecl States) ; Lamarrk trema, pain-in-back 

(I311lramas) ; nrahaut pi~nent (Haiti) ; orme petites 

feuilles (Frel~ch West Indies).

15. Palo de cabrilln. West Indies trenin 

Natural size. 

Trct~ta la~t~arckiatta (Rnem. & Schnlt . ) Blume

16. Guacimilla, false jacocalalu, Florida trema 

This smnll tree of open forests is rccogiized by : 

(1) o ,en spreading crown wit11 liorizontal :1nd 

slight 1 y droo~illg bmnches; (2) the lance-shaped 

leaves 31/24 ~nches long, long-pointed at apex, the 

biise with 3 niaiu vei~is and sl~glitly Iienrt-slinpe

16. Gunclmilln. false jacocnlnlu. Florida trema 

Natural size.

MULBERRY FAMILY (MORACEAE) 

Key to the 8 species illustrated (Nos. 18-24) 

A. Leaves deeply lobed, very lam. 

B. Leaves umhrellallke, rounded with 7-11 roundecl lobes: ~wtiole very long-20. Cecropia peltata. 

BB. Leaves elliptic, wlth 7-11 long-pointed lobes ; petlole short-17. Artocarpus altilis.* 

AA. Leaves not lobed. 

C. Leaves hairy, oblong, edges with tufts of hairs apwnring like minute teeth-19. Caetilla elaetfoa.* 

CC. Leaves hairless or nearly so, edges not toothed. 

D. Leaves elllptic or obovate, rounded at apex; frult very large, elliptic or rounded-18. Artocarpus 

heterophylltrs.* 

DD. Leaves various, short- or long-pointed at apex : fruit emall, fldike 

E. raves mlth 8 main veins from base, elliptic to dlamond-shaped-23. Ficue retu8a.b 

EE. Leaves wlth 1 mnln veln or midrib. 

F. Leaves with &lo lateral velns on each slde of mldrlL22. Ficus laeuigata. 

FF. Leaves wlth many straight, parallel, lateral veins. 

G. Le~lves uhruptly short-pointed at a~wx. munded at base, 4-12 inches long-21. Ficus elastics.* 

GO. Leaves short-pointed at both ends, 1s-3 inches long-24. Ficus sinteniaii. 

17. PanapCn, pana de pepitas, breadfruit Artocarpus altitis (Parkinson) Fosberg* 

Breadfruit is a handsome tree planted for its vnriety with seeds the female flowers are y8 inch 

edible fruits and attractive folinge. It is ensily long and '/lt; inch across, composed of a tubular, 

recognized by : (1) the very lnrge, deeply 7-11- conelike and pointed, hairy cnlyx pro'ecting j/4 

lobed, shiny dark green lenves nbout ll/z (1-3) inch and pistil with a sunken I-celled 1-ovuled 

feet long; (2) the milky j~~ice that exudes from ovary and 2-lobed style. The seedless vnriety has 

the bark when cnt; nncl (3) the yellon~is11-green sterile female flowers projecting only about Ih2 

rounded or elliptic fruits 4-8 inches long. Two inch. 

varieties are d~stinguishecl : pnnap4n being .the The multiple fruits are covered with individual 

common seedless variety, nncl pnna cle pepitas tho fruits and contain a whitish starchy pulp formed 

variety with seeds. 

from the enlarged stalk (receptacle). In the 

h medium-sized spreading evergreen tree to 60 seeded variety the fruit surface is composed of 

feet. high and 2 feet or more in trunk diameter, greenish conical spinelike projections, each from 

with relatively few stout brnnches. The brown it single flower, and there are several large brown 

bark is smooth, -4th warty dots (lenticels). Tnner edible seeds. The seedless variety has a smoothis11 

bark is whitish and almost tasteless, with white, surface honeycombed with individual fruits about 

slightly bitter latex. The very stout twigs 14-1 inch across. Flowers and fruits are borne 

inch in diameter nre green nnd minutely lia~ry, tl~roughout the year. 

with rings at nodes, nncl en

17. Panapen, pann de pepitas, breadfruit 

One-third natural size. 

drtocarpua altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg

made from the male flower clusters. Else\vhere Ocean. Crro\\-n tlironphout tlie tropics, the seeded 

the fruits have served for fattening hogs. 

variety so~neti~nes escaping from cultivation. 

This tree was introduced into the \Irest Indies I'la~itetl tl~rooglio~it the West Indies and in conin 

1793 from Tahiti of the Soutli Sea Islands to tinental tropicnl ~inlerica. Rare in southern 

provide chettp food for slaves. It. \vns clairnetl Iplarida and fruiting only at Key West. 

that tllrecz or four mature trees could provide OTIIER CO~Z~IOS ~~nr~s.--irbol de nn, palo de 

starchy food to su port a man tltrougl~out tlie pnil, pan, ~'ana (Puerto Rico, Spnnis f 1) ; lnrap6n, 

year. Captain ~ilfiam RligIi in tlie ship Provi- mrign, bombilltt, pichones (Puerto Rico) ; pana 

dence clinrtered by tlie Britisli Government fontstera (seeclless variety, Puerto Rico) ; castaiia 

brouglit plants to St. Vincent nnd Jamaica. This (seeded variety, Puerto Rico) ; bueri pan, albopin, 

special expedition was undertctken to trnnspqrt Ian de frutn (Dominican Republic) ; cnstaiio del 

potted plants of the seedless variety tlie grent d~s- b~trlabar (seeded vnriety, Cuba) ; mnrt~pbn, frutn 

tance. tin earlier attempt with a cargo of plants de pan, pan do fr~~tn, castaiin (Guntemaln) ; rnazaon 

board tlie ship Bounty fniled o~vinq to the pill1 (I-Iondurns) ; breadfruit (United States, Engfamous 

lnut,iny against Captain I3ligh In 1780. lish) ; brendnut (seeded variety, English) ; cha- 

Abont tlie same t~me the French brought a fern tnigne (seedecl vnriety, Trinidrtd) ; mazapitn 

breadfruits to other islands of tlie West Indies. (Britisli Honclurns) ; arbre B pain, fruit B pain 

Propagation is by root cuttings or layering and (French) ; arbre veritable (Haiti) ; chiitnippier, 

in the seeded variety by seeds. Growth is rnpid. 

TITidely cultiratecl around homes nlmost throughc~hittnignier 

du pays (seedecl variety, French West 

out Puerto Rico and occasionally escaping. Least Indies) ; palu di frut'i pan, broodboom (Dutch 

common in the upper mountain and dry limestone \ITest Ind~es) ; broodboom (Surinam) ; fructa pBo 

regions. Also in Mona, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. (Rrttzil). 

,John, and Tortoln. 

R~TANICA~, s~~o~~-~~s.-Artocnrpu~ cornmunix 

R,~so~.-hT:ltive in islnnds of the Soutll Pacific ,T. R. & G. Forst,., A. i&u8 (Thunb.) L. f. 


18. Jaca, jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.' 

This cultivated relative of breadfruit is chnrac- Tlie multiple fruits, weighing 20-40 pounds, 

terized by : (1) giant, elliptic, rounded or irregu- linve n hard outer covering of the enlarged female 

lnr-shaped yello~v-green fruits 1-2 fwt long ant1 flowers, each nritli IL sharp conical point s/8 inch 

s-1 foot in diameter, covered with sharp conical long and about 1/5 inch across at base. Within is a 

points; (2) milky juice in the bark; and (3) leaves whitish fibrous pulp containing many seeds (80 to 

commonly elliptic or obovate, 4-6 inches long and n pound), which are irregularly bean-shaped, 

23 inches broad, dark green and slightly shiny, whitish or light brown, 1%-11, inches long. In 

thick and leathery. fruit nearly through the year. 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree to 40 The mood is yellowish, darkening to brown 

feet in height nncl 1 foot in trunk diameter. The upon exposure, fairly hard and resistant, taking a 

gray bark is smoothish, becoming rough, fur- good polish. T~it,tle used in Puerto Rico; elserowed, 

and thick (1, inch). Inner bark is light where used in cnbi~iet~ork and carpentry. 

twown, gritty and almost tasteless, yielding taste- Occasionnlly plnnted in gardens, chiefly in the 

less latex. The twigs are grny, with raised cities and tonvns of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands 

rounded leaf scars, ending in n dark green, nnr- for ornament, shade, or the large edible fruits, 

row, pointed, minutely hairy scale (stipule) tl~ough mnch less corntnon than breadfruit. The 

inch or more in length forming tlie bud. fruits, which are enten cooked as n starchy vege- 

Tlie leaves nre nlternate, witli stout petioles table, have a peculiar flavor and are less palatable 

1,-% inch long, T~nf blades vary in shape, some- than breaclfr~~its. 

times oblong or narrow and on young plants rind R~~o~.-Native of tropical Asia from India to 

shoots accasionnlly 2- or 3-lobed. h1sl:tya and Etst Indies. Widely planted in tropihfnle 

and fe~nnle flowers are in different flower ctll regions, including southern Florida, West 

clusters, enlnrpcl and fleshy, on t lie same tree Indies, and cont iliet~tnl tropical America. 

(monoecious). The male cluster on a stalk 2 OTIIEK COMMON NAMES. - palin cimnrrona 

inches long is stoutly club-shaped, 2-4 inches long, (Puerto Rico) ; jncn (Spanish) ; pan de fruta, 

ellowish green, and with odor like muskmelon, buen pan, nlbopbn (1)orninican Republic) ; rima 

&aring very many cro~v\.cled mnle flowers less than (Cuba) ; c:lsr:tlo ( Xienrng~~it) ; jitq~~eirn, arb1 de 

5$6 inch long, each consisting of :1 2-lobed cnl~s pan (Colombia) ; jackfruit, jack (United States, 

and 1 stnnleti. Fcninle flowers, very numerous III English) ; cnrttthnr (Rritisli Gt~ittna) ; jaquier 

the elli >tic or rouncled femnle flower clusters, :Ire (French) ; jitcu (I3rnzil). 

more t \ 18111 1/1(; inch long, composed of tubular ~~~%INIC.II, ~~~o~~ars.-Artocnrpu8 integri o- 

Ilairy C~IIYS ntid pistil with 1-celled 1-ovuled ovamy, litrx nutli., not 11. f., rl. integer :inth., not ('l'liun f 1.) 

slentler style, and broader yellow stigma. Xierr. 

62

18. Jam, jackfrtiit 

Natural site. 

drtocarpus hcterophyllue Lam. 

63


19. Caucho, Central American rubber, castilla rubber Castilla elastica Cervantess 

Caucho, including this and 2 related species 

planted sparingly in Puerto Rico, is easily recognized 

by: (1) the long, slightly drooping, stout, 

hairy twigs wit11 2 rows of large hairy oblong 

leaves 10-18 inches long and 4-8 inches broad, also 

drooping; and (2) abundant milky juice in the 

bark and twigs. The other species are separated 

most1 by flon-er and fruit characters. 

A &rge spreading evergreen tree becoming 70 

feet or more in height and 1-3 feet in trunk diameter, 

with buttresses forming at bnse of large 

trunks. The light brown bark is smoothish, wit11 

fine fissures, and thick, often having scars where 

cut \\?it11 machetes by curious persons to see the 

latex drip. Inner bark is ~vhitish and bitter with 

latex also bitter. The unbrtincl~ed twigs are ween 

\\.hen young but become brol~n, and have a 9 ong, 

narrow, green, hairy terminal bud 2-234 inches 

long, formed by n many-ridged scale (stipule) that 

sheds, leaving n diagonal ring scar at each node. 

The alternate leaves are spreacling from short 

stout hairy petioles inch long. Leaf blacles are 

oblong but broadest beyond the midclle, shortpointed 

nt apes and heart-shaped at base, the edges 

\\-it11 tufts of hairs simulating minute teeth, thin, 

green and rough on upper surface, ancl light green 

and soft hairy beneath. 

Flon-ers are male and female on the same tree 

(monoecious) but in separate flattened hencllike 

clusters bordered by rows of overlapping scales 

and borne along t.he twigs mostly back of the 

leaves. Male clusters are commonly 4 together, 

yh-1 inch across on stalks about 1 inch long, composed 

of male flowers with numerous crowded 

stamens less than 1/8 inch long and no calyx. Female 

clusters are single, stalkless or nearly so, 

forming a greenish-yellow disk 3/4 inch across, and 

bordered by many broad, short-pointed, green, 

finely hairy, overlapping scales. The crowded 

female flowers are about l/q inch long, fleshy, 

minutely hairy, greenish-yellow, tubular, angled 

calyx surrounding and adhering to the white 

ovary, \rhich has n yellow-green style and 2- or 

3-forked protruding stigma. 

The multiple fruit is a disk 11/2-2 inches in diameter 

and x-1 inch thick, borclerecl by many 

,men overlapping scales from the flower cluster 

and composed of many cron-cled individual fruits 

grown together. Each individual fruit is l/z+ 

incll lon and 1/4-% inch across, blunt-pointed and 

half wit f in the disk, com osed of the fleshy, finely 

hairy calyx, changing co f' or from yellow to green, 

orange, and red, very juicy, almost tasteless but 

sligl~tly sour, soon fermenting and molding, and 

containing 1 white oblong seed %-1/2 inch long. 

Seeds 800 to a ound. Flowering chiefly in spring, 

and maturing P ruits in summer. 

The mood is yellow brown, moderate1 soft, 

lightweight, and not durable, Used in suerto 

Rico chiefly for fuel. 

With species distributed on the continent from 

Biexico to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil, 

Oastilla was formerly an important source of rubber, 

both from wild trees and plantations. Some 

rubber is st,ill obtained from wild trees by cutting 

or tapping the bark and collectin$ the latex, which 

coagulates upon exposure. Cult~vation in Triniclad 

ancl Tobago was not commercially successful. 

Riost, rubber now comes from plantations of the 

unrelated Par6 rubber tree (Devea) native in 

Brazil. The Indians made mats for blankets and 

clothing by beating out the bark. 

Planted occasionally in Puerto Rico, sometimes 

as n roadside tree for shade and ornament. Found 

along the Arecibo-Utuado, Cides-Villalba, and 

M:tr~cao-Mayagiiez highways. Also grown at St. 

Thomas. It is a tree of openings in moist forests, 

probably li ht-requiring, and grows rapidly. 

RANGE.-L % ntive of Mexico and Central America 

soubh to Colombia and Ecuador. In the West 

Indies introduced into Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto 

Rico and St. Thomas, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Rarely planted in southern Florida. 

OTHER COBIJLON NAJLES.-P~~O de goma, goma, 

cnucliern (Puerto Rico) ; caucho (S anish) ; tirajala 

(Dominican Republic) ; lrfol del hule 

(Mexico) ; hule, ule (Guatemala, Honduras) ; uleule, 

hule, rnnstate blanco (Panama ; caucho negro 

(Colombia) ; castilla rubber, cast4 i oa rubber, Centrnl 

American rubber (English) ; rubber, ule 

(British Honduras). 

BOTBNI~AL s~~o~~ars.-casfi22a kcti@&% 0. F. 

Cook, 0. pnnnmensis 0. F. Cook. 

The generic name, sometimes spelled Cmtilloa, 

honors Juan del Castillo (1744-93), Spanish 

nrlnacist and economic explorer, who came to 

Lexico in 1787. 

Rh

19. Caucho. Central American rubber, cast11111 rubber 


20. Yagrumbo hembra, trumpet-tree 

One of the most, abundant trees in Puerto Rico, 

this species is easily recognized by: (1) a very thia 

sprettding crown of s few sto~~t brancl~es nrising 

higl~ on the ti~ink and curving uplvard; (2) the 

few very large thick umbi~llalilce (peltnte) Ienves 

wit11 blades 1-2s feet across, con~posecl of 7-11 

It~rge lobes spreading at the end of a stot~t. petiole 

almost os long; (3) the al-llitisll or silvery under- 

surface of leaves readily seen \vl~en uptunlet1 by 

;L 1)i.eeze: ancl (4) the newer bmaclles llollow ex- 

cept, for partitions at the nodes. 

A medium-sized evergiven tree to 70 feet lligl~ 

snd 2 feet in trunk diameter, deciduous in arens 

\vi t 11 tr pronounced dry season. Solnet imcs tlc- 

reloping prop roots nround the hase. The grity 

bark is smootll and thin, n-it11 nnn.o\v rings nncl 

largo lenf scars at, t.he nodes or joints 2-4 incl~c-s 


Cecropia peltata L. 

siderable. Ilachining c11~mcterist.i~~ nlu! as follo\vs: 

plal~in and sanding are good; shnpil~g and 

turning nro F nir; boring is very poor; mortising is 

poor ; and resistnnce to sciv\v splitting is excellent. 

In PII~I.~~ Rico the woocl is used for mnnufac- 

ture of cscelsior. Combitled with cement, it is 

made into IL type of insulation board for light in- 

terior construction and partitions. The wood 

shonltl be a suitable substitute for balsn in manu- 

fncture of toys, models, and other products made 

from ~notlcrately heavy grades of balsa. Else- 

mllere the \vood has been used for mntcl~sticks, 

boxes tlntl cr:ltes, interior boarcling, and paper 

pulp. 

Tl~o Ilollotv stems II:I\T been used to ~nalce floats 

for fisll~lets nncl life preservers and, when split in 

two, Il:lre served as writer troughs :lnd gutbrs. 

apnrt. Inner bark is pinkish nntl sliglltly bitter, St~bstitafes for cork stoppers have bee11 wllittled 

with watery lates. The smallest bnu~cl~es are 1IA fro111 the soft ~vootl. In some countries the leaves, 

inclles in diameter, green and sligl~tly hairy at b:~rk, n~~tl Itttes have been employed in locnl mediapes, 

becoming gray, n-ith rings t ~t nocles. Tl~elr cille. Tile fibrous bark of relnted species tras used 

is tr ginnt bud covered by a large, pointed, 1~~1disl1, l>y 1ntli;lns for cordage nr~cl mats. It is reported 

hairy scnle (stipule) 5-10 incl~es long. 

th:~t, the woocl ignites ensily from friction and 

Leaves are alternate but clnste~vtl at, encls of herves as tinder. 

branches, each on n stout round grec!n petiole 12-20 Hollo\v 1)1*:111ches of this and related species elseinches 

long, enlarged nt base. Tl~e lenf blades, ~vhere are inllalited by sn~r~ll stinging ants \\-hich 

rounded in outline, I~are 7-11 lobes nnd reins rn- bore l~oles to rench the interior. Early nntu~xlists 

dinting fro111 the end of the petiole (pnlmt~te), the obwrving this constnnt association imagil~ed that 

lobes and sinuses rounded. Upper sl~rface is the ants, 11s paglnent for the residence furnished, 

green, slightly rougll, and llairless, and lower sur- \\.ere aggressive in driving away insects or other 

fnc-e with a dense coat of ~\*hit,ish Ilnirs. 

nnturnl e~~cmies thretltel~i~lg the tree. However, 

hfale and female flolvers n1.e on cliffesent t,l.ees in Pl~erto 1Zic.o tu~ts are not :~ssociated \\.it11 this 

(dioecious) in paired fingerlike cl~~sters at leaf species, nnd the trees illri\.e. 

bases. IInle flo~ver c111stex-s hare n. stalk 2-3 incl~es Abondnnt in open :~rens and in forests both vir- 

Ion bearing about. 15 narrowly cylindrical ptlle gin and cntover, tl~rourrllont Puerto Rico with the 

ye1 f ow branches (spikes) 23y2 inches long and escept ion of parts of the tlry coastal and dry limeil~cl~ 

in dianleter, e:lcll on 11 stalk y1-?L2 incl~ stone regiol~s. Also ill Yieques, St. Croix, St. 

long. The very numerous, tiny, cl.o\vded mc~le Tllolnns, St. John, a11t1 Tortolt~. 

flo\vers are x6 IIIC~I long n~ld n:trro\v alld hare 1t The trees propagate nat~~rnlly and nt first grow 

111l)nInr calyx nlld 9stnmens. 

very rapidly (2-3 incl~es in diameter per year) but 

Female florver clr~stels on stalks 2-3 inches long require ilearly full sunlight. The seeds apparconsist 

of 2-5 stalkless, thicker, cylindrical, grny ei~tly gcrn~inate slon-lg. In Trinidad it ans obbrnnches 

(spikes). Tlie mi1111te female flowers served that bats eat quantities of the succulent 

nlore tl1:111 $Ilo il~cll lo~~g, st111ken ill the asis, are fruits ant1 nre the chief agents of seed dispersal. 

colt~posed of n tubi~lnr calys enclosil~g ovary alltl Birds also distribute the seeds. This weed tree 

style nnd tul exposed finely brnnclled stign~:~. At corninonly covers quickly all openings resulting 

matnrit y the b~~ncl~es (multiple fruits) are 21h-4 fl-om cuttitlg of trees ill tllc forest. Its ope11 shade 

inclles long ancl %-y2 ilicll in clian~cter, gray nlltl ~woridrs 11 good el~rirol~l~~el~ t for the development 

slightly fleshy, dotted wit11 mnny I -seeded nli~l~ite of a tiew forest. 

fnlits (about 8,200,000 to the pound). The numer- PC-nr.rc ~on~s~s.-C:~~~~l~nl:~cl~e, Carite, Guajaous 

I)ro\\-n seeds rlre nlore t11:ul 1/,, ill(-11 long. 111 tilrti, Geilarte, Luqnillo, i\.Cnricno, Rio Abnjo, 

flotver and fruit, probably thro~~gll the year. Snsila. Toro Negro, Irega. 

The \rood is \vl~itisll, lipht~veigllt (specific g~-a\~- JIusrc.r~*~tr,l~r~s TI'REIIE ESPECIALLY conrnro~.-1, 

itg 0.29), soft. weak, nnd brittle, 1)ut tougll for its 5. 10, 11, 17, 19, 22, 23,25,27, 31, 34, 35, 3G, 40,43, 

weigl~t. It is not, tll~rnble and is very s~~sceptiblc 45.49, 50, 51, 52, 53,,58, 59,60, 6.2, 64, 70, 73, 74. 

to nttnck l)y dry-\vood termites. 1711like the hollo\v H.\sa~.-'I'l~rougho~~t West Indies from Cuba 

brancllcs, t.he main trunk is solid. 'I'l~e rnte of air- :lid .J:~nlt~icn to Trinidad nticl Tobago. Also from 

seasoning is rapid, n11d arllol~nt of (Iegrttcle is con- Tnmttin, BIesico, to Costrt Ricn ancl recorded in

20. Tnglmlbo hembra tn~~~lpt-trw 

Cecropia pelfala L. 

Leafy twig with male flower clusters (above), about one-third natural size; fruit clusters (lower right), two-thirds natural size.

Colombia, Venezuela, and Guianas. Planted as an 

ornamental in southern Florida. 

OTHER COIIIMON Ni\BfES.-YagrUmO, llagrum0, 

grayumo hembra (Puerto Rico) ; trumpet-wood 

(Virgin Islands) ; .yapmo, yafirumo hembra 

(Dominican Republic) ; yngruma, yagruma hem- 

bra (Cuba) ; guarumo (Guatemala, Costa Rica, 

Colombia) ; igarata (Guatemala) ; trumpet-tree, 

trumpet-wood, pumpwood, snakewood (United 

States, English); shield-shaped trumpet-tree 

(United Sh tes) ; pop-a-gun (Barbados) ; bois 

canon (Trinidad) ; wanasoro, congo-pump (Brit- 

ish Guiana) ; bois trompette (Haiti, Gundeloupe) ; 

bois canon (Guadeloupe, Martinique) ; wild papaw 

(Dutch 71Test Indies) ; bospapaja (Surinam). 

I~~NICIL 


SYNONYB~. - Cecropia asperrima 

Pittier. 

English and French common names refer to the 

use of the hollow blanches for trumpets or other 

inusical instruments. Also, children sometimes 

make flutes from the llollow petioles. 

An unrelated tree of generally similar appear- 

nnce is yngrumo macho (Didympanux mro- 

totoni ( Aubl. ) Decne. & PI.). 

21. Palo de goma, India-rubber fig Ficus elastica Nois,* 

Occasionally planted in Puerto Rico for ornament 

and shade, this handsome spreading tree is 

characterized by : (1) an extensive superficial root 

system and numerous aerial roots about the trunk ; 

(2) abundant milky juice or white latex; (3) 

large; leathery, oblong or elliptic, shiny green 

leaves 4-12 inclies long and 2-3 inches broad, thick 

and stiff, abruptly short-pointed at apex, rounded 

at base, and with sides bent upward at midrib; (4) 

numerous straight, parallel, lateral veins very 

close together on each side of the midrib and nearly 

at ri ht an les to it; and (5) oblong greenishyellow 

f! glike f ruits about l/2 inch long, paired and 

stalkless at base of leaves. 

A medium-sized to large evergreen tree to 60 

feet in height and 3 feet in trunk diameter. In 

India, its native home, it becomes 100 feet tall mith 

a giant fluted trunk, often buttressed at base and 

with long surface roots. The bark is light ra 

smoothish with small horizontal rid es, and t ic . 

I 

t P 

Inner bark is reddish and bitter. he crown of 

long branches provides dense shade. The stout 

twigs have faint rings at the nodes. A large, 

showy, long-pointed, reddish sheath or scale 

(stipule) 1-2 inches or more in length forms the 

outs~de of the bud and covers each new leaf. 

The alternate leaves have stout petioles 9/-1% 

inches long. Leaf blades are lighter colored beneath 

and much larger on young shoots than on 

others, not toothed on edges. There is a variation 

mith yellow variegated leaves. 

The elli tic multiple fruits (syconin) are 

covered wit 1 a sheath when young that sheds, leaving 

a basal cup. There is a ring and slight pointed 

opening nt apex. Many tiny male and female 

flowers (monoecious) and seeds are borne inside 

the slightly fleshy fruits, which are eaten by birds 

and sometimes by children. Fruiting probably 

through the year. 

The sapm-ood is whitish and moderately hard. 

The mood is little used in Puerto Rico. In native 

forests and extensive plantations of India this 

species was the ori inal commercial source of rubber. 

However In d ia rubber has been replaced by 

Parii rubber (~evea) from Brazil, which produces 

higher yields and at an earlier age in plantations. 

Propagated by cuttings or layers and adapted to 

molst regions, where it grows rapidly. However, 

the many horizontal roots on top of the ground 

may be objectionable in street planting. It is reorted 

that the large heavy limbs are easily broken 

$ wind. Where native, the plants usually start as 

air plants (epiphytes) from seeds erminating on 

other trees, sending down aeria f roots to the 

ground and afterwards strangling and killing the 

supporting trees. 

Planted for ornament and shade along streets 

and in parks and gardens in Puerto Rico and 

Virgin Islands. 

Ra~a~.-Native of tropical Asia from India to 

Malaya. Widely cultivated in tropical regions, 

sometimes escaping and as a potted ornamental 

in temperate regions. Planted in southern Florida, 

Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Virgin 

Islands, Guadeloupe, and Dutch West Indies. 

Also from Mexico to South America. 

OTHER COJIMON NAMES.--caucho, hiyera (Dominican 

Republic) ; goma el&stica, caucho (Cuba) ; 

amate, hule (El Salvador) ; caucho de la India 

(Colombia) ; India-rubber fig, India rubber-plant, 

Indin rubber-tree, rubber-plant (United States, 

English) ; caoutchouo (Haiti).

21. Palo de goma, India-rubber Ag 

Natural size. 

Flcua elastica Noh. 

69


22. Jaguey blanco, shortleaf fig Ficus laevigata Vahl 

Like the obller mild ancl planted tree species of suitable for boxes, crates, interior construction, 

the same genus (Ficus), the commonest of the tincl light carpentry. 

jagiieyes or wild figs of Puerto ltico is recognized The p1:ults make excellent live fenceposts beby 

: (1) milky juice, or ml~ite latex, n~hich esudes cause they root so readily from cuttings. Grown 

copiously from cut or brolren parts; (2) aerial :is an ornamental and shade tree in Puerto Rico 

roots often extending from bmnches to the ancl southern Florida. 

ground; (3) prominent long-pointed buds at end 170un plants of this and some related species 

of each twig, formed by a scale (sti ~ule) which cornmotl 

inalres n rinq sea:; and (1) stnall A 

7 y start as air plants (epiphytes) high on 

eslly figlike :L fork of nnotl~er tree wliere birds have dispersed 

fruits paired or single at leaf bases, with minute the seeds. After sendin slender :~eri:tl roots to the 

flowers hidden inside. Jarriiey I~lanco is further ground, the vinelike p (i ant grows rapidly. Its 

distinguished by: (1) w!htish bark; and (2) roots usually unite to fonn a trunk, sometimes 

leaves with relatively long slencler petioles x-2 strangling and killing the olcler tree. 

inches long and short-pointed elliptic to oblong I11 forests, thickets, fence rovs, and roadsides 

blades 11/24 inches long and yLT3% inches broad, throilghout Pnerto Rico with the exception of the 

the 6-10 lateral veins on each slcle about inch up er mo~lntain regions. Also in Biona, Icacos, 

apart. and nearly at right angles to midrib. Cu 7 ebm, TTieques, St. Croix, St. Thornt~s, St. John, 

A sinall to medium-sized spreading evergreen and Tortola. 

tree to 60 feet high and 2$" feet in trunk cliametec Prmr,~c FORESTS.-Aguirre, Cambalache, Carite, 

The bark is smoothish, becomin~ slightly fissured. Gunjataca, Ciuilnica, Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, 

The inner bark is light brown, Rbrons, ant1 al~ilost Rio Abajo, San Juan, SusGa, Toro Xegro, Vega. 

tasteless, the white latex also nearly tasteless. RAXGE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

Twigs are $enish, turning to gray, have faint, Ke s and through \Vest Indies from IJahamns and 

rings at no es, and termin:ite in a long pointed Cu IL to Grenacla nncl Barbados. 

green scale (stipule) 3/s-5/8 inch long. 

OTIZER coJrarox NABIES.-~~J~U~Y, jagiiey macho, 

Blades of the alternate leaves vary greatly in j@ieillo, jigiierillo (Puerto Rico) ; white fig (Virsize 

and shape and are abruptly short-pointed at g~n Islands) ; higuillo (Dominican Republic) ; 

apex and rounded, short-pointed, or slightly heart- jagiiey, jagiieicillo (Cuba) ; shortleaf fig, wild fig, 

shaped at base, often n little thickened, hairless, mild banyan (United States) ; shortleaf wild fig 

and not toothed at edges. Tlie upper surface is (Bahanlas) ; figuier (St. TAucia) ; fiy ier maudit, 

green to dark green, slightly shiny, with many tiny figuier blnnc, figuier banian (Guadelo~~pe) ; figuier 

dots (raised on a dried leaf), ancl the lolver sur-, mauclit (Biartinique) . 

face is paler. 

Ro~ax~c-11, srxox~xs.-Ficus Zentiginosa Vahl, 

As the flowers in this genus are not visible, it P. lneviqata var. lentiginosn (Vahl) Urban, F. 

appears that the trees have fruits but no flowers. j'optt7nen IYillcl., F. brevif~lia Nutt., F. popttlnea 

lhe figlike multiple fruit (syconium), actually a var. brevifolin (Nutt.) IITarb., F. Iaevigata var. 

compound fruit, corresponds to an enlarged over- brcvifolirr (Nut t.) JTarb. 

grown flower stalk beming on the inner walls This is a variable species of vide geographical 

numerous tiny male and felnale flowers (monoe- range, co~nposecl of races within Puerto Rico and 

cious) and the small seeds, each technically a fruit outside difiering in size of leaves and fruits and 

from a single flower. In this species the slightly in length of fruit stalks. Some taxonomists have 

fleshy rounded fruits about 3/s inch in dianleter distinguished 2 or 3 species and additional variare 

borne on slender st:lllrs l/g-% inch long. eties. Recently, however, this species has been conare 

greenish, often brown dotted, tumiiig recldis TtleY 1 siclered a synonym of F. citrifozia Mill., interancl 

brownish at maturity, and edible though taste- preted ns a species of broad geographic distribuless. 

There are 2 scales '/16 inch lqng joined at base tion in tropical America from Florida south to 

and n small pore at apex. Fruits tire borne Paraguay. 


13esicles the 2 native and 2 introduced species of 

The sap\\-ood is whitish, and the heartwood light this genus of figs described and illustrated here, 

brown. The ~-ood is fairly light\reight (specific several others have been planted for shade and 

gravity 0.40), soft and tough, ancl strong for its o~~~ttment. Another species of jagiiey or wild fig 

weight. Nevertheless, it is not durable and is very (Fictla tm'gonufn L.; synonyms F. crmsineruiu 

susceptible to attack by dry-mood ter~uites. The Desf:, F. stahlii Illarb.) native in Puerto Rico and 

rate of air-seasoning is slow, and amount of de- Virgin Islands is characterized by stout, hairy 

pnicle is minor. Blacllining characteristics are as twigs, petioles 1/2-11/2 inches long, oblong or ovate 

follo.r\-s: planing and sanding are good; sllaping, leaf blades 3-6s inches long and 11/24 inches 

turning, boring, and mortising tire poor; ancl re- broad, usually rounded at both ends, and rounded 

sistance to screw splitting is excellent. Tlie mood figlilre fruits y8-5/8 inch in dirtmeter, single or 

is used for making guitars and for fuel. It is paired on stalks of inch.

22. Jagties blnnco, shortleaf fig 

687-921 0-660 

Two-thirds natural size. 

Ficu8 laevlgata Vahl 

7 1

On St. Croix still nnotller species of jagiiey or rounded nt both ends, and rounded figlike fruits 

fig (Ficus obtuaifolia H. B. I

23. Laurel de la India. India-laurel flg 

Natural size.


24, Jagiiey colorado Ficus eintenisii Warb. 

This jagiiey or wildfig is distinguished by: (1) 

smtlll elliptic leaves only 1x3 inches long and 

B/g-ll/t inches broad, short-pointed at both ends, 

dull reddish when young; (2) many straight, pnrallel, 

lateral veins less thnn ]/lo inch apart on each 

side of midrib and nearly at right angles to it; (3) 

rounded figlike fruits less than yL inch in diameter 

n~id on stallis about the same length, mostly paired 

or single at base of a leaf; and (4) milky juice or 

nVliite lntex. 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree to 50 

feet high (recorded also to 65 feet) nncl 1 foot in 

trunk diameter, with s rending crown. Bark is 

light grnv and smoothis I' 1. The whitish inner bark 

is almost tasteless and contains white lntex. Slen- 

der brown twigs end in n long-pointed green scale 

(sti ule) inch long, which forms the bud. 

T!O alternate leaves hnve petioles %-1/2 inch 

Leaf blades are thick and leathery, without 

ion% teet , dark green arid slightly shiny on upper surface, 

and yellow eel1 benentli. 

The figlike mu T tiple fruits (syconia) are pale 

green when immature, becoming pink tinged or 

reddish and hnve a slight pointed opening at apex 

and 2 rounded scales (brncts) $iG inch long at 

base. Numerous minute male and female flowers 

(monoecious) and seeds are formed inside the 

slightly fleshy fruit. Probably fruiting through 

tlie year. 

The supmood is \vllitisll tuid soft. The wood is 

soft, fairly light~veiglil (specific gravity 0.4), 

wectk, und not durable. Usecl for fuel and posts. 

Tlio broad, generally sy~r~metricnl dense cron-11 

~iicikes this tree potentially an ornamental. 

(loli~monest in the upper ~liountnin and moist 

liuicstono regions of Puerto Rico, often growing 

near t,lle summits of limestone hills. Less common 

in t he lower mountain regions. 

PUI~LIC ~o~~~~s.-Carnba~a~he, Carite, Guajatnctt, 

Guinicu, Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio 

Abnjo, Susha, Toro Negro. 

I

24. Jagtiey colorado 

Natural size.

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY (POLYGONACEAE) 

Key to the 6 species illustrated (Sos. 2540) 

A. Leaves rounded or short-pointed at apes, without faint lines; fruits fleshy, without wings. 

B. Leaves round or nearly so. 

C. Leaves very large, 1-1% feet in diameter, appearing wrinkled with lateral reins deeply sunken-%. 

Coccoloba pu beecene. 

CC. Leaves smaller, 2%4 inches long, flat. 

D. Leaves longer than broad; veins green, forming prominent network upon drying-27. Coccoloba 

srcartzil. 

DD. Leaves broader than long; midrib, larger veins, and young and old leaves often reddish-28. 

Coccoloba uvflera. 

BB. Leaves elliptic, about twice as long ns broad. 

E. Leaves leathery, broadest below middle, mostly rounded tit both ends, with edges turned under-25. 

Coccoloba dluersffolfa. 

EE. Leaves thin, usually broadest above middle, short- to long-pointed at apex and short-pointed to heart- 

shaped at ba-29. Coccoloba venoea. 

AA. Leaves long-pointed, oblong, with 24 faint lines on each side of and parallel with midrib; fruits dry, with 3 

showy pink whgs-30. Triplaria americana.. 

25. Uvilla, doveplum Coccoloba diversif olia Jacq. 

Trees of this genus are recognized by the twig lnrge brown seed (nkene) l/q-% inch long. The 

ringed at the nodes witah n membrnnol~s sheath sour nnd somewhat astringent thin flesh IS eaten 

(ocren) at tlie b w of the lenves. This species of b birds nnd children and prepared into jelly. 

limestone forests is clinrncterized by : (1) tho dis- dith flowers or developing fruits nenrly tl~rougli 

t.inctive smoothish mot,tled Fa nnd brown bark, the ear. 

gry at first but peeling off In s i" iort thin flakes ex- TK~ n-hitisli or li ht brown snprood is hnrd. 

posing brown benenth; (2 t,\vigs ringed nt nodes, The wood is descri 8e d as dnrk reddish brown, 

with gray or brown mem 1 nlnous shenth (ocrea) henv (specific grnvit 0.8), strong, and brittle. 

1/1 inch long at base of lenves; (3) elliptic to ornte I3mpfoyed in Puerto iieo mostly for posts nnd 

lentliery leaves 11/24 inches long nnd 7/8-21/2 inclies pokq. Else~vliere reportedly used in cnbinetwide, 

usually rounded nt both ends and turned mnking. 

under at edges; (4) slender flower clusters with Populnr for general planting and Inndscape 

many short-stalked spreading 5-parted n-liitisli- work in southern Floridn. Also n l~ol~ey plant. 

green flo\vers ?/,, inch tlcross; nnd (5) rounded In both tlie moist and dly limestone forest reor 

egg-shaped dnrk red or pu lish fruits %-$ gions of Puerto Rico. Also in Monn, Vieques, nnd 

inch long; slightly fleshy and edi T Ae. 

St. Croix. 

An evergreen, usunlly smnll tree to 80 feet tall PUI~LIC FORESTS. - Cnmbnlriclie, Gunjntaca, 

ttnd 10 inches in trunk dinmeter, often with sev- Guilnicn, Susba, Vega. 

ern1 slender trunks and cmoked branches. Largc ~~UNICIP~\LITIES WllERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.trunks 

may be buttressed, fluted, or nngled. Tlie 7, 0, 11, 14, 24, 26,28, 38, 44, 54, 55, 68, 75. 

inner bark is light bro~vn and astringent, or bitter. 

Twigs are pen when yonng, becoming p y or 

R,\sGE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

sometimes brown, nnd hnr nlternnte leaves. Keys, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, St. Croix, nnd 

Petioles are 1/1-96 inch long, light green. Blades Lesser Antilles. 

nre sometimes blunt.-pointecl at apex. The upper 0 T 11 E R coarAroN NAAIFS.-uverillo (Puerto 

surface is dnrk green to green and dull or often Rico) ; uvilln, paynb6n, uvilla de sierra, urn 

shiny, and lower sr~rfa~ce is sliglitly pnler dull cimnrronn (Dominican Republic) ; uvilln, gunyagreen. 

cnnejo, uverillo, uva de palomn, frutn de paloma 

Flower clusters ( rncemes) nre terliiinal nnd 11h- ( Cubn) ; doveplum! pigeon-plum, pigeon seagrape 

fi inches long. Flo\ve13 nre male and female on (United States) ; p~geon-plum (Bnhnmns) ; raisin 

different trees (dioecioas) nnd hnve short stalks mrirron (Haiti). 

inch or less in lengll~. Bit~le flowers hare n Formerly referred to Coccoloba lat~rL'folia Jncq., 

short basal tube (hy pnut hiurn) less tlitln ',$a inch n species described from Venezueln. 

long; 5 spreading rountlecl whit isli-green calyx Besides the 5 species of this genus illustrated 

lobes more than inch long; 8 white spreading Iiere, 6 others of mostly smnll trees are native in 

stnmens ntPtached to tube ; and rutlimentary n-hitish forests of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islnnds and 

pistil with o~xry nnd 3 sliort styles. Female nre mentioned under related species. Tlie 2 belonflolve~s 

linve basal t ul~, 5 cnlys lobes, minute non- nro distinguished from thnt nbove by the more 

funotional stamens? ruid pist.il ~vitli 1-celled oraly liulnerous female flowers 50 or more in nlong an 

inch long nnd 3 spreaditig styles. 

nsis instend of 10420. lJvero de monte (Cocco- 

The fruits consist of basal tube (hypanthium) Ioba xintenis ii Urban), known only from Puerto 

with calyx lobes at tlie pointed npex, enclosing 1 Rico, has oblong leatliery lenves 5-8 inches long

25. Uvllla, doveplum Coccoloba divwsCfol& Jam. 

Natural size. 

77

and 31h-5 inches wide, short-pointed at apex arid Cuba and Hispaniola, has broadly ovate to elliptic 

heart-shaped at base, red flower clusters, and red or rounded lentliery leaves mostly 2-7 inches long 

flolvers mlth stalks 3/la inch or more in length. nncl inclies wide, blunt or ronnclec\ nt apex, 

Coccoloba costata C. TVri rht (C. rupicola Ur- rreen flower clusters, and green fio\vers wit11 stalks 

ban), rare in Puerto Rico lk ut kno\vn also fronr kess than %o inch long. 


Coccoloba pubescens L. 

A distinctive medium-sized tree of nioist mom- x6 ilicll long united into a basal tube nearly as 

tail1 forests in ceut~xl and western Puerto Rico, long; and r~idimentary pistil coniposed of light 

easily recognized by: (1) vely large nearly round green ovary $Go inch long and 3 s~iinll wliitisli 

leaves 1-1s feet in diameter (often nearly 3 feet, styles. Female flotvers hare bnsril tube, 6 calyx 

on rapidly growing sprouts), broader tlian long, lobes. minute nonfutrctional stamens, and pistil 

heart-shaped mid almost stalkless, tliiclz, stiff, nnd wit11 ovary ]/lo incli long and 3 styles. 

lentliery, tippearing wrinkled with lateral veins Wlien fruiting, tlie axis curves do\vnward from 

deeply sunken, and finely hairy betieatli ; (2) stout. tlie xveiglit of tlie many fruits ~vliicli nre green and 

twigs ringed and enlarged nt nodes, bearing at, pinkish tinged ~vlien immature, consisting of the 

base of lenf a sheath (ocren), split into brown enlarged basal tube (hypanthium) enclosing 1 

finely hairy rounded lobes about X-M inch long sliiny brown 3-angled seed (akene) 9/ra inch long. 

and appearing double; (3) numerous snlnll liglit Tlie sapwood is whitish, and the lienrt\vood redgreen 

flowers on short stalks along a stont terminnl dish bro~vn wit11 pores ninrked by dnrk gum. Tlie 

axis; and (4) rounded fruits 9{6-1h inch in very hard, lienvy wood (specific grtivity more tlian 

diameter, 

1.0) is durable and employed for construction and 

An evergreen tree to 70 feet in keight, the trnnlz fnlmiture. It is resistant to attack by dry-wood 

beconling 2 feet or more in diameter and sliglit ly termites. 

buttressed \vlien large, with sprending cro\vn com- -1s a slow-g~o~ving ornan~entnl for special plantposed 

of few branches and few leaves. Young in@, this dist~nct ire tree has been introduced spartrees 

and sprouts are erect and unbrnnclied. Tlie ingly in soutl~ern Florida and Cubn. 

gray bark IS smootliish and sliglitly fissured, the In t lie moist limestone forest region and less 

inner bark light brown and sliglitly bitter. Tlie colrimonly in tlie veste ern half of the lower Cordilstout 

gray ttvlgs have raised clots (lenticels) and lera region of I'uerto Rico. 

are green nncl minutely hairy ~vllen young. Ter- PUBLIC: FOI~EBTB, - Gunjatnca, lfnricao, Kio 

mintil buds nre short, rounded, brown, and finely Abajo. 

hairy. 

R,IN~E.-Hispnnioln, Puerto Rico, Barbuda, 

The alternnte leares have stout green petioles Antip~a, Alontsernlt, Xeris, Guadelo~~pe, Dominiabout 

S/g incli long, so short tliat the bases appear c:~, Jfartinique, St. Lucia, and Barbtidos. Planted 

to be clasping. Blades are roundecl at apex, not in southern Florida :tnd Cubn. 

toothecl at edges, above green and shiny and be- OTI~EII GOJIJION s.~~r~s.-Iiojalicl~a (Dominican 

neath yello~v green with tlie network of veins Republic) ; grnnclleaf seagrape (United States) ; 

raised tilid prominent. Leaves of mature trees lcii tlier-cotit-t rco (13:lrbndos) ; raisinier gmndesfouncl 

in Hispaniola are reported to be much feuilles, bois rouge, nloral6n (French T'Trest 

smaller, ns sliort as 3-4 inches in length. 

Indies). 

Tlie ntlrro\v flower cluster (rnceme) 5-8 inclies 13curas1c,11. ~~~oxriu.-Coccolobn gmndifolia 

long consists of a slig1:lltly ciirved liglnt green a ~is Jncq. 

l/s-% inch in diameter, minutely hairy, bearlng -4 related rare species called orteg6n (Coccoloba 

flowers about 3,/,0 inch across, tisually 2 or 3 to- ru!loso Desf.) is now knot\-n only from the south 

gether on slender light peen stnlks about % inch slope of the 1,uquillo Biountains but formerly was 

long. Flo\vers are male ancl female on different present also ~ietlr Snn Juan. This small tree has 

trees (dioecious). The male flower consists of ri tlie trunk unbrr~nclled or with very few brnnches, 

light green CII like bnsal tube (liypanthium) similar very large ne:irly rownd lenves 1-11h feet 

inch long ruitl 6 road with 6 nenrly round wliit isll- in diameter but li~lirless, and reddisli flower clusgreen 

cnlyx lobes '/lo long; 8 slender ~vliite stnlnens ters and fruits.


Coccoloba ptlbC8Ce?l8 L. 

79


27. Ortegdn Coccoloba swartzii Meisn. 

Distinguishing characters for this species usu- The sapwood is whitish and hard. The heavy 

ally of mountnin forests, include: (1) shiny men wood (specific gravity 0.7) is used in Puerto Rico 

elllptic to broadly ovate to rounded leaf b 7 ades cliiefly for posts. 

~nerally thick and leathery, 21/24 inches long and In tho lower and n~ountain forest regions 

2 4 inclies broad, on sliort stout green pet~oles; of l'uerto Rico, to dwarf forests of the 

(2) twigs rinpd at nodes with a green sheath summits. Also of Puerto Rim, 

(ocrea) 3j-3/q inch high at base of young leaves; Vieques, St. Croix, St. John, and Virgin Gorda. 

(3) the terminal erect green flowering axis gener- PUNLIC FORESTS.-Cnrite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

nlly stout and inch in diameter, bearing Blr~rictto, Tom Negro. 

inlkny stnlkless greenish 5- nrted flowers singly RAN~E.-Bahamas, Greater Antilles, St, Croix, 

tisd not crowded; and (4) syi htly fleshy green to St. John, Virgin Gorda, and Lesser Antilles from 

blackish egg-shaped fruit (a Ck ene) 5/le inch long Sabn to St. Lucia and Barbados. 

wi tli cttlyx lobes at top. 

OT~IER COJflION NAMLZEG.-UV~~~~ (Pllerb Rico) ; 

h small to medii~m-sized evergreen tree com- uvillGn (Cuba) ; tie-tongue (Bahamas). 

rnonl to 40 feet Iiigh and 8 inches in trunk diam- The common form known only from mountains 

eter, gut recorded to 50 feet in height and 3 feet of Puerto Rico and characterized by thick leaves 

in trunk diameter, with narrow or rounded cro\\-n. lind stout flowerin axis has been distinguished 

Tlle bark is gray, smooth to slinlitly fissured, the lilso as a species ( 8 occoloba borin uensi~ Britton; 

l)ro\vn or pinkish inner bark ~&~lltl bitter and C. atoot*trti f. urbanii (Lindnu) dmard). 

gritt The stout gray twigs are slig T ~tly crooked Tllree related species may be mentioned here. 

:and &nt at the ringed nodes. 

One called uvern (Coccoloba pyrifolia Desf.), 

T~a\?es are alternate on petioles 3/8-% inch long. known only from Puerto Rico, has narrowly ovate 

T3lttiles are blunt-pointed or rounded at apex nnd Ienves 24y2 ii~clles long and 1-2% inches wide, 

~*oundecl or slightly heart-shaped at base, the eclges s11ot.t-pointed or blunt at apex, veins incoris~icuous 

not toothed, shiny green nbove cincl a little lighter oil both sides, and round fruits only inch in 

green beneath. Upon drying the minute network dirtmeter. 

of small veins becomes sllglitly raised and promi- IJverillo (Coccoloba ?nhro~tnchya TQilld. ; synnent 

on both surfttces. 

onym C. obtrcaifolin a\lth., not JVi'lld.) is n shrub 

The flower cluster (spike) is 612 inches long. or small tree widely distributed in tlie drier arens 

l'lo\vers are male aricl femnle on different trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and also in 

(clioecious). The male flower s/16 inch across has IIispnniola. It has smnll, mostly oblong or orate 

:I cuplike scale at base nncl cons~sts of basal tube leaves 11h-2% inches long and %-1% inches aide, 

(~1yp:lnthiunl) $Ilo inch long with 9 widely sprettd- the apex sliort-pointed, rounded, or notched the 

ing cnlyx lobes more than $/la inch long, 8 sprend- I):tse rounded, veins prominent cind forming dense 

ing stamens, and ru(1imentnry pistil. In the fe- network on both sides, itnd black fruit inch long 

male flower tho stnme~u are smnll, and the larger 11ot nnpld. 

pistil has n 3-angled 1-collcxl ovary arid 3 styles. Coccoh)brc krugii Lind~iu, anotllier shrub or small 

The fruit is composcd of the bnsal tube (hypan- tree of drier arens of Puerto Rico, Anegada, and 

t,llium) 1h inch long bearing nt apex- the 5 calyx elso\vliere in the lJTest Indies, litis ovate leaves 1-2 

lobes more than $Il6 inch long and ericlosing s shiny inches long and 5/8-1% inclies wide, rounded at 

dark bro~\-n seed inch long. Recorded in flower tlpex and Iieart-shaped at base, veins inconsp~cuous 

and-fruit fro111 June to September. 

on 11p1)er si~rf:lce, and 3-nnglecl fruit inch long.


Coccoloba troortoii bleiw. 

81


28. Uva de playa, seagrape Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. 

Usually limited to snndy and rocky seashores The bnrk contains tannin, nbastringent 

and coastal thickets, this familiar small tree or roots and bnrk have been used in medicines elseshrub 

is easily identified by: (1) the rounded or ~vliere. \Test Indian or dnmnican kino, an astrinkidney-shaped 

thick and leathery leaves slightly gent recl sap exuding or extracted from cut bnrk, 

broader than long, 3-0 inches long and &8 inches fortnerly was in commerce for tnnning and dyeing. 

broad, hart-shaped at bnse, with short petiole and Jelly clnd a minelike beverage cnn be prepnred 

a reddisll-brown membranous sheath (ocrea) from the fruits, which also are enten raw. 

%-% inch high around stem; (2) midrib, larger Bunches of fruits in conelike pnckets formed by 

veins, and young and very old leaves often red- rolling the leaves have been sold on the streets. 

dish; (3) the numerous small whitish or peenish- Enrly Spanish colonists sometitnes used the fresh 

white flowers 3/{6 inch across in narrow terminal thick lenves as n substitute for paper, scratching 

rtnd lateral clusters 49 inches long; and (4) the messages with a pin or other sharp point. 

drooping grapelike clusters of crowded 

This is one of the first woody specles to become 

fruits about inch long, elliptic or egg-s rrple aped, established on snndy shores, being more hardy in 

and edible. 

these exposed places nnd more tolernnt of salt 

Vnrying greatly in size from n low prostrate thnn most trees. For these reasons it is often 

shrub on mind-swept benches to a small, straggly plnnteil as an ornamental or ~vindbrenk along the 

or wide sprending tree to 30 feet in height and 1 coast. Since propagation is fro111 cuttings, female 

foot in trunk diameter (rnrely to 21,4 feet), ever- plants should be selected for fruits. Also fregreen, 

with rounded crown of few coarse branches quently grown in southern Florida in lnndscaping 

nnd often brnnclling nenr base. Sometimes a at~d 11s n hedge trimmed to shnpe. A good honey 

lnrger tree in protected or fnvornble sites. The plnnt. 

smoothish thin bnrk is gray, on Inrge trunks peel- Very probably seagrape was the first land plant 

ing off in small flakes and becoming mottled whit- of ilnlericn seen by Christopher Columbus, ncish, 

light gray, ancl light bro\rn. Inner bark is cording to Sathnniel L. Rritton. Thnt nutliority, 

light brown and bitter. The stout. sprending twigs who visited San Salvndor (\lrntling) Island in 

nre green and minutely hairy ~vllen young, becom- 1907, reported this to be the most conspicuous 

ing gray, with lenf sheatlls tlnd ring scars at nodes. plat~t enre rest the ocean. However, thnt islnnd np- 

Tho leaves are alternnte on pet~oles %-1/2 inch ~):twntly mas not the first discovered. 

long. The blades, often turned on edge vertically, On nearly all sandy and rocky senshores ancl 

have margins slightly cnrred nnder and are hair- constlrl thickets in Puerto Rico, Monn, Desecheo, 

less or nenrly so, tlie upl)er surface green or blue Icttcos, Culebrn, Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, 

glren and the lower surfnce prller. 

Erect flower clusters (nnrrow rncenles) 69 

St. John, Tortola, Virgin Gorcln, nnd Anegada. 

i~lclles long hnve nunlerous frngrnnt flowers on R,\sa~.-Widely distributed on tropical Amerishort 

stalks S6-1/H inch long, male and femnle on (*III~ sllores. From central and southern Florida, 

tli fferent trees (clioecious) . The male flo~ver has inclutling Florida Keys, ancl Bermuda throughout 

n greenish-white basnl tube (hypnnthium) $/lo \\'cst Tnclies from Bnhnmas nnd Cubn to Trinidad 

incll long and broad bearing 5 sprending rounded nntl Tob;~go, and Curaqao nnd Arubn. On At- 

\i7hite calyx lobes rnore than 1/,6 inch long; 8 Inntic const of the continent from northern Mexico 

stamens united nt hnse; and rudimentnry pistil. to Cololnbia, Venezuela, and Guiclnns. 

In the female flower the stalllens :Ire small, and OTIIEI~ COJI~IOS NAJIES.-IIVR de mar, urero 

the Inrger pistil has n I-celled ovary ;und 3 styles. (Puerto Rico) ; grape (Virgin Islnnds) ; uvn de 

The frwt has a thin fleslly covering (ligpan- play~t, uva, uvero (Sptulish) ; uvn de mar, uvt~ 

thiam) with cnlys nt apes, sour or stveetish, and c*~ilct~i (Dominican Republic) ; llva cnleta 

enclosing 1 elliptic seed (nkene) $6 inch long. (CIII)~) ; pnpaturro (Honclurns, Costa Ricn) : 

Flowering nncl fruiting through the year. 

The sapwood is light brown, lulrl the heart~vootl 

pt~p~ltnt'ro estranjero (Xicnntgun) ; seagrnpe 

is reddish brown. The \vow1 is I~nrd, moderately 

(I' n i t e (1 S t a t e s, Englisl~) ; seaside-grnpe 

Ilenvy (specific gri~rity 0.7) , nncl very snscept ible (.Tani:~ic:~, Trinidnd, British Guinnn) ; grnpe 

to attack by dry-tvootl terlnites. It takes n fine ( I3rit ish Honduras) ; rnisin la nler ( Hniti) ; raisin 

polish b ~ is ~ little t usetl ill 1'11erto Rico escept for 1)ortl-cle-n~er, rnisinier bord-de-nler (Gundelonpe, 

~~osts and fuel. Strnight pieces should be suited I;rc*ncli Guinna) : zeedreifi, dreifi, clreifi di lamin, 

for IF-md turning. Elsr~\-herc, uses for fnrniturc. sctlgrltpe (Dntch West In

28. Era de playa, seagrape 


Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. 

83


29. Calambreiia, chicory-grape Coccoloba venosa L. 

A smnll tree n-ith edible fn~i ts characterized by : 

(1) n very spreading crown with nenrly horizontal 

brnnches and lenres drooping in 2 rows ; (2) ';hodstnlked 

leaves with thin elliptic to obornte blnde, 

usunlly broadest nbove middle, the much sunken 

Interal veins nenrly pnrnllel but curved and joining 

near edges and w~th membranous lone-pointed 

slienth (ocread %--s/, inch long snrroun8ng twig 

but soon shed ing; (3) very slender erect terminn1 

t~ticl lateral flower clusters 3-7 inches long, with 

numerous short-stalked 5-parted greenish-yellow 

flowers more than I/g incl~ 

~IC~OSS, 

the male and fe- 

male flowers on different trees (dioecious) ; and 

(4) numerous slloay fleshy white to pinkish fruits 

inch long, e€g-shaped, consisting of edible 

lobed cnlyx, and Inside n shiny blackish seed 

(nkene) . 

A deciduous tree or shrub to 30 feet high nnd 8 

inches in dinmeter. The brown bnrk is smoothisli 

with raised dots (lenticels), the inner bnrk pink 

brown and slightly bitter. Twigs nre green when 

young, becoming light brown with rnised dots 

(lent~cels), with remnins of shenth or ring at 

nodes! and bearing nlt,ernnte leaves. 

Petloles are yt-l, inch Ion bro~rnisli green. 

After the basal shentli sheds, t le base remnins nt- 

tnched. Blades nre 31h-8 inches long and llh4 

inches wide, or Inrger on rapidly growing shoots, 

short- to long-pointed ;it npex nnd gmdunll nnr- 

rowed to the short-pointed or slightly heart-s inped 

base, the edges not toothed, the upper surface green 

and slightly shiny, nnd lower surface dull green 

with raised veins. 

F' 

i 

Flowers are bnie along the nvis (s ikelike 

rnceme), 1 to few above II scnle on stnlks a g out 1/16 

inch long. Encll flower lins n %lobed membranous 

scale nbout '/lo inch long nt base. The male flower 

consists of :I minute greenish-yellow bnsnl tube 

(Iiypanthiam) with 5 sl~resdiny cnlyx lobes nbout 

s,t ~nch long, 8 stamens less t lnn '/lo inch long, 

nnd ntdimentary . Tlie femnle flower has 

bas111 tube (hypant gistil ium) with B cnlyx lobes, sterile 

sttunens, tind pistil wit11 3-iulgled 1-celled ovary 

tund 3 styles. 

Tlie fruit is broadly egg-shnped with fleshy cnlyx 

lobes, sweet nnd edible, sarroundin the seed 

(nkene) I/g inch long. Recorded in 1 ower from 

Mny to September and in fruit in October. 

Tl~e wood is whitish, hard, and little used. 

In the dry constnl region of Puerto Rico. Also 

in Blonn, Vleques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John. 

tind Tortoln. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-GU~~~CR, SusGn. 

RANGE.-Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Virgin 

Islands, Lesser Antilles from St. Mnrtin south to 

G~+enctdn, and Trinidtld nnd Tobngo. Reported 

from Jnmnicn nenrly 200 yenrs ngo, perhaps in 

error. Also in Venezueln nnd introduced experitnentnlly 

in Cuba. 

OTIIEI CO~IJION ~~31~s.-fnIse-grnpe, cherrygnlpe, 

f rible-gmpe (Virgin Isl~uids) ; gunmpo 

(I)on~iliic:~n Republic) ; checker-,mpe (Grenadines) 

; hoe-stick-wood ( Bnrbndos) ; white-grape, 

snlnll - lenf - grnpe (Trinidnd) ; sugary - grnpe 

(D~~tch West Ind~es). 

~'~ANICAL ~~~os~.-Coccoloba nivea Jncq.


Coccoloba venoea L.

30. Triplaris, anttree 


This handsome exotic is easily recognized by: 

(1) its straight tall trunk and narrow columnar 

crowll; (2) smooth mottled brown and light gray 

bark peeling off in thin pieces or strips; (3) hollow 

twigs ringed at nodes and ending in a long, narrow, 

pointed, pale gtvenish or yellowish bud 24 

inches long; (4) large oblong lon -pointed leaves 

with inany parallel nearly straig T lt lateral veins 

and ~vith 2-3 faint lines on each side of and parallel 

with midrib; (5) sn~all greenish very hairy 

flowers, crowcled in erect clusteis, the male and 

female on different trees (dioecious) ; and (6) 

sl~o~vy masses of large odd reddish fruits at the top 

of the crown, about 1% inch long, consisting of an 

elliptic base and 3 oblong pink wings like n small 

shuttlecock. 

A medium-sized to large evergreen tree becoming 

70 feet tall and 1% feet in trunk clinmetsr, the 

trunk slightly nngled or fluted. The bark, where 

peeled off, exposes a light gray layer beneath. 

Inner bark is pinkish and astringent. The green 

to brown stout twigs are often slightly zigzag. 

The scale (stipule) covering the bud ~nakes t ring 

scar around the twig upon falling, 

The leaves are alternate on stout, short, flattened 

petioles %-3/4 inch long. Blades are mostly 9-14 

~nches long and 21/24 inches wide, sometimes only 

half as large, short-pointed at base, not toothed at 

edges. The faint lines parallel with midrib result 

from pressure in the bud when the blade is folded 

under. The upper surface is dull to shiny green 

nnd hairless or nearly so, and the lower surface 

slightly paler dull green tmd with scattered brown 

hails on midrib. 

Flower clusters (spikes and racemes) are lateral 

at base of leaves, 2-8 inches long, densely light 

brown hairy, with flowers stallrless or shortatnlkecl. 

Nale flowers about S/ln inch long have a 

funnel-shaped, tubular, 6-lobed, hairy calyx and 

Triplaris americana L.* 

9 spreading stamens. Female flowers have a tubular 

8-lobed calyx, 3 petals, and pistil with 3-angled 

ovary nncl3 slender styles. 

The fruit consists of a basal elliptic swollen 

hairy calyx tube 3/s inch or more in length with 3 

1.ecldish or pink-red, membl-anous, prominently 

reined wings 1%-11/2 inclles long, formed from 

calyx lobes. Inside are the 3 narrow petals and 

1 3-nngled pointed shiny brown seed (akene) . At 

~nntunty the fruit falls slowly like a parnchute, 

spinning rapidly. Flom-ering in spring from Februaly 

to May and in fruit in May and June. 

The R-hitish sapwood is soft. The wood of this 

or related species is reportedly used for construction 

where native. JVhen cut for fuel, the trunks 

are replaced by sprouts. 

In the natural environ~nent blle hollow twigs are 

inhabited by ants, usually vicious or ferocious 

stinging ones. 

An ornninental in some cit4ies of Puerto Rico, 

having been introduced about 1924 and distributed 

a few years later. Also tested at St. Croix. 

RANGE.-Nort,hern South America, originally 

described from eastern Venezuela. Planted in 

southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and other tropical 

areas. 

OTIIER COJIMON saars. - long-john anttree 

(English). 

There is some doubt about the specific name of 

the Puerto Rican trees. According to Britton and 

IVilson 3 species were introduced : TripZaris nmeric~tn 

L. from Central America though originally 

described from Venezuela, T. carncasnna Cham. 

from Venezuela, ancl T. cumingiana Fiscll. & AIey. 

fro~n P:tn:unn. The Puerto Rican trees appear to 

be the same as those planted in the Canal Zone and 

Cuba under the last named species, ~vhich originrdlg 

was described fmnl Colombia.

SO. Triplaris, anttree 

'3~4- 

One-half natural size. 

Trlplarls americana L. 

87

7 

FOURIO'CLOCK FAMILY (NYCTAGINACEAE) 

Key to the 3 speclcs illuntrnted (Sos. 31-33) 

A. I.enves thin or slightly tlilcl;e~lcd, rounded or slli)rt-~mintcvl [lt both ends, hairy at least when young; fruits dry. 

narroir, with 5 rows of clotlike glands. 

B. Leares about half as broad as long, the lo\ver surfncc clenaely fine hairy--31. Pfsonia albida. 

BB. Leares nearly as brond ns long, rusty brown hairy when young but becoming hairless or nearly 60-32. 

Pisorria eubcordata. 

hi\. Leaves slightly tblckened and succulent, short-pointed at both ends, hairless; fruits fleshy-*. Tomrbfa fmgraw. 

31. Corcho bob0 Pisonia albida (Heimerl) Britton 

This tree of dry areas is characterizecl by: (1) in widely forking brnnclled clusters have slender 

brittle twigs; (2) opposite elliptic leaves 2-6 stalle I/g-% inch or more in lengtll; t,he greenish, 

i~iclies long ancl 1-3 inches b~-otld, roundecl or finely hairy, 8-toothed tubillnr cillyx y8 inch long, 

sliort-pointed at both ends, the upper surface and pistil wit11 1-celled, 1-ovuled ovary, style, and 

sliglltly shiny green and hnirless, nild the lo~ver sti mn. 

surface paler rind densely fine hairy; (3) mnny bruits (akenes) are numerous in a spreading 

fragrant. small greenisli flowers in terminn1 cluster of widely forking bmnches 23% inches 

hrnnched cllisters \vllen lenres are slled or form- 1011 and broad, tlie \vliole cluster breaki~lg off toing: 

and (4) numerous dark bro\vn dry fruits % get F ier. The tubular calyx remains outside of the 

inch long and ?Il6 inch in din~neter, tlie upper half very narrow dnrk brown 1-seeded fruit. Flon-erwith 

5 rows of raised glnads nncl slightly sticky. ing ~vlien leafless or with new lenves, from Febru- 

-4 deciduous, usunlly snlnll tree to 30 feet in nr to IIay, and maturing fruits in late spring. 

height and 6-12 inches in trunk diameter wit11 tile sapwood is yellowish or ivliitisli. The lieartspreading 

crown, or slirubby. Base of trunk and wood is yellowish, coarse-textured, with silvery 

roots are often enlnrged, suggesting an eleplit~nt's gum in the pores, nnd moderntely soft. Used only 

foot with toes. The bnrk is \vlutisll gray and as fuelwood in Puerto Rico. 

smooth. Inner bnrk is yello~v or light brown, It is reported that the sticky fruit clusters fallen 

gritty, nnd tasteless. Twigs nre light green and on tlie ground can cause death of young cllickens 

finely hairy, becoming light gray. 

tlitit get ta~igled in them. 

The leaves have finely linir , pale yello\!- petioles 

%-!% inches long. The f 

In forests and tllickets in the dry const and lime- 

)lades nre tliin or a 

little thickened and not tootlied on ed es. 

stone regions of southern and western Puerto Rico. 

Flowers are male and femnle on di f erent trees 

Also conimon in JIo~ia and in Cnja de Ifuertos. 

(dioecious) in terminal brnncl~ed clusters (cymes) PUISLIG FORESTS.-GUR~~~BCB, Guiinicn, Sus6a. 

on R stalk abont. 1 inch long. IInle flowers are RANGE.-I

81. Corcho bob0 

Natural slze. 

Pisattia albida (Hcimerl) Rritton

FOUR00'CLOCK FAMILY (NYCTAGINACEAE) 

32. Corcho blanco, water mampoo Pisonia subcordata Sw. 

A medium-sized to large tree recognized by : (1) 

opl~osi t e, us111~11y Iiirge, elliptic or ne:lrly round 

lenves 21h-8 (sometimes 10) inches long :und ne:~rly 

as brotid, t~~ostly roun(le(1 nt apes nn(l ro~~nded or 

oftoll 11 little heart-shaped at base; (2) gnly 

smoot.ll trunlr and brnncllcs; (3) nunierous greenish 

flotvels crowded in stalked 11;lll-like clustets 

l-ly, incl~es in diameter, ~nnle ancl fenlalo on clifferent 

trees (dioecious) ; and (4) nnrrn~v clr-y fruits 

:?,/R-l/.. inch 1on.g and inore tlinrl 3/16 i~lcll in diameter, 

10-angled, with 5 ro~vs of dotlike glands ne:~ 

apex. 

This decidnous tree hcolnes 40-50 feet in heigllt, 

wit11 short, often thick trli~ik to 2-3 feet in diameter, 

stout bmnclies, and ~*ounded cron-n. The 

twigs ntw green and finely rusty-brown hairy ~vlien 

young, becoming LT:L~ nnd ston t.. 

Tlie leaves linve stont, mnnd petioles 1-11h inclles 

long. I3lndes nlr, \vitliont teetl! on edges, r~lstybrown 

Iiairy \vlien yoang but. l~corning hairless or 

nearl so, shiny yello\v green above and beneath 

el1111 &lit green with piiikish .lain veins. 

Flotvers appearing \vitll new leaves genernlly in 

e:trly spring bnt. sonietilnes in summer. The terminal 

:~ncl I:~ter:ll cluste~s of fragrant finely hairy 

flo~vers lir~\~e stnlks 1-2 inclles long. Male flowers 

hare hll-sli:q)ed, 5-tootlied c:llys incll long and 

8-10 longer sttlmens. Icemale flowers, less 

cro~vclecl, consist of tubul:~r 5-toothed calyx about 

1/8 inch long 1111ION s,rar~s.--corcho, palo bob 

(Puerto Rico); mampoo, loblolly (Virgin Islnnds) 

; i~i:~po~i (St.. 13nrth6lemy) ; mapou pis 

(Gndeloupe) ; muppoo (Dntch \Vest Indies).

32. Corcho blnnco, water mampoo 

Natural slze. 

Pisonia aubcwdata Sm. 

91

FOURIO'CLOCK FAMILY (NYCTAGINACEAE) 

33. Corcho, black mampoo Torrubia f ragrans (Durn.-Cours.) Standley 

-4 small to medium-sized tree charncterized by: The sapwood is whitish and soft. The wood is 

(1) opposite, obovnte or elliptic leaves, usually litt lo used in Puerto Rico and elsewliere has even 

broadest above middle, -2-6 inches long and 1-21,$ been considered unsuitable for fuel. 

inclies broad, short-pointed at the apex and gradn- In forests of the moist coast, moist limestone, 

ally narrowed at base to n short petiole; and (2) itnil lo~ver mountain regions of Puerto Rico. Also 

clustered, cylindrical, fleshy, 1-seeded fruits xylh hIonn, Icacos, Culebrn, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. 

inch long and 3/10 inch in dinmeter, red, tnrnuig .John, Tortoln, and Virgin Gordn. 

black, covered by the calyx with 5 teeth at apex. I'uetrc PORE~TS.-Cambalnche, Guajatacn, Lutin 

ever-peen tree 2040 feet high and to 20 quillo, Rio Abajo, Vegn. 

inches in trunk diameter, with rounded crpn-n. R,\NGE.-Almost throughout West Indies (eu- 

The bark is smootliisl~, grny or brown. Inner bark cept Dnlin~iias) from Cuba and Jamaica to Greis 

light brown, slightly bitter. Twigs yello~l- green nnda, Barbados, and Tobago, and in Bonaire, 

when young, becoming gray. 

Curnqao, and Xruba. Also in northern South 

The lenres hare yellow-green petioles 4/8-3/s America from Colombia to Venezuela and 

inch long and slightly thickened and succulerit Guinnns. 

blades, the edges not tootlied, hairless, green or OTHEI~ co~r~ron NAMES.-P~~O de corcho, majayello~v 

green and sliditly shiny above and paler gun cle montl, majagun, emnjagun (Puerto Rico) ; 

1)enenth. 

perico, palo de periw (Dominican Republic) : 

Flowers are male arid femnle on different trees barrellorno (Cuba) ; estribo (Colombia) ; mapoo 

(clio~cioas), numerous in sttdltecl, erect, mostly ter- (St,. Lucin, Grenadines) ; beefwood (Barbados) ; 

n~inrrl, branched clusters (panicles) 34 inches III~L 100 (St. Uarth6lemy). 

loll r and 1%-3 inches broad, sliort-stalked or ~loT,\nIc.\r, BTSOSTI.-~~~~~~~ fingm~ld DU~.stil 

f kless, greenish, minutely hairy, slightly frn- COUIS. 

pn~nt. I\Iale flowers IIRVC ft~t~nel-shnped &toothed -1 second species of this genus, known ns baceillys 

%6 inch long ant] Ci-10 longer stamens. rrellorno (Totmbia diacolor (Spren .) Britton), 

Female flon-ers consist of nilrro\v tubular %toothed is distinguisl~ed by the oblong or e f liptic leaves 

calyx I/s inch long and pistil with ovary, slender rounded at apex and usually smaller, 1-21/2 inches 

style, i~nd n111ch I~mncl~etl stigmll. Flot\vers ant1 long and y2-11/2 inches broad. This shrub or small 

fruits appear fro111 early spring to summer. tree is recorded from Puerto Riw and Desecheo.

33. Corcho, black marnlm Torrubia fragrans (Durn.-Cours.) Standley 

Natural slte.

MAGNOLIA FAMILY (MAGNOLIACEAE) 

Key to the 2 native species, both illtlstrnted (Nos. 34-35) 

A. 1.enres broadly elliptic to nenrly round. abruptly short-pointed, hnirless-34. Magnolia portorfcetiui8. 

Ah. Leaves ovate or elliptic, short- or long-pointed, the lower surface silky gay green with flne haim-35. Magtiolio 

uplendens. 

34, Jagiiilla Magnolia portoricensis Be110 

This handso~iie tree of tho centrnl ancl western 011s short-stalked stamens 1, inch loll . Many 

niountnins of Puerto Rice is eirsily recogiiizecl by: p:llo yello\v pistils x-s inch long, mcl f with 1- 

( 1) showy, very f rngri~~it, tvllite flowers 2-5 inches c~c~~ed ovnry and curved style, are spirnlly arircross 

the 7 or 8 petals, t)orne singly iln~l terniinnl ; riinged oli 21 centr:rl asis :j! inch high. 

(3) leiithery, l)ro:~

-- 

Natural size. 

YagnoIia portoricensfs Bello 

95

MAGNOLIA FAMILY (MAGNOLIACEAE) 

35. Laurel sabino Magnolia splendens Urban 

when freshly cut, later becoming brown, the sa 

wood whitish. Growth rings and dark strea & 

ncld to the figure. The wood is moderately heavy 

Native on1 in the Luquillo Alountains of eastern 

Puerto giieo, this lnrge tree is cl~arncterized 

by: (1) young twigs and commonly the lower surfnces 

of the la~thery, ovnte or elliptic leaves silky (specific pavity 0.50), hard, moderately strong, 

or satiny gray green with n dense coat of fine hairs with n cl~nrncteristic spicy pungent odor. It is 

giving n grny cnst to the crown of the tree; (2) easy to work but susceptible to nttnck by dry-wood 

twigs ringed at the nodes; (3) pro~ninent narrow termites. Rate of nir-seasonin is rapid, and 

long-pointed terminal buds; and (4) lnrge, showy, amount of degrade is minor. dchining characfragrant, 

white flowers 3 inches across the 6 or teristics nre ns follows: planing and sanding are 

more petals, single or 2 or 3 together at ends of fair; and shnping, turning, boring, mortising, and 

twigs. 

resistnnco to screw splitting all are good. 

An evergreen tree becoming 75 feet tall and to The wood is used nlmost entirely for furniture 

4 feet or more in trunk diameter, with narrow nnd cnbinetn~ork. Local demand is greater than 

crown of dark green, spicy folinge, The trunk the limited sup ly. Other suitable uses nre for 

typically roduces numbers of new shoots or suck- veneer, plywoo cf , mill\vork, turning, boat plankers. 

Bar { is gmy, smootl~ish, slightly fissured or inp, constr~iction, and carpentry. 

rough in age, the inner bnrk light brown, gritty, The spicy lenves have served as a condiment. 

and slightly bitter. Twigs become reen and Possibly this species n-ould be suitable as an 

nearly hairless, then brolt-n. Terminal &uds 24% ornnmentnl. 

inches long are covered by a pair of united scales Lnurel sabino is native to an area where tree 

(~t~ipulcs), silky nnd gray green, enclosing the new growth is so slow that production of the timber 

lenf and forming a ring scar upon falling. 

IS not economical. The average trunk diameter 

The leaves are alternate on silky grny-green growth rnte of 46 trees in the natural forest duretioles 

3/J-1 inch Ion . Leaf blades are 4-7 inches Ing n 5-year period was only 0.06 inch er year. 

&ng and 2-3 inches & mad, short- or long-pointed The larger trees of the forest are un cf oubtedly 

at npex and rounded or short-pointed at base, not many centuries old. This, lus the fact that propatoothed 

on edges, thick, and with the upper sur- gntion for planting elsew i' lere is difficult because 

face dark p n and shiny. 

most seeds apparently are sterile, greatly limits 

The flowers shave 3 whitish-green sepals 1% the future of this tree. The species will always 

inches long nnd 6 or more white sprending petals be preserved within a formallv established natuabout 

11/2 inches long, broad and rounded at npex. ral aren within the Luquillo 'Forest, and young 

Stamens are numerous, about 1/2 inch long, short- trees are bin encouraged wherever they appear 

stalked. The many pistils are g/s inch or less in naturally. gvertheless, in moat areas the old 

length, \vith l-celled ovnr and curved style, ovennnture trees are being snlvnged more rapidly 

spirnlly arranged in II coneli i: e center s/8 inch long. khan they are being replaced by nature. 

The elliptic conelike fruits nre about 1% inches Restricted to the upper Luquillo Mountains of 

Puerto Rico, mostly within the Luquillo Forest. 

PUBLIC FoREs~.-tu~uillo. 

RaNa~.-I

35. Laurel sabino 

T 

--- 


\ 

dfaflnolia 8plendcn8 Urban

ANNONA FAMILY (ANNONACEAE) 

Key to the O species illustrated (Nos. 3641) 

A. Fruit 1 from n flo~x~rr, from lllany pistils nnitr(1. 

B. Leaves with tiny pockets on lower leaf surface where side reins join midrib; fruits bearing many fleshy 

spines. 

C. Leaves broadest at middle; fruit with short, straight spines, inedible--36. Anttona molttatla. 

CC. Leaves bronclest beyond middle; frnit with long, curved spines, edible-37. Attnona rntcricata.* 

BB. Lenres \I-itliout pockets; fruits smooth, edible. 

D. Fruit with network of lines on surfnce38. Antiolta reiic~tIata.* 

DD. Fruit conigosed of nlat~y rountled tubercles-30. rln#tosa sqttantosa.* 

AA. Fruits many from a flower, separate, inedible. 

E. Leaves orate to oblong, long-pointwl, thin; fruits with long stalks40. Cananga 0dorata.e 

EE. Leaves oblong, short-p~inted or ronncled at albes, leathery; fruits nearly stalkless-41. Gttatteria Btainii. 

36. Guanitbana cimarrona, wild soursop Annona montana Macfadyen 

Crunniibnna cim:1l*ron:1, n \vild species ~vith inedible 

fruit, is cl~nrncterizecl by : (1) short-stalked 

oblong or elliptic leaves 3-7 inches long :lnd 1%-3 

inches wide, abruptly long-pointed at apex and 

raunded or short,-pointed at base, alternate ancl in 

2 rows; (2) tin airy pockets or pits on the lower 

leaf surfaces 11- f lere " the lateral veins join the midrib; 

(3) greenish broad flon-ers single or paired 

on older twigs, about 1-1% inches long, composed 

of 3 heart-shaped, broad, short-pointed, thick 

fleshy outer petals; ancl (4) nearly round or, eggshaped 

green to yello~~ish fruit 21h-5 inches 111 dl- 

:meter, n.it11 Inany short straight fleshy spines and 

yello\\-is11 inedible pulp. 

small deciduous tree to 20 feet in I~eight, with 

nn irregular spreading crown. The pray or brown 

bark is srnootliisl~, with misecl clots (lenticels), beconling 

slightly fissured and slightly rough. Inner 

bark is l)ro\vn and tasteless. The t\vigs are bro\vn. 

The petioles are 1/4-3/S inch long. R1:lcles are 

slightly thicke~~ed and leathery, the edges \vithout 

teeth, shiny dark green :tbove, and paler light 

green beneath. 

The stout flower stalks about 3h incli long are 

borne on older twigs. There are 3 broad, pointed, 

finely hairy sep:tls abont 3 is nl~nost ttwteless but cnn be eaten. 

Tho mood, which is very lightweight, ll~tls been 

used for floats of fishing nets rind for bottle 

stoppers. 

In addition to the 3 following species of cultivated 

fruit trees, a fern other species of this genus 

11:tve been introduced experimentally as fruit trees. 

The generic name has been spelled Anona also.

30. Gunndbunu cin~arrona, wild .soursop 

Natural size.

posed of the numerolls united pistils eacli endin 

111 n fleshy spine or short bnse of a spine '/la inc f 1 


37. Guanibana, soursop 

Annona muricata L.* 

G~lnnribans or soursop, u cnltirated and wild 

, 

or liiore in length, ~vhicli grows from tlie style. 

fruit tree, is best kno\vn by its edible green fleshy I . lie juicy, slightly sour, creani white, edible pulp 

fruits 6-8 inches 1011 nricl nbont 4 inches broad, cont:iius uitlng shiny black or i row oblong seeds 

elliptic or egg-sliapec f , with mnny curred flesli l,5-96 ilicl~ long, eacli developing from a pistil. 

s ines. Other distniguisliing clinl:acters are : ( 1 

R 

7 ITlo\vering commo~ily from J~ilie to October, the 

t e oblong or obovnte lenves broadest beyoncl fn~it ripening ~nni~ily in the fall. 

~~~iddle, short-pointed at both ends, slightly thick- 'I'llc s:il)wood is ~~hitisli, nncl the I~eiirt\rood is 

ened and curved up on both sicles of midrib, shiny I)ro\vn. The wood is soft, liglit~veiglit (specific 

green above and paler beneath, wit11 n strong scent gniuity O.4), and not duriible. The wood, little 

\\.lien cruslied and nlteninte in 2 rows; (2) minute r~sed in Puerto Rico, lins sei~ed else\vliere for ox 

round pockets on tlie lotver lenf surface where the yokes. 

side veins join tlie midrib; and (3) the l:wge, Vnluable for tlie fruits, \vhich :Ire eaten fresh 

fleshy, pale jello\v or salfur-coloi~d flowers nearly it~ltl osed ill making drinks, ice cream, and pre- 

1% mclies long :lnd broad, &angled from the 3 serves. Inlniilture fruits have been cooked ns regelieart-shaped 

concave outer petals, borne singly. t:il)les. Ile:ives, flon-ers, fruits, and seeds hare been 

-1 snin11 evergreen tree nttaining 20 feet in e~~iployed else\\-here in medicines. ,111 insecticide 

Iieiplit iincl 6 inrlles in trunk diameter. The bark for lice lins hen made from the leaves. Easily 

is brow11 and smoothish, the pinkish inner bar! ~)ro~>i~g;ttetl from seeds tind rapidly gro\\-ing. 

tnsteless. Twigs :Ire bro~vn or my, bearing ml- Plstited for tlie fruits and wild or naturalized 

sate ~aised dots (lenticels). 'he short petioles in thickets, pastures, and tilong roads throughout 

lire l/s-.5/8 inch lonrr and lenf blades 2W-6 inches Puerto Rico bnt commonest on the coast and the 

long itlid 1-3 inc& bland, the edges \vitliout lower southern slopes of tlie Cordillern. Also in 

t cetl~, and hairless or netirly so. 

Yieques, St. Croix, St. Thonins, St. John, Tortoln, 

Flo~vers are terminal or lateral, on stout green t~nd Virgin Gorda. 

stalks inch long, and hare n strong pungent R.~xo~.-J\~idely planted nnd naturalized in 

odor. There are 3 minute nnd inconspicuo~~s 

t 

hrond green sepals l/s inch long; 3 pale yellow 

ropicnl ~~gions of America and in n-estern Africa. 

outer petals lieart-slinpecl, ointed, concnre, nenrly 'I'he lilti ire region perhaps is West Indies though 

2 inches lon~ ancl I/s inch t \ ick, fitting together at not definitely known. Througliout West Indies 

ed es in bu$and rough 011 outside, 3 smaller, pale cscept Biiliamas and from Aiexico to Brnzil. Comye 

F low, rounded, concave, inner petals nearly 11,L 11io11 :it Key \Vest but infrequent on mninland of 

inches long rind less thick; nnd 11 hemispherical sout lieni Florida. 

axis bearing very ninny cro~vded stamens %a inch OTIIER COBfMON ~~~f~s.-gllnli6ban1~ (Spanish) : 

long rind Iiilnierons compnctetl nnrrow ~~liite pistils gnanabn (Guatemala, El Salvador) ; cntoche, 

:!/1,\ i~icli long wit11 sticky stigmns. 

rnt~rclie (Venezuela) ; soursop (English) ; corossol 

The Iaree, nronintic, fleshy fruits (nggrepte (I-Initi, French West Indies) ; corossolier (French 

fruits) we~gliing as m11c11 11s .2-5 pounds are com- Ouinnn) ; sorsnka, zuurzak soursap (Dutch West 

Tntlies) ; zuurzak, (Surintlni) ; grnviciln, guana- 

I):tno, corn~Io de rninha (Brazil) .


38. Corazbn, custard-apple 

CorazBn or custard-apple is a cultivated and escaped 

fruit tree distinguished by : (1) shorkpetiolecl 

lance-shnped to oblong leaves. Slh-8 lnclles 

long and 1-2 inches wide, long-pointed at apex 

and short-pointed at base, alternate and in 2 rows; 

(2) light green narrow flowers x-1 inch long, with 

3 narrowly oblong fleshy petals not opening 

widely, l~sually n few together in n droop~~ig lateral 

cluster; and (3) rounded or heart-shaped 

smooth reddish-brown fruit 3-5 inches in diameter, 

with a network of lines on surface, and with 

sweet, pale yellow, tallomlike. edible pulp. 

A small decirlnous tree to 25 feet tall and to 1 

foot. in trunk diameter, with s very spreading 

crown. The gray or brown bark is smoothish, 

becoming shallowly furrowed. Inner bark is light 

brown, fibrous, and almost tasteless. Twigs are 

green ancl finely hairy when young, becoming 

brawn or ,rgra;y, 

Petioles ale x-v8 inch long. The blades, not 

toothed at edges, are thin, dull green above and 

sligl~lltly paler or gray green beneath, finely hairy 

when young. 

Flower cll~sters arise from a very short. lateral 

twig bnt not :it. base of a leaf, the slender flower 

stalks about 1 inch long. Flowers have n strong 

fragrance. There are 3 broad, pointed, brownish 

hairy sepals less than Y8 inch long; 3 narrow fleshy 

petals q&-1 inch long, less than 1/4 inch wide, and 

I,& inch thick, minutely hairy, light peen, the 

inside keeled :uld pale yellow with purplish or red- 

dish spot, at. base, turning brown and fulling, and 

9 inner petals 21s minute pointed scales less than 

% inch long; very many t.iny narrow ~vhitish stalnens 

less than Wo inch long crowded together; 

and numerous tiny separate pistils l/lu inch long 

wit11 hairy greenish ovaries and pale yellow 

?;ligl~tly sticky stigmas in n conical central mass. 

The base of the fri~it is sunken nest to the stout 

stalk. The aggregate fruit, formed from many 

pistils, has a coarse network of rhomboidnl or hex- 

:~go~itll markin~q wl~llich show the individual ovaries. 

The soft sweet is11 edible pulp adheres closely 

to the seeds. There are many oblong shiny dark 

bron7n seeds itbout 1, inch long. Recorded in 


Annona reticulata L* 

flower from June to September and in fruit from 

Se tember to April. 

~apwood is light brown. The lightweight weak 

wood is little used in Puerto Rico. Elsewhere ox 

yokes hrlve been made from it. 

I\llough this species is wyidely cultivated as a 

fruit tree, other minor uses have been recorded. 

The pulp is used in home remedies. The powdered 

seeds serve as an insecticide to kill lice. A strong 

fiber can be obtained from the bark. The leaves 

i~nd branches reportedly yield a blue or black dye 

tlnd have been employed in tanning. 

Estensively planted around houses and spreading 

in rowdsicles, pastures, and forests, commonest 

in the coastal regions of Puerto Rico. Also in 

Yieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and 

Tortola. It is not known whether this species is 

native here. 

PU~LIC ~on~s~s.-,4guirre, Boquerdn, Cambalache, 

Gunjatacn, GuSnicn, Luquillo, Rio Abajo, 

San Juan, Susila. 

MUNICIIBALITIES WHERE EBPECIALLY COMMON.- 

11,88. 

RAXGE.--Native of tropical America, apparently 

in West Indies and Central America, the botani- 

c:ll type specimen from Jamaica. Now widely cul- 

tivated as a fruit tree north to southern Florida 

and spreading or llatumlized over tropical Amer- 

ica through West Indies and from Mexico to Peru 

and Brazil. Introducecl in the Old World tropics 

and becoming naturalized there. 

OTHER COlI3ION NADZES.--CO~%Z~~ (Spanish 

it1arn6n (Dominican Republic) ; mam6n (Cuba 

nnonn (Centrnl America) ; unonillo, anona colo- 

r:tda (Guatemala) ; anona coloradn (El Salva- 

dor) ; anona de redecilla (Honduras, Nicaragua) ; 

sncin, ailonillo (Costa Rica) ; an6n (Panama 

:1n6n pel611 (Colombia) ; chirimoys (Venezuela 

custard-apple, bulloclr-heart (United States, Eng- 

lish) ; coeur cle boeuf (Jamaica) ; caclliman coeur 

boeuf (Haiti) ; cacllirntln coeur-de-boeuf (Guade- 

lonpe) ; knsjoenia custard-a ple (Dutch West In- 

dies) ; comqito de boi (nraxi P ). 

Colrirr~on names in different languages describe 

the hcl~rt-shaped fruit.

38. Corazbn, custard-apple 

Natural size. 

Annona reticulala L. 

103

39. Anbn, sugar-apple 

Ancin or sugar-apple, well known for its sweet- 

ish edible fruits, is a cultivated tree which also 

grows spontaneously. Its distinguishing charac- 

ters are: (1) twigs slightly zigzag, green and 

densely hairy when young; (2) sl!ort-stalked 

lance-shaped to oblong leaves 2-6s inches long 

and 94-2 inches broad, alternate in 2 rows; (3) 

yellow-peen narrow flowers 6/s-1 inch long with 

3 narrowly oblong petals, usually a few in a lateral 

cluster ; and (4) nearly round or heart-shaped yel- 

lowish-green fruit 21h-4 inches in diameter, cov- 

ered with a whitish bloom but soon turning black- 

ish where rubbed and bruised, composed of numer- 

ous rounded tubercles or raised segments, with 

whitish, sweet,. juicy, custardlike or creamy pulp. 

A small deciduous tree attaining 10-20 feet in 

height, with broad open crown of irregularly 

spreading branches. The bark is brown, smooth- 

ish to sli htly fissured into plates. Inner bark is 

light ye1 f ow and slightly bitter. The twigs be- 

come brown with light brown dots (lenticels). 

The green hairy petioles are 1/4-'/z inch long. 

Blades are short- or long-pointed at apex and 

short-pointed or rounded at base, the sides some- 

times slightly unequal, the edges without teeth, 

inconspicuously hairy at least when young, mi- 

nutely dotted when examined with a lens, thin, dull 

green to dark green above, and beneath pale blue 

green and covered with a bloom. 

There are 1-4 fragrant flowers on slender hairy 

stnlks in short lateral clusters but not at base of 

a leaf. The 3 pointed p en hairy sepals or calyx 

lobes are about l/lo inch long; the 3 thick and 

flesliy outer pet.als Yrl inch long and % inch wide, 

yellow green, slightly hairy, the inside light yellow 

and keeled with a purplish or reddish spot at the 

thin enlarged base, and 3 minute pointed scales as 

inner petals; very numerous crowded vhite sta- 

mens less than 1/1= inch long in a central mass; and 

many separate pistils 1/16 inch long, with light 

green ovary and wllite styles, crowded on the raised 

axis. 


T" 

Annona squamosa L.* 

The a6gre te fruit is formed from the nurnerous 

pistils o a flower, which are loosely united, 

soft, and more distinct than in other species of the 

genus. Each pistil forms a tubercle, mostly 1/43! 

inch long and j/4-1/2 inch wide and a separate thin 

edible ulp, in which is imbedded 1 oblong shiny 

hlackisl: or dark brown seed 1/ 2 -5 /s inch long In 

flower and fruit nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is light yellow. The heartwood is 

brownish. The wood is soft, lightweight, and 

weak. 

The fruit pulp is eaten raw and may be used to 

prepare drinks or sherbet. The green fruits, seeds, 

and leaves have insecticidal properties. Else- 

where, the leaves, shoots, and roots have been used 

in local remedies. 

Planted in Puerto Rico for the edible fruits, 

spreading from cultivation in roadsides and val- 

leys and also in forests where possibly native. 

Cornlnonest on the dty coast of Puerto Rico. Also 

in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

Tortoln, and Virgin Gorda. Grown more in the 

Virgin Islands tllan in Puerto Rico. 

RANGE.-Native of tropical America, but the 

original home uncertain. Named botanically from 

Jamaica. Now widely cultivated as a fruit tree 

and spontnneousor naturalized through the tropics 

of the world. Planted or naturalized in southern 

Florida, including Florida Keys, throughout West 

Indies, from Mexico to Brazil, and in the Old 

World. 

OTHER CoMnroN ~~nr~s.-an6n (Spanish) ; Saramuyu, 

cliirmoya (Guatemala) ; anona de Guatemala 

(Nicaragua) ; tm6n dom6stic0, an6n de azGcar 

(Colombia) ; chirimoya (Ecuador) ; sugar-apple, 

sweetsop (United States, English) ; applebush 

(Grenadines) ; cachimnn cannelle (Haiti) ; pomrne 

car~nelle (Guadeloupe, French Guiann) ; scqpappel 

(Dutch West Indies) ; kaneelappel (Surmam) ; 

ata, fruta de conde, pinha (Bmzil) .

30. Anbn, sugar-apple 

Natural size.

40. 11611-illn, ylang-ylang 


Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thorns.* 

This East Indian ornamental tree is identified tl~an inch long, the stigmas in n sticky mass. 

by: (1) branches and twigs drooping and bearing Several fruits developing from tl flower have allenves 

cl~:~racteristicnlly.~n 2 rows; (2) thin ovate 111ost tasteless flesh and 11sual1y 4 or 5 rounded flat 

to oblong leaves long-pointed at apex mlcl rounded light brow11 seeds inch or more in diameter 

nt base; (3) odd, strongly fragrant, large thong11 (6,400 to a pound). In flower and fruit through 

inconspicuous, yello\\- or eenish-yellow flowers most of the year. 

with very nJsron7 and f$tlg-poieted drooping The snp~vood is whitish. The soft wood is not 

petals 3-5 inches long and only %-1/2 inch broad, durt~ble. Where the trees are native, small canoes 

1-3 ttt base of a leaf; and (4 distinctive fruit, :~ui

Natural size. 

Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thoma


41. Haya minga Guatteria blainii (Griseb.) Urban 

A tree of the hi her mountains, haya mine is 

distinyislied by : ?I) small, lentliery, dark green, 

oblong, fragrant leaves in 2 rows on slightly zigznp 

blackish twigs which frequently are almost lionzontal; 

(2) tlie greenish-yellow flowers about 1% 

inches across the 5 spreading fleshy petals and 

borne singly on long stalks at base of leaves; and 

(3) cluste~s of mnny elliptic berries about 1/2 inch 

long and y, inch thick from 1 flower. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree becoming 20-40 

feet in' height and 1-11/2 feet in trunk diameter, 

rarely larger. Sometimes the trunk is buttressed 

at base and often it is irre lar in cross section, 

much thicker on 1 side. T f" ie bark is brown and 

rough, becoming dark and purplish black. Inner 

bark is pink nyitli spicy taste. Tlie twigs are minutely 

hairy wlien young. 

Petioles of the alternate leaves are only 1/8-% 

inch long. Blades are 11h-3 inches long and 5/s- 

1% inclies vide, stiff, short -pointed or rounded at, 

apex and short-pointed at base, slightly turnetl 

under at margins, and beneath yellow green with 

veins mised. 

The flowers have a slight fragrance. Flower 

stalks are 3/4-1% inches long. Tlie cnlyx has 3 triangular 

lobes s/16 inch long turned backwards; tlie 

6 greenish-yellow, elliptic, finely hairy petals are 

1/2-7/8 inch long; there are numerous crowded 

small stamens less than '/la incli long in a circular 

mass 1/, inch across; and a central group of mnny 

small pistils less tlinn y8 inch long, each with a 

1-celled 1-ovuled ovary. 

The fruit is com osed of a cluster of many nearly 

stalkless, spren$ng, short-pointed berries, ewh 

containing 1 large shiny brown elli tic seed. 

Flowring and fruiting more than once &wing the 

year. 

The sapwood is light brown or whitish. The 

\I-ood is hard and heavy (specific gravity 0.8). 

Formerly it was used for construction but now 

chiefly for posts, since few large trees remain. 

In forests of tlie upper Luquillo and Cordillera 

i+egions of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC m~~8~s.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Maricuo, Susha, Toro Negro. 

RANGE.-Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COSIJIOS SAXES.-nep low haya 

(Puerto Rico) ; yaya (Dominican Republic) ; 

purio fangnr, purio prieto, ceda (Cuba) ; bois noir 

(Haiti). 

' BOT~NICAL SYNONYM.-C a n a n g a b l a in i i 

(Griseb.) Britton. 

Hays blanca (Guatteriu caribaea Urban; syno- 

nym Canunga caribaea (Urban) Britton), a re- 

Intetl forest tree of tlie Luquillo region of Puerto 

Rico, has larger long-pointed leaves 3-81/2 inches 

long and l1/,-23/4 inches wide.

41. Haya minga 

Natural size.

LAUREL FAMILY (LAURACEAE) 


A. Fnlit without n cup at bnse. 

Is. Fruit elliptic. I)inck. 1-1s inches long, inedibl+l!?. Rciluchnticdia pcndtrla. 

ItII. Fruit 1wur-shnl)etl or nenrly round, yellorv grwu, 44 iuches long, edible (avoendo)--51. Pereca ameticana.. 

'\A. Fruit rvitl~ cup nt bnse. 

C. lanven very narrow, lance-shnped43. Licaria salicilolia. 

CC. INnvc-s Imonder, rllostly elliptic. 

D. I.enves brondest below or near middle, mostly long-pointed. 

E:. Fruits 1111111y. rc11111cl. riboul "14; inrt~ ill d~nll~c-lt-r, tlle c~l) rovered rvith warts; leaves often with 

sc.nt teretl rnisecl clots (grills) -4s. Orolc~tt l~~rrc~orl~lott. 

EIO. Fruits fe!rs or severnl, jrJ inch or more in dinmcter; lenvcs without raised dots. 

F. Fnlit cup nbont ns long an brond. 

G. Fruit cup nbor~t 1h inch long nnd brond4-l. Licaria Criatidra. 

GG. Fn~it cup nbout inch long rind t1roacl45. A'rclattdra coriacca. 

FF. Fnlit cup very short. flat, bearing ~nlgx- 1obc.c turned bnck-47. Ocotca floribunda. 

IID. J,envw brondest beyond middle, short-pointed or rounded nt nlsx. 

11. 1,envc~s c+lusterecl at or npnr rntls of tlvigs, 1%-3% inches lol~g-50. Orofra spallrrrlata.' 

1111. J,t*nrea I~orne si~igly, 3-7 inches long. 

I. J.rurcs with lo\ver surface densely hniry, reddl811 Ijrown tvhen young but becoming my46. 

Ocotca crr~tcato. 

11. Lenvev sliiny or1 both sides, hnirlcss or nearly so, veins mostly reddish tinged near base--49. 

Ocotea ntosckata. 

42. Guajdn 

Disting~~isliecl by: (1) spicy foliage, twigs, and 

hark : (I) bnrk on Ii~rge trunks peeling off nnd exposing 

1-ilsty reddish-brown inner layels; (3) elliptic, 

slightly leathery lenves often broadest beyond 

middle, short-pointed nt both ends, much 

perforilted I)?. insects on many trees: (4) greenishyellow 

fl o\vers about % inch long and broad, ser- 

~rnl in n loose, long-stalked, branched, laternl 

cluster 9-5 inclics long: and (5) the long elliptic 

I)l:lck fruits 1-11/2 inches long and I,$ inch in dii~lneter, 

tvitllout :I cup nt bnse, fleshy iind 1-seeded, 

borne singly. 

h ~nedium-sized evergreen tree attaining 75 feet 

in height and 21h feet in trunk diameter. The 

dnrk I)m\vn bnrk is slnoothish :lnd slightly fissured, 

nbol~t 1h inch tliiclr, the inner bark light 

brown. The twigs r\re green and minutely hairy 

when young. 

The 111 ternnte leilves linve petioles 3/g-% indl 

long. Lenf blades stre 3?/2-61/2 inches long and 

2-3yt inches brond, hnirless or nenrly so at maturity, 

tho edges not toothed, green on upper surfare, 

ilnd paler or covered with n bloom,benenth. 

'I'he flower clusters (pnnicles) have fit~ely hairy 

brnnches bearing several short-stiilked flowers. 

The greenish-yellow calyx is finely hairy and hns 

(i lobes less th1111 inch long; there :ire 9 stntnens 

rilrcl ndditional sterlle stnmens (st:lminodes) ; nnd 

pistil of 1-celled, 1-ovuled ovary with short style. 

Beilsclrmiedia pendula (Sw.) Benth. 8r Hook. f. 

Fn~its (berries) nre green, turning black at maturity, 

fleshy, with 1 large seed. As some common 

nntrles suggest, they resemble small nvocndos and 

olivc9 slightly. Flowering - and fruiting - from 

spring to- fnll. 

The snpwood is ~ nle brown. nnd the heartwood 

is pinlrisli brown. -The \vmd 'is modemtely hard, 

strong, nnd henvy (specific ,grnvity 0.54). It is 

vely sllsceptible to dnmnge by dry-wood termites. 

Rnts of nir-sensoning is slow, and nmount of degrnde 

is minor. hfncllining chnrncteristics are as 

follows: plnning, sllnping, sanding, and resistance 

to scren7 split tlnp nre good; turning and mortising 

:Ire fair; nnd boring is poor. The wood is used for 

shipbuilding, genelnl constnlction, flooring, furniture, 

cnbinetmnking, nnd carpentry. 

It is reported thnt tllc fruits are eaten by hogs 

ancl other nnimnls in Cnbn. 

In lower Lu ilillo nnd Cordillera regions of 

Puerto Rico. A 1 so in St. Thomns. 

PUISLIC FORESTS.-Cnrite, Luquillo. 

Rana~.-&.enter Antilles, St. Thomas, and 

Lesser Antilles from St. Icitts t,o St. Vincent. 

OTHER COBIB~ON ~.\~~~s.-n~~llncatillo, aguncate 

cimarr611, cedro mncho (Puerto Rico) ; a 

R nmarilln (Dominican Republicr,",?kt": 

"'7" ni lo, nguncntillo, curnvar?, mulnto (Cuba) ; slogwood, 

slu -mood (Jnmnwa); laurier madame 

(~ominica! 

. 

ROTANICAI, RYNONYDL. - RufeZandia pendula 

(Sw.) Nees.

Natural size. 

Bcffuchnticdia po~dttla (St\'.) Benth. & Hook. f. 

111


43. Canelilla Licaria salicifolia (Sw.) Kosterm. 

This species is readily distinguished from other lower surface remaining finely hairy with a neb 

trees of the laurel family by the narrow leaves. work of many raised sm:tll veins. 

Other characters for identification include: (1) The small flower clusters (panicles) a.t, leaf bases 

spicy foliage, twigs, and bark; (2) narrow acute have several flo\vers on densely hairy branches. 

pointed cfown on most trees; (3) lance-shaped Calyx has 6 hairy lobes less than +46 inch long; 

leathery leaves, dark green or shiny green on upper there are 3 stamens with additional sterile stamens 

surface, 

I 

and gray green and finely hairy beneath; (st:~minodes) ; and pistil of 1-celled ovary and 

4) densely reddlsh-brown hairy young twigs; slender style. The elon te fleshy fruits (berries) 

5) small, whitish- reen hairy flowers more than hare a single large seep Flowering and fruiting 

j', inch long and ! road, several in short lateral from latter part of February to September. 

clusters; and (6) blackish elliptic fleshy fruit 6/s The sapwood is light brown. The heavy mood 

inch long and 1/4 inch b~soad, in a spreading gray (specific gravity 0.8) is used only for poles, posts, 

cup almost 1/4 inch long and broad, with double and fuel in Puerto Rico. 

rim. 

In the moist limestone, dry coast, and lower 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree to 50 Cordillera region chiefly in western Pnerto Rico. 

feet high with a straight trunk to 1 foot in cli- Also in Vieques, It. Croir, St. Thomas, St. John, 

ameter. The dark gray or reddish-brown smooth- and Tortola. 

is11 bark has many small warts (lenticels) and peels PUBLIC mms~s.-Cambalache, Guajataca, Guoff 

in large irregular flakes 1-6 inches long. Inner rinica, Maricao, Rio Abajo, SusGa. 

bark is light bro~m, spicy and bitter. Older twigs R.~NGE.-Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, and 

nre slender, brown, and Bairlcss. 

Lesser Antilles from Antigua to Martinique. 

The dternnte leaves have short reddish-brown OTHER COMMON ~~arm.--cnnela, canela del pais, 

hairy petioles 4/8-3/8 inch long. Blades are canelillo (Puerto Rico) ; bois chique, bois fourmi 

inches long and $4-1 inch broad, long-pointed art (Gundeloupe) . 

apex and short-pointed at Lase, not toothed on BOTANICAL ~~~o~nf.-AerodiClidiurn 8alicifoedges, 

the upper surface becoming hairless, and the litrqn (Sw.) Griseb.

43. Canelilla Llcaria 8alicifofoIia (Sw.) Kosterm. 

Natural size. 

113

44. Palo de misanteco, Gulf licaria 

Found 1oc;llly in nortltern parts of Puerto Rico, 

this species is characterized by : (1) spicy foliage, 

twigs, and btlrlc; (2) twigs reclclish when young; 

(3) narron~ly elliptic lerivest slightly thickened, 

mnny \\-it11 a long tapering po~nt and short-pointed 

nt base; (4) the snlnll svhttish flo\vers more than 

1/1,3 inch long and brond, lttnll-y in bmnched clnsters 

11h-3 inches long j and (5) the elliptic pet1 

or dark blue fruits :% ~ncll or more in len#h, in a 

large thick red cup about 1h inch long arid broad 

wit11 double rim or margin. 

A smnll evergreen tree to 30 feet high and 8 

inches in diameter nyith brond rounded crown. 

The bark is dark brown and flaky or scaly. The 

slender twigs :Ire finely 11niry and with raised dots 

(lenticels) . 

The leaves arc alternate on petioles %-I,$ inch 

lotig. I3latlcs ;tre 3-5 incl~es long and 1-1% inches 

broatl, the edges not tootl~ed, shiny dark green 

itbove, paler beneath. 

Flo~rer clusters (panicles) ale terminal and latcri~l, 

and have groups of small flowers on short, 

slender, liairy stalks. The tubular calyx has 6 

lobes: tlie 3 stamens itre united into a fleshy hairy 

tube or columti; and tlie pistil ltr~s a 1-celled ov:lry, 

slender style, and protruding flattened stigma. 


Licaria triandra (Sw.) Kosterm. 

The fleshy fruits (berries) are few in a cluster 

itnd 1-seeded. The cup has a second rim about 4/8 

inc.11 below the ed~e and is warty. Recorded in 

flo~~~er in Riay and in fruit in Mag and July. 

Tllo woocl is clescribed as ash colored or greenish 

yellow, strong, and llenvv (specific gravity 0.9). 

ITsecl for posts in Puerto Rico. Reported as suitable 

for interior construction and used for matches 

iintl niatcltboses in Dominican Republic. 

This species has been suggested as a shade tree 

for soutliern Florida and Cuba. 

In forests of the moist limestone region of 

Paerto Rico, Also in Vieques. 

PUISLIC FOREST.-Guajatncn. 

RANGE. - Greater Antilles and blnrtinique. 

.tlso very rare in southern Florida. 

OTHER CO~MON ~~11~s.-misnnteco, palo misnnteco 

(Puerto Rico) ; cigun prietn (Dominican Re- 

; lebisa, leviza, laurel de loma, laurel 

rtnco (Cuba) ; Gulf licnrin, Gulf misantecn 

(United States) ; sweetmood (Jamaica) ; laurier 

jnnne (Haiti). 

I~OT~INICAL SYE;OXYJIS. - Nisanteca triandra 

( SW. ) Mez, Am*odicZidium trirtndtum ( Sw. ) Luntlel 

I, -4. jnf~raicen~e Nees, Licaria jamaicendG 

( Nees) Rosterm.

44. IBnlo do ~~~isanteeo, GlilP licnrln 

Natural size. 

Licaria triajrdra (Sw.) Kosterm. 

115


45. Laurel avispillo, Jamaica nectandra Nectandra coriacea (Slv.) Griseb. 

This tree is distinguished by: (1) spicy leaves, 

twigs, and bark; (2) shiny green or dark green, 

leathery, narrowly elliptic lenves usually short- 

pointed at both :ipes nnil bnse, p:ile benmtlli with 

n prominent net\vorlr of veins on both surfaces; 

(3) small white flo\ve~s % inch or more across, 

6-lobed, many or sever111 in lateral clusters with 

ink or red brnnches: ancl (4) rolllid or elliptic 

hnckish or dark blue fruits about 1h-% inch long, 

\\-it11 recl cup. 

A small evergreen tree attaining 20-30 feet in 

height and 612 inches in trunk dlameter, with a 

ntlrrow crown. Tlie bark is gnly and s~nootliisli. 

Inner bark is liglit brown. The slender twigs are 

green and slightly hairy when young turning 

q'. 

he leaves are r~lternnte on short petioles M-lk 

inch long. Leaf blatles tlre 2-6 inches long tlnd 

%-2l/z inches brond, thickened and leatheiy (as 

the specific nanie indicates), often bent upward 

slightly on both sides of midrib, not toothed on 

edges. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are 14 inches long, 

bearing the fragrant flowers on slender stalks 

lncli long. The cnlyx has 6 widely spread- 

(Wit is11 Honduras) ; laurier blanc (Haiti) ; bois 

tloux n6gresse, bois violon, bois doux noir (Guadeloupe) 

; s\veetwood (Dutch West Inclies). 

BOTANIC.\I. SYXONY~~S.-Ocoten coriacea (Sw.) 

Ihit ton, 0. catesbyccnlc (Ificlis.) Sarg. 

lpivo other species of this genus, knomn also as 

lu~~rel, itre native in moist forests of Puerto Rico, 

111it1 2 of these reported also from the Virgin 

Islnnds. Aguacatillo (Nectandra antillam 

AIeisn.), of soutllern and enstern Puerto Rico and 

St. Tliomas, lias oblong or broadly lance-shaped 

letlves 3lh-0 inches long and 1-3 inches wide, long- 

~lointed at apes and short-pointed at base, hairless 

except on main vein beneath. 

Laurel cane1611 (N~cfandru krugii &fez), of centnil 

and western mountains, lias the twigs, petioles, 

brnnclies of flower clusters, nncl the flowers rusty 

Iitlirjr; leaves oblong or Ituico-slin ed, 45/2-10 

i~lclies long and 1%-31/! inclies wide, I' ong-pointed 

nt npex ancl sliort-pointecl or ronndecl at base, veins 

sunken in upper surface and proiiiineiit beneath, 

Iiniry beneath and also above iv11en young. 

Laurel prieto (A7ectnndra ?nembrttnacea (Sm.) 

Griseb.) , also called I~iurdillo, Iins young twigs 

rusty hniry and oblong to elliptic leaves 3-10 

Ing, white, finely hairy lobes f/H-3,

45. Laurel nrispillo, Jamnlcn nectnndrn Nectaltdra corfacca (Sw.) Griseb. 

Two-thirds natural slze. 

117


46. Caneldn Ocotea cuneata (Griseb.) Urban 

A distinct laurel recognized by : (1) dense, symmetrical, 

narrow, conicnl crown; (2) spicy laves, 

twigs, and bnrk; (3) tlie young twigs, 

lower surface of yo1111g lettves, flower sta ytioles3 ks, and 

flowers covered witli dense, reddish-brown, rust,y, 

or cinnamon-colored Ilnirs; (4) the leathery obov:tte 

leaves, broadest nenr the abruptly sliortrolntpd 

apex and grnd~~nlly narro\vecl toll-ard the 

ong-pointed, short-stnlked bnse; (5) the s rending 

yello\\-is11 flou-ers 1/ inch across in item1 

brnndied clusters; and ?G) the elliptic fruits 46 

inch long and M inch in dinmeter, with large hemispheric 

double-margined cup. 

Medium-sized evergreen tree to 50 feet hidl and 

1 foot in trunk diameter with straight trunk. Tlie 

bnrk is brown or grny, s~~iootl~isli and slightly 

warty, on large trunks beco~ning slightly furrowed, 

roi~gli, and tliick (1/2 incll). Inner bnrk is brown, 

spicy and bitter. Young twigs nre finely liniry 

nncl sligl~tly angled, nnd older twigs are gray nnd 

hairless. 

. Tlie aromatic lenves are nlternnte on short, stout 

pt ioles 1/*-1/- e incll long. Blndes nre 4-7 inches 

ong and 2-3% inches brond, tliick, not toothed nt 

edges. The upper surface is green or dark green 

nnil finely hairy or nearly Iinirles, and the lower 

surface densely an

Natural size. 

Ocotea crrrrcata (Orleeb.) Urban 

119


47. Laurel espada Ocotea floribunda (Sw.) Mez 

Chmcters distin yishing this species are : (1) 

long branches spreading outward from the trunk; 

(2) twigs, bark, and leaves spicy; (3) the lanceshaped 

or elliptic shiny dark green leaves 2-51, 

inches lonq and 34-234 inches broad, sli htly 

leathery. wlth long-pomted blunt apex and s lort- 

pointed base; (4) midrib and main lateral veins 

commonly yello~vish white ; (5) branched clusters 

of many small greenish-white flowers 1/4 inch 

across In lateral branched clusters; a:~d (6) 

rounded or elliptic black fruits 1/2 inch long with 

very short, flat, double-margined cup bearing the 

cnl x lobes turned back. 

. 

4 mall to medium-sized evergreen tree to 60 feet 

tall and 1 foot in trunk diameter. The light brown 

bark is smoothish ; the inner bark also light brown, 

gritty and spicy to the taste. Twigs are green, 

sparsely hairy when young. 

The alternate leavps have petioles Y8-3/S inch 

long. Leaf blades are not toothed on eclges. The 

lower surface of some is dull light green ancl 

slightly hairy on midrib and veins. 

Flower clusters (panicles) at leaf bases are 14 

itlches long, with finely hairy branches. The 

short-stalked hairy flowers are tnale and female 

on different trees (dioecious), the calyx with 6 

B 

spreading greenish-white lobes less than 1/8 inch 

long. Male flowers have 9 stamens and n rudimentary 

pistil. Female flowers have small sterile 

stamens (staminodes) and pistil with 1-celled 

ovary partly enclosed, style, and broad flat stigma, 

The fleshy fruits (berries) have 1 rounded brown 

seecl3/8 inch in diameter. Flowering from October 

to Decenlber and maturing fruits from February 

to July. 

The wood is described as rose white, lightweight, 

nnd easily worked. It is used mostly for 

,osts nncl fuel and occasionally as lumber in farm 

buildings in Puerto Rico. In Cuba it is employed 

for interiors in rural construction. 

Farests of the lower mountain regions of Puerto 

Rico. Also in St. John and Tortola 

P~ISLIC ~o~~s~s.-Carite, Guajntaca, Luquillo, 

Rio Abajo. 

RANGE.-Greater Antilles, St. John, Tortola 

T.esser hntilles from Gurdeloupe to Grenada, and 

Trinidad. Also in Venezuela and Guianas. 

C)~.~IER colrlros s.i~r~s.-laurel (Puerto Rico) : 

laurel, laurel blanco (Dominican Republic) ; boninto 

laurel, lebisa (Cuba) ; black sweet~vood, black 

ctuldle~vood (Jamaica) ; laurier puant (Haiti) : 

bois clot~s (Guadeloupe) .

47. Laurel espada 

Natural size. 

Ocotea floribunda (Sw.) Mez

48. Laurel geo 

One of the commonest laurels, this species is 

characterized by: (1) spicy foliage, t~vigs, and 

bark; (52) a very dense rounded crown; (3) elliptic 

leathery leaves 4-9 inclies long and 11/2-31/2 

inches broad, the apex short-, long-, or bluntpointed, 

the base short-pointed or rounded, slightly 

shiny dark green on apl~er sr~rfnce and paler 

beneath, often wit11 scattered rnised dots, which 

are insect galls; (4) brnnched clusters of nnmer- 

LAUREL FAMIL 'Y (LAURACEAE) 

Ocotea leucoxylon (Sw.) Mez 

The sapwood is pale yello~vish brown or cream 

colored, and the heartwood uniform light golden 

brown \\-ithout figure. The \vood is moderately 

soft, lightweight (specific rarity 0.45), moder- 

ntely strong, and eas~ly n-or f ed. It is not durable 

ttnd is susceptible to attnck by dry-wood termites. 

Rate of air-seasoning is moderate, and amount of 

degrade is considerable. ,1Inchining characteristics 

arc as follows: planing, shaping, turning, 

011s small yello~~ flowers s/lo inch across near ends mortising, nncl resistance to scretv splitting are 

of twigs; and (5) very mnny round black fruits good ; nncl boring ancl sanding are fair. 

5/10 inch in diameter, in 11 red or brown cup 3/g inch 

'I'ho \vood is used mainly for posts but also in carlong 

covered nvith light brown \!-arts. 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree to 

pentry nnd construction. It is suitable for inex- 

50 

feet high and 10 inches in trunk cliameter. The pe~tsive gl.;ides of furniture and cabinetwork and 

bark is brown or gmy, smoothish or becoming for interior trim, general carpentry, light consliglitly 

fissured. Inner bnrk is light, brown, with stn~ction, boses and cmtes, plywood, sheathing, 

bitter spicy taste. Twigs tire green and finely nncl collcrete forms. A general utility wood in 

hairy when young, becoming brown, sliglit,ly Tobago. Formerly made into shingles in Jamaica. 

an led. 

In Dominican Fbpublic it is reported that the 

!$he leaves arc alternnte on petioles ?&-% inch fruits tire an important food for hogs. 

long. Blades are llnirless or nearly so and not Widely distributed in forests of the moist const, 

toothecl on edges. Insect galls forming scattered ~noist, limestone, and lower moantain regions of 

raised dots on the upper letif surface we s~~fficiently 1'uert.o Rico. Also.in St. Thomas and Tortola. 

chnracteristic of this species to serve in identifica- 1'u1%1,1c FORESTS.-Cambalacho, Cnrite, Guajat 

ion. 

tnca, Guilarte, Luquillo, Mnricno, Sushn, Toro 

Flon-er clusters (panicles) are 2-6 inches long, 

broad and much branched, single at leaf bases and 

Negro, Vega. 

ttppearing terminal, the branches green, angled, ~IUNICII*~\LITIES WtIERE ESPECIA1.I.Y C03LMON.- 

99 

and finely hairy. Tile very mnny fragrant. almost 

62. -d, 

stalkless flowers are male nn

45. Laurel geo 


Ocotea letico@ulon (Sm.) Mer 

123


49. Nuez moscada Ocotea moschata (Meisn.) Mez 

Known only from Puerto Rico, this aromatic spring to fall, the fruits maturing from winter to 

tree is characterized by: (1) spicy foliage, twigs, summer. 

and bnrk; (2) pronounced buttresses; (3) short- Tlie sapwood is yello\\.isli to light brown, and 

stalked, lenthery, obovnte or elli tic lenves mostly tlio liettrtwood extremely variable, from medium 

,videst beyond tlie middle, bunt-pointed ,or bro~\v~i to dark brown with irregular darker brown 

rounded at ttpes :tnd sliort-pointed at base, sh~ny to blnck streaks or patches. The wood is hard and 

on both sides, dark preen on upper surfnce and yel- lieavy (specific gravity 0.59) and hns medium to 

low green to bro~vnisli green benenth with raiser1 fine texture. It takes a high polish but is very susveins 

011 lower si~rfnce mostly tinged reddish nenr ceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. Rate of 

the base; (4) yello~visli flowers about inch nipseasoning is rapid, and amount of degrade is 

ctcross, rusty-brown hairy, in laternl clusters Inlnqr. Iincliining charncteristics are as follows: 

shorter tlian the leaves; and (5) large ell~ptic plnn~ng is fair; shaping, turning, boring, and refruits 

to 11h inches in lengtli, with liem~splier~cnl sistnnce to screw splitting are pod; and mortising 

double-margined cup. 

tuid sinding are excellent. 

-4 large evergreen tree to 80 feet in height and This nttrnctive timber formerly was much used 

21,4 feet In trunk cliameter, with a compnct narrow for cabinetwork. It is recommended for turning, 

crown and buttresses to 3 feet high and 2 feet furniture, cabinetmaking, and novelty items and 

broad. The brown bnrk is smootliish, becoming sliould bo suitnble for light nnd heavy construcfissured 

nnd sliglitly rougli. Inner bnrk is reddisli t ion, bridge timbers, heavy crating, and packing 

brown, with slightly spicy odor nnd taste. The 

1)oxes. The fruits are used for medicinal purposes. 

bro11-11 twigs nre finely lin~ry when young. 

Tlie alternate lenves linre stout petioles 1/S-3/8 

Forests of the lower mountain region of Puerto 

inch long and blades 3-6 inches long and 1%-31/2 

Rico, commonest in and near the transition to the 

inches brond, not toothed at edges. The upper sur- upper mountain forests. 

face is hairless and lias sliglitly sunken veins, and I'nsr.~c FORESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

tlie lower surfnce is hairless or nenrly so. 

Toro Negro. 

Short-stalked flowers nre borne in brnnched Rl\sae.-ICnown only from mountains of Puerto 

clusters (panicles). Cnlyx Iitis 6 11airy lobes more Ixico. 

than l/g inch long; there nre 9 stamens; arid pistil OTIIER COJL~LON ~~~f~s.-netnoc~, nuez moscada 

has 1-celled ovary ~vitli style. The fleshy fruit (:i~lit~rronn, nilez moscndn maclio, nuez moscada del 

(berry) contains 1 large seed. Flowering from 111th (Puerto Rico) .


Ocotea moschata (Meiw.) Mez


50. Nemocl Ocotea spathulata Mez 

This species of the eastern nnd central mountnins Nomocd is the most unusunl and perlinps the 

is identified by : (1) bmnches forming distinct most, nt,tractively figured commercinl mood of 

horizontal layers; (2) nnrro\v buttresses at base of Puerto Rico. The uniforni snpwd is yellon-is11 

large trunks; (3) spicy lenl-es, twigs, and bnrk; bro~vn nenr tlie outside and pinkish brown townrd 

(4) leaves clustered tlt or nenr ends of t~vigs, sliiny tlie wide interior. Tlie higlily vnriegtted heartand 

leathery, spoon-shaped (spntulnte) or olm- wood innges from light pinkish brown to yellowvate, 

11/2-31h inches long and ql-llh inches broad, ish brown nncl greenish brown nnd has dnrk brown 

widest beyond middle; (5) greenish-yellow, rusty to bltlck stripes, spots, or irregular lines. The 

hairy flowers about l/j inch broad, in lnternl clus- ivood is hard, lieuvy (specific gravity 0.62), fineters 

shorter than the lenves; and (0) lnrge rouncl textured, and strong, but very susceptible tn attack 

or elliptic fruits inches long with sliallotv by t11.y-\vootl tenriites. It is nioderntely difficult 

double-mnrgined cup. 

to work but polislies satisfactorily. Rate of air- 

A small or medium-sized evergreen tree to 45 seasoning and nniourit of degrade nre moderate. 

feet high nnd 11/2 feet in trunk dinmeter. Tlie 

Akcliining clinrncteristics nre ns follows: planing 

gmy or brown bnrk is scaly, becorning thick and 

fissured on larger trunks. Inner bnrk is light 

is fnir; shaping, turning, boring, sanding, and rebrown 

and slightly spicy and bitter. 

sistnnce to scrow split,ting nre good; anel mo~%ising 

Thougli cromdecl nt ends of the brown twigs, the is excellent. 

leaves are alternate. Petioles are short, only '/8-% Tlie wood is used for furniture, but few remaininch 

long. The blades are blunt-pointed or ing trees are 1:1rge enollgli to produce lumber of 

ronndecl nt npes and long-pointetl nt base, ~vitli good size. It is suitable for furniture, cnbinetedges 

turned under. Upper s~lrface is dnrk green, mnking, paneling, turnery, bont planking, farm 

with slightly sunken midrib ntitl slightly r~~ised irnple~rients, littndles, llenvy constiuction, and 

laternl veins, and tlie green lower surface wit11 bridges. 

rilised veins. 

Forests of the upper Luqnillo nnd upper Cor- 

Flower clusters (panicles) am in the cluster of dillern regions of Puerto Rico, nscending into the 

loaves, 1-2 inches lon bmnched nnd hniry, bear- dwnrf forests on summits of tho peaks in Sierra de 

ing severcll short-stal F

Natural size. 

Ocotea spatliulata Nez 

127


51. Aguacate, avocado Persea americana Mill.* 

Apacate, the well-known fruit tree planted and 

sometimes growing as if wild, is chamcterized by : 

(1) shiny yellow-green pear-shaped or nearly 

round fruits about 4-5 inches long and 34 inches 

in diameter, with oily green and yellow flesh and 

1 very large seed; (2) elliptic, slight1 t.hickened 

leaves cro\vded nenr ends of twigs, s&htly aromatic 

when crushed, 355-7 inches long and 2-31/2 

inches broad, long- or short-pointed at apes and 

short-pointed at base; and (3) numerous greenishyellow 

flowers about 3/s inch across the 6 calyx 

lobes in many lateral brnnched clusters. 

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree attaining 

15-30 feet in height and 11& feet in trunk diameter, 

with straight uxis and symmetrical narrow 

or rounded crown, old trees frequently lenning. 

The bark is brown or ,my, slightly rough 

and fissured. Inner bark is orange brown, slightly 

spicy and gritty to the taste. Twigs are green, 

angular, and finely hairy, becoming brown. 

The leaves are alternate on yellow-peen petioles 

inches long. Blades are without teeth on 

edges? the upper surface green to dark pen, 

slightly shiny, hairless or nearly so, and the.lower 

surface dull gray green, finely hairy on veins. 

The flower clusters (panicles) near ends of twigs 

t111d shorter than leaves bear finely hairy flowers 

on short hairy stalks yhen trees are leafless. or 

nearly so. There are 6 ny~dely spreading, greenishyellow, 

narrow, hairy sepals about S/lo inch long; 

9 greenish-yellow stamens more than. l/s inch long 

and 3 s~naller sterile stamens (stnm~nodes) ; and 

whitish-green pistil with 1-celled 1-ovuled ovary 

and slender style. 

The heavy fruits (berries), borne singly, hang 

down and bend the twigs by their weight. Inside 

the thin leathery skin is the edible thick soft flesh 

somewhat like butter. The brown elliptic or eggshaped 

seed is about. 2-2% inches long and up to 

2 inches in diameter. Flowering from January to 

April or May and maturing fruits from late June 

to October. 

The sapwood is whitish and the heartwood light 

brow-n. The wood is moderate1 soft, heavy (s - 

cific grnvity O.A), brittle, not drable, suscepti %" le 

to attack by dry-wood termites, and seldom used. 

The nutritious fruits are eaten rnw as a vegetable 

or salad, usually with salt added. They an be added to soups and in Brazil are mnde into jce 

cream. Hop, other domestic animals, and wild 

nnimals are fond of the fruits. Commercial oils, 

such as s substitute for olive oil and oil for the 

hair, have been extracted from the pulp, which is 

reported to have an oil content of about 14 percent. 

The seeds yield a reddish-brown dye for marking 

clothing. Some parts of the plant, such as leaves, 

seeds, fruit rind, and bark, have been employed in 

folk medicines. The frngrant flowers are attractive 

to bees and make this tree s honey plant. 

hlany rnces, varying in size, shape, color, and 

quality of fruit and tinle of ripening, are in cultivation. 

Propagation IS from seed or, for the superior 

varieties, by budding. 

Planted nearly throaghout Puerto Rico, most 

co~nmonly on the coast and in the moist limestone 

and lower mountain %ions. Also in Vieques, St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

Rmc~.-Native of tropical America, probably 

hfesico nnd Central America and not West Indies. 

Widely planted and escaping or naturalized in 

tropical and subtropical countries throughout the 

world, including southern Florida and Florida 

ICeys (grown comtnerciallg illso in southern California.) 

, throughout West Indies, and from Mexico 

to South America. 

OTH~ COBIMON NBXES.-pear, apricot (Virgin 

Islnn

51. Ayacnte, avocado 

Two-thlrds natural size. 

Persea americana Mill. 

129

HERNANDIA FAMILY (HERNANDLACEAE) 

the cuplike base) is nbout %/lo inch thick, has an 

opening about I,$ inch in diameter, is sometimes 

tinged wit11 red, and at maturity has a pleasant 

mellow odor like ripe apples. The single fruit 

Hernandia sonora L. 

This tree with handsorno foliage is easily recog- (clrllpe) within is yk-1 incll broad, hard, blackish, 

nized by: (1) I:trge, ovate, sliglltly shiny, clrirk wit lr i~sually 8 longitudin:~l ridges, ti~lcl 1-seeded. 

green leaves with long petioles :ittnched $$-I inch I'lo\veri~lg :)lid fri~~ting reported at various times 

;rl)ove base of bl:tcle; (2) bronc1 leaf 1)l:icles 7-12 clr~~.i~lg the year. 

inches long and 4-8 iliclies \vide, long-pointed at S:~p\vood and heart\\-ood tire inclistin yishable, 

apes ant1 roundecl at b:lx wit11 5 111tii11 wins, 2 011 Ilot li grityisll white with faint olive-colored streaks 

e:lch side of midrib: (3) inconspir~~ous greenish- :111tl ~i~~merous large darker J)ores. Tlie wood is 

11-hite flowers finely grny hairy, less than !h i~lcli lirn~. soft, ligllt\reigllt (spec~fic gravity 0.29), of 

long, borne in long-str~lketl Iriterrtl clusters: ant1 low strength, and e:tsily \vorketl. I( is very sus- 

(4) elliptic fruits 1-1% inclies long insicle 11 c-cptible to gttack by dry-wood ter~nites and other 

rounded, hollow, greenish-yellolv, fleshy case about i~isycts :~nd to dec:iy. Rate of air-seasoning is 

finches in diameter. 

r:11)1(l, and amount of degrade is niinor. i\incl~in- 

A large evergreen tree becoaling GO feet high i~ig cll:i~.acteristics are as follo\vs: plrlning and 

:~nd 2 feet in di:imeter, thick triinlrs with s1na11 sri~itling are poor; sh:lpinp, t llrning, boring, and 

buttresses. The light brown hi~rk is snioothish, l~lortisiug nre very poor; and resist tince to screw 

slightly fissured, 1~1th snlnll ro~.lzy warts. In~lrr sl)litti~ig is escellent. Suitable uses are l~ght 

1)ax-k is light brown, slightly n~ucilaginoi~s nncl I)oscs, crates, fishing floats, tenlpornry boarding, 

bitter. The stout twigs are green i~nd nlinutelg interior construction, anrl :IS n substitute for heavhair 

. 

irr gr:i(les of guano (bals:~). IIowever, scarcity 

~ zleaves e are alternate on light green, minutely li~llits tlie use in Pi~erto Rico. 

Ilairy petioles 6-10 inches long, nearly as long as Occnsionnlly planted in tlir tropics and in subthe 

blades. Surrounding the end of the petioles, tropical Ellrope as an onlninentnl. Easily propathe 

blades ( eltate) nre \vitlliout teeth on margin, g:~tcd from seed and grows fairly rapidly if not 

slightly thic 1 ened, hairless or nearly so, and 11ght in tlense shade. It is reported tlint tlle sap has been 


usctl as depilatory, removing Iltiirs farom the face 

Flower clusters (cymes) are lateral, 5-8 inches prtinlcssly. 

Io~ig, 3-6 inches Ilcross, somewhat flattened, wit11 In forests ancl along st,ren~ils in tho moist coastal 

light green, finely gray llttiry branches. Several region of Puerto Rico. Also infreqiient in cultivato 

nlnlly flowers nre bor~le i~si~ally 3 together, 2 t ion :is an ornament:il and shade tree. Trees may 

rn~lle ;1nd 1 female (monoecious), ttbove 4 green- l)c! seen nlong the high\vay to El Yunqiie south 

ish-white bracts ?&% inch long. Male flowe~s on OF JInmeyes :~nd on tlie rortcl l)et\veen Jlaricao 

stalks 1/8 inch or more in length are nearly % 11nd Alayagiiez. 

inclt long ancl broad. consistilig of usaa11-y 6 sl~ght- I'U~I,IC FOREST.-~AI~U~~~O. 

1s thickened greenish-~vliitc sepals more than 14 I


Hernandia aonora L. 

131

53. Burro prieto, Jamaica caper 

CAPER FAMILY (( 

This small tree or shrub of coastal thickets is PUBLIC FOREST.-Gubnica, 

identified by: (1) minute brown scales on young R'tsa~.-Southern Florida including Florida 

twigs, petioles, under side of leaves, flower stnlks, Keys and \Test Indies from Bnhamns and Cuba 

flowers, and fruits; (2) elliptic, slightly lenthery throngli Lesser Antilles. Also in southern Mexico 

Ienves short-pointed nt apex and base, shiny yellow and Central America south to Panama. Cultivated 

green on upper surface nnd silvery brown beneath; outside the naturnl range. 

(3) purpldi flowers about 3h inch ncross or 2 OTHER CO>IMON rs~~rm.-bejuco inglks, snpo 

inches ncross the long, spreading, brushlike stn- (Pnerto Rico) ; mostncilln, cnrbonero, cipnrnyo, 

mens, borne in clusters at or nmr ends of twigs; pnlo dinblo (Cuba) ; olivo, frijol (Domin~cnn Reand 

(4) long, nnrro~s-ly cylindrical, light brown public) ; zic (Guntemnla) ; cndurece mniz (Nicapods 

nbout 8 (4-12) inches long nnd 5i6 inch in rngnn); Jnmnicn caper, cnpertree, zebrawood 

diameter. linnging do~rn\vnrd? exposing the bright (United Stntes) ; blnck-\rillo~r (Bnlinmtls, Jarecl 

inncr ~vnll upon opening. 

mnicn) ; bois s6nega1, bois cncii, bois d'argent 

An evergreen tree or shrnb attaining 10-20 feet (Nniti) ; bois noir (Guadeloupe) . 

in height, with densa compnct crown. The dark BOTANICAL BYXONYS~.-Cappamis jn~naicenais 

pray or bl-olvn bt~rk is smooth nnd thin, becoming Jncq. 

fissurccl. Illtier bnrk is light brown, ~ritli spic Five more species of this genus nre native in 

tnste like I~orsen~dish. The slender tmip are sif Puerto Rico nnd the Virgin Islands. ICnomn as 

very brown tuld nngled, becoming gray. 

burro nnd caper, these shrubs or smnll trees are 

Tile lenres nre borne singly (alternate) nnd have chnrnct~ristic of thickets in the dry coastal repetioles 

%-?h incli long. I~af blndes are common- gions. Lingunm (Cappark indicn (L.) Fawc. & 

ly 24 inches long and q/,-11/, inches broad, some- Rendle) is the only other species with minute 

tinies murli long2r on young plan& or young scnles on tlie twigs, under side of lenves, and flowslloots, 

tlie edges sliglitly turned under. Different ers. It differs from tlie species described nbo\-e in 

rr~czs vary in lenf sizes nnd slinpe. 

its flo~vers with short 4-lobed calyx only I/s inch 

Flower clusters (corymbs) are laternl but ap- long nnd petnls hairy as well ?s scaly. 

penring terminnl, nbout 2 inches long, with fern to The other 4 species have hnlrless leaves and lack 

se\.ernl frngrnnt flowers nenr end of an angled tlie minute scales. Palingutin or limber caper 

sc.:rlv I)ro\vn stnlk. Flo~ver buds nre sliglltly 4- (C'ccpp(tria $exuoxa (L.) L.) has usually narrow, 

:t~ipletl. There are 4 pointed sepals 3/g inch long, linear or elliptic leaves 24% inches long and 

finely scnly on or~tside and hniry on inside; 4 el- 943-2 inches brond, blunt or notched at apes, and 

liptic pllrplisll petnls $ inch long, finely scnly on rounded or nnrrowed at bnse. 

oi~tside; lnnny purplish stamens 1M-llh inches Snpo or rat-bean (Capparis baducca L.) has 

long, wit11 yellow tinthers, wiclely spre d Inrge elliptic or oblong leaves 4-12 inches long and 

aron witlierlng; nnd scnly, nnrrowly c;li:~ib$ 11/2-3% inclies wide, short-pointed at apes, and 

1-celled ovary 3/ls inch long including the flat roundetl at bnse, and smnll flowers less than 1/2 

stipnn, nt end of stnlk abollt 1 inch long. 

inch long with the stamens no longer than the 

The long-st:1lked pods, slightly narrowed be- petals. 

tween tlle sercls, split open irregulnrly to expose The remaining 2 species have broader pods not 

the ninny elliptic slliny brown seeds 1/, inch long. 

Difl'erent trees in flower and frliit at various times 

nnrrowecl between tlie seeds. Burro or broadleaf 

throud~ont the yew. 

caper (Cappar& coccolobifo2ia Mart.) has stiff, 

Tlie snp~vood is light brown. The heartwood is lenthery, broadly elliptic leaves 24% inches long 

described ns yellow, tinged with red, hnrd, and ;~ncl 11/&-3 inches \vide, rounded or notched at apex, 

l~envy. Used only for posts tlnd fuel in Puerto rind usunlly Ilenrt-shaped nt base; and the fruit 

Rico. Elsc~vliere occnsionnlly cultivated in parks oblong, flattened, 4-7 inches long and 1% inches 

n~id ns 11 street tree. It is reported that the roots wide. 

nnd leaves 1i:ive been employed medicinally. Burro blnnco (Capparis portoricensis Urban) 

111 tliickets, cliiefly in the clry coastal region of hus elliptic leaves 11/2-41/2 inches long and 1-2 

Pi~erto Rico. Also ill Mona, Desecheo, Icacos, inches brond, rounded or short-pointed at apex, 

Culebrn, St. Crois, St. Thomas, St. John, and short-pointed nt bnse: and the short elliptic fruit 

Tortola. 

only ll/q-2% inches long and about s/4 inch wide.

53. Burro prieto, Jamaica caper 

Natural size.

HORSERADISH-TREE FAMILY (MONNGACEAE*) 

54. Resedl, horseradish-tree Moringa oleifera Lam.' 

This ornamental planted tree is characterized 

1)y : (1) featlieiy or fernlike foliage of 3-pinnately 

compound leaves 1-1% feet long composed of numerous 

thin elliptic leaflets I/q-S/g inch long and 

1/8-3/g inch broad; (2) many she\\-y fragrant white 

flom-els % inch or more across the 10 spreading 

sepals and petals, slightly irregular, in lateral clusters 

4-8 inches long; (3) large, 3-angled, brolvn 

seed capsules 7-14 inches long and rZ/1-1 inch broad, 

hanging down; and (4) roots with odor and taste 

of horseradish. 

A small decicluo~ls tree to 30 feet high and to 10 

inches in tiunk diameter, n-it11 spreading brittle 

branches. The wl~it,ish-pay barlr is smooth;sh, 

fissured and \\.arty or corky, becoming rough. The 

twirls are finely hairy and green, becoming brown. 

The alternate leaves have slender, finely hairy, 

green and reddish-tinged axes, the latei-a1 ones 

paired. haflets are paired except for terminal 

one and have minute stalks less than l/lo inch long. 

The blades are rounded or blunt-pointed at apex 

and short-pointed at base, the edges not toothed, 

green and almost hairless on upper surface, and 

paler and hairless beneath. 

Spreading or drooping flower clusters (panicles) 

ha^-e many minutely hairy flowers on slender 

Ilniry stalks. The basal cup (hypanthium) 1/8 

inch long and broad bears 5 unequal white sepnls 

ttbout 1/2 inch long; there are 5 unequal white petals 

%-y8 inch long; 5 stamens alternating with 5 

smaller sterile stamens (stsminodes) ; and pistil 

of 1-celled ovary and slender style. 

The seed cap.ii11es \\.it11 lon 'tudinal ridges split 

open along tho 3 angles. #ere are many seeds 

tlbout 1 inch long, colnposed of 3 \vhit,isl~ papery 

wings around a dark brown ro~~nclecl center Y2 

inch or less across. Flowering and fruiting 

through most of the year. 

The soft wood is little used in Puerto Rico, but 

tlie thick soft roots are s spicy condiment. It is 

~*eportecl that, the corky bark can be made into 

nlsts. Root extmcts, bark, and gum esuding from 

tho trunk have been employed in some places in 

medicines. 

nen oil, elsen-here cxtmctecl commercially from 

the seeds of this nncl a reltlted species, is n lubricant 

for ~vatches and other fine mechanisms and s base 

for perfumes and is said to be both edible and 

medicinal. In some localities the young pods, 

young leaves, and flowers are eaten cooked like 

stringbeans and greens. Leaves and twigs have 

been cut as fodder in India. Tlre flowers are a 

sonrce of honey. 

Grown chiefly as an ornamental and in fences 

tlncl hedges. Tlle plants are propagated by seeds 

arid cuttings and coppice vigorously. Though 

spectacular for the abundant white flowers and 

long seed capsules, this irregularly shaped tree 

with weak, easily broken branches is not so attractive 

~vhen old. Moreover, in Puerto Rico it, is very 

susceptible to attack by termites and for this reason 

not recommended as an ornamental. It is reported 

that this tree is the only tree in gardens of 

soutllern Florida that flowers every day of the 

year. 

Widely planted for ornament and along rondsides 

and escaping from cultivation in Puerto 

Rico, especial1 in the coastal regions. Also in 

Vieques St. C?' roiu, St. Thomas, St. John, and 

Virgin borcls. 

R~~cE.-Native of East Indies, southeastern 

Asia, and India, but now widely distributed 

throl!gh the tropics. Planted and escaped or nataral~zed 

in southern Florida including Florida 

1%~ (planted also in southern California) and 

throughout West Inclies from Bahamas and Cuba 

to Trinidad and Tobago and Ciimpao. Also from 

hlexico to Peru, Paraguay, and Brazil. 

OTIIER COMD~ON NAMES.-ben, iin la, jazmiii 

frtinc6s (Peerto Rico) ; mornion, paf de abejas, 

lilrertad (Dominicnn ~e~ublicg ; parafso frands 

p:ilo jeringa, be11 (Cuba) ; paraiso de Es aiia, 

p:tr~iiso (Centml America) ; perlas, pnrniso b I? anco 

(Guatemala) ; teberinto, terebinto (El Salvador) ; 

j:~cinto (Panama) ; lingels (Colombia) ; horser:~clish-tree, 

drumstick-tree (IJnited States, English) 

; maranga cala1G (British Honduras) ; saljhnn, 

St. John (British Guiana) ; benzolivier, ben 

oleifere (Haiti) ; maloko (Guadeloupe) ; benhoom, 

salaster, oreng a, moriengo, brenolli, orselli 

(Dutch West &dies) ; pepern~ortelboom 

(Surinam). 

BOTANICAL s~~o~ms.-NOringa moringa (L.) 

Millsp., N. pterygospemta Gaertn.

M. Resedd, horseradish-tree 

687-021 0-04----lo 


BRrJNELLIA FAMILY (BRUNELLIACEAE) 

55. Pa10 bob0 Brunellia comocladifolia Humb. & Bonpl. 

This distinctive small to medium-sized tree of 

mountain forests, tho only West Indian representative 

of its small family, is recognized by: (1) 

the opposite pinnafe leaves; (2) 11-15 (sometimes 

to 23) oblong, lance-shaped, lon pointed leaflets 

2-5 inches long and 1-1% inches % road, with sawtoothed 

edges, also paired except at end ; (3) stout 

greenish twigs mith rin at nodes, finely rustybrown 

hairy, as are the eaf axes and flower clus- 

ters. 

r 

An evergreen tree attaining 15-25 feet in height 

and to 6 inches in trunk diameter, with thin, open, 

spreading crown. Bark on small trunks is smoothish 

and gray, Inner bark is light brown and 

slightly bitter. 

The leaves are 6-15 inches long. Leaflets are 

almost stalkless, rounded and oblique at base. The 

upper surface is green and almost hairless, and the 

lower surface gray green and finely haiiy and witll 

raised rusty-brown hairy veins. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are lateral, branched, 

and 2-5 inches long and broad. The numerous 

short-stalked small flowers about 3/16 inch long and 

broad are greenish yello~v, some flowers contallling 

both sexes and also male and female on different 

trees (polygamous . The calyx is dee ly divided, 

with 5 pointed lo b es about 4/8 inch f' ong, rustybrown 

hairy; corolla none; stamens 8-12, %-s/le 

inch long, inserted at base of a lobed disk; p~stils 

5, separate, y8 inch long, hairy, each mith 1-celled 

o17a1.y, style, and stigma. 

The fruits are star-shaped 1 inch across, of 5 

or fewer podlike parts (foll~c (4 es) encll about S/le 

bristly, rusty -brown hair s litting 

~~k,~,"~contoinin~ 1 or 2 brown see8 $lowers 

are formed in spring and summer, and fruits mature 

in summer. 

Tlle \vood is light brown, hard, and lightweight 

(specific gravity 0.3). Used only for fuel in 


Forests of the u per Cordillera region of Puerto 

Rico, up to 4,000 f eet elevation or h~gher. 

PGULIC FORES~.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

hlnricao, Toro Negro. 

RAN~E.-Greater Antilles, Guadeloupe, and 

Venezuela and Colombia. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.-~~br$ (Puert0 Rico) ; 

guhsima de pinares (Cuba) ; yuco riiihn, berraco, 

job0 macho de tierra' fria (Colombia) ; West- 

Indian-sumac (Jamaica), bois Mabel (Haiti).


Br~rneltta comocladif?lia Humb. L Bonpl. 

137

CUNONIA FAMILY (CUNONIACEAE) 

56. Oreganillo Weinmannia pinnata L. 

A small tree or shrub of dwarf forests at high long with %celled ovary and 2 whit styles. Seed 

elevations on ~nountain peaks, recognized by: capsules have sepals remaining at base and 2 

(1) opposite pinnate leaves 3-6 inches long wit11 pointed styles at apex arid contain minute hairy 

broadly winged axis and usunlly 9-17 stalkless seeds. Flowering mainly from August to October. 

elliptic toothed leaflets, paired except for the ter- The s:~p\~oocl is ~hitish, and heartwood reddish 

minnl one; (2) paired rounded stipules about % bro~vn. The hard, heavy wood is not used in 

inch long and broad, forming ~t rounded narrow Puerto Rico. Elsewhere the bnrk has been embud 

but shedding early, leaving ringzd scars at ployed in tanning. 

nodes; (3) numerous minute n~hite flowers tinged In dwarf forests on mountain peaks in the upper 

with pink, in narrow erect Intern1 c111steis 2-3% Luquillo and upper Cordillera regions of Puerto 

inches long; and (4) many narrow 2-lobed brown Rico mostly above 3,000 feet elevation. 

seed capsules 3/16 inch long. 

PUBLIC ~o~~sm.-Luquillo, Tor0 Negro. 

An evergreen tree or shrub to 20 feet in height Rasoe.-Tlriclely distributed in mountain forand 

6 inches in trunk dinmeter. The dark brown ests at high elevations from southern Mexico to 

bark is emoothish, inner bark light brown and bit- Peru, Brazil, and Trenezueln. Also Greater Anter, 

and reportedly exudes n resin. The brown tilles and Lesser Antilles froin St. Kitts to St. 

twigs are densely bristly with yellow hairs when Vincent. 

young, becoming blackish. 

OTHER CoarMoN NAXES.-tamarind0 de loma 

The leaves have a short hairy petiole. Leaflets (Dominicnn Republic) ; sabicil marafibn, sabicii 

are 1/2-1 inch long aiid %-.5/g inch broad,. short- do pinnres (Cuba) ; loro, lorito (Costa Rica) ; 

pointed at base, rounded at apex, with margins. encinillo, arenillo (Colombia) ; saisni, curtidor 

slightly turned under, stiff, nbove d ~rk green with Venezuela) ; bastard brazilleto, wild brazilletto 

midrib and lateral veins sunlten, and beneath light Jamaica) ; bois tan rouge (Guadeloupe) ; bois 

green with hairy midrib. 

sifleur (Martinique) . 

The flowers are s/16 inch long and broad across A variable, midely rangingspecies with varieties 

the stamens and are borne on short slender stalks differing in hairiness, number of leaflets, and other 

along a lit~iry nsis (raceme). There are 4 or 5 charncte~s. This is the only West Indian repreminute 

pointed sepals, 4 or 5 whih petals about l/ls sentative of its family and of a genus common i:1 

inch long bnt falling early, 8 or 10 white stamens niountnin forests nt high elevations in the Andes 

more than l/s inch long, and pistil less than 4/8 inch of Sonth America.

Natural size. 

Weinrnannia pinnata L. 

139

ROSE FAMILY (ROSACEAE) 

57. Icaquillo Hirtella rugosa Pers. 

This small tree of mountain forests in Puerto 

Rico only is identified by : (1) ovate, long-pointed, 

shiny green, hairy lenves with veins much sunken 

In upper surface and raised beneath, spreading in 

2 rows on long, slender, sparsel branched, bristly 

hairy twigs; (2) pink and red fowers r 7/g inch long 

\rith 5 petals, a few or several in clusters almost, 

hidden under the end leaves of a twig; and (3) 

dark red, elliptic, slightly flattened, 2-pointed, 

fleshy fruits 1/12-5/8 inch long. 

An evergreen tree generally less than 20 feet 

high and 3 inches in trunk diameter. The bark 

is gay and smooth, inner bark bro\vn and tasteless. 

The tllternate letives are stalkless or with very 

short hairy petioles less than 1/8 inch long. Leaf 

blades are 1%-3% inches long and 3/4-1y2 inches 

broad, rounded or slightly heart-shaped at base, 

wit11 edges turned under, the upper surface bristly 

hairy on midrib, and the lower surface paler and 

bristly hairy on veins. 

Flower clusters (racemes) are terminal or lateral, 

1y2 inches or less in length, ~vith few flowers 

on sle~~der hairy stalks I,-% inch long. The hairy 

bnsttl tube (hypnnthium) is about 4/8 inch long and 

broad; there are 5 pinkish hairy sepals s/lo inch 

long; 5 elliptic red petals more than 1/4 inch long, 

slightly spreading; 3 long red stamens % inch 

long; and pistil consisting of hairy 1-celled ovary 

lnterally placed and slender style attached near 

base. 

The fruits (drupes) are finely hai composed 

of thin, almost tasteless, juicy flesh an 7" 1 brownish 

stone S/s inch long. Flowering and fruit.ing nearly 

throughout the year. 

The sapwood is light brown. The wood is hard, 

strong, and lleav (specific gravity 0.9), but becttuse 

of the smnl ?' size of the trees is little used except 

for posts :tnd fuel. 

An understory tree in forests of the lower mountain 

regions of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC F~RESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 


R~~~~.-&founkbins of Puerto Rim only. 

OTHER COJCJION NAMES.-hicaquillo, jicaquillo, 

junnilla (Puerto Rico) . 

Tlle other native species of this genus (19irtella 

fl-inndru. Sw.) is distinguished by the narrower, 

lance-shaped to elliptic leaves very long-pointed 

at apex and short-pointed or rounded at base, the 

veins not sunken. It is found in moist forests but 

not, confined to the mountains.

57. Icaquillo 

Natural size.

LEGUME FAMILY (LEGUMINOSAE) 

Key to the 3 subfamilies 

A. Flowers regular, with 10 to many long, spreading stamens, separate or united at base; petals meeting by edges 

in bud: leaves bipinnate (pinnate in Infla)-Qlimosn Subfnmily (hfimosoideae; Mimosaceae), this page below. 

AA. Flowers irregular, with 10 or fewer stamens, often united ; petals overlapping in bud. 

B. Flowers only slightly irregular; the 5 petals separate, the largest petal innermost in bud; leaves pinnate or 

bipinnate, sometimes of 2 leaflets or simpl+Cassia Subfamily (Caesalpinioideae; Caesalpiniaceae), 

page 168. 

BB. Flowers very irregular, beanlike or butterfly-shaped; the 5 petals being the standard (largest and o~~termost 

in bud), 2 wings, and 2 slightly united forming the keel ; leaves pinnate, sometimes of 3 leaflets-Pea Sub- 

family (Lotoideae ; Fabaceae) , page 188. 

MIMOSA SUBFAMILY (MIMOSOIDEAE; MIMOSACEAE) 


A. Leaves pinnate. the leaflets in pairs. 

B. Leaf axis winged ; leaflets hairy ; pods nearly cylindrical, 4-angled-*. Inga Vera. 

BB. Leaf axis cylindrical, not winged : leaflets hairless or nearly so; pods flattened. 

C. Leaflets 4 (sometimes only 2) -02. Inga laarina. 

CC. Leaflets usually 6 or 8 (sometimes 4)--03. Inga quatcmata.* 

AA. Leaves bipinnate. 

D. Leaflets very narrow, less than 1h inch wide, relatively long. 

E. Twigs with paired spines at nodes ; lateral axes (pinnae) 14. 

F. Lateral axes 1 or sometimes 2 pairs, each with 12-25 pairs of leaflets 34-% inch long; spines brown 

or gmy-70. Prosopir frc.liflora.* 

FF. Lateral axes 2-6 pairs, each with 15-26; pairs of leaflets 4 946 inch long; spines whitish-58. Acacia 

farnesiana.* 

EE. Wigs not spiny ; lateral axes (pinnae) 3 to many pairs. 

Q. Lateral axes no more than 10 pairs. 

H. Lateral axes 3-10 pairs, each with 10-20 pair8 of my-green leaflets %o-% inch long--65. Leucaena 

glauca. 

HH. Lateral axes 8-10 pairs, each with 2040 pairs of shiny, dark green leaflets $d inch Iong-07. 

Pithecellobiurn arboreutn. 

GG. Lateral axes 20-35 pairs, each with 30-100 pairs of minute leaflets % inch or less in length--88. 

Piptadenia peregritta. 

DD. Leaflets more than inch broad, less than 4 times as long as broad. 

I. Leaflets 2 palrs-68. Pitkecellobium dztlee.* 

11. Leaflets many, lateral axes (pinnae) 2-7 pairs. 

J. Leaflets slightly diamond-shaped, asymmetrical-69. Pithecellobiurn suman.* 

JJ. Leaflets oblong, rounded at apex. 

K. Leaflets oblique or asymmetrical at base. 

L. Lateral axes W pairs, each with 4-9 pairs of leaflets %-I% inches long; the flat pods straw- 

colored, more than 1 inch brond-60. Albizla lebbck.* 

LL. Lateral axes 4-7 pairs, each with 6-14 pairs of leaflets; the flat pods rich red, turning to 

brown, less than incli broad-01. Albizia procera.* 

KK. Leaflets symmetrical, rounded at both ends, with tiny point at apex--60. Adenanthertz pavunina.* 

58. Aroma, sweet acacia Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.* 

A spiny shrub or small tree of dry areas, char- gland. The thin p en leaflets sometimes as much 

acterized by : (1) the conspicuous paired whitish as 16/16 inch long are short-pointed at apex, rounded 

spines (stipules) at nodes on the slightly zigzag at base, and hairless or sometimes hairy around 

twigs; (2) tmice pinnate (bipinnate) leaves 2-4 edges. 

inches long, with 2-6 pairs of lateral axes (pin- Flower heads are borne 1-3 together on hairy 

nae), each with 10-25 pairs of narrow (linear or stalks 34-1% inches long and composed of numeroblong) 

stslkless leaflets 4/s"9/16 inch long; (3) very ous narrow flowers about 1/4 inch long ending in 

fiagmnt flowers in bright yellow balls (heads) vov man yellow threadlike stamens. Tlle tubuabout 

y2 inch wross the numerous stamens on ltlr 5-toot T' led calyx is x6 inch long; the tubular 

lateral stalks; and (4) dark brown to blachsh S-toothed comlla is % inch long; them are mpy 

pods 1v23 inches long and 3/8-1/2 inch broad, thmadlike stamens almost inch long; and plstil 

straight or slightly curved, 1-3 on a stalk. 

3 / 1 ~ inch long of narrow ovary and slender style. 

A deciduo~is sl~rub ust~ally less than 10 feet high The pods are thick and only slightly flattened 

or sometimes a small tree, much branched and wlcl only a little narro~vecl between the seeds, 

spreading. The bark is dark brown and srnooth- contain sweetish pulp, and open lab. There are 

ish. The twigs are dark brown with light colored sevoml brown seeds, elli tic and sli htly flattened, 

dots (lenticels) and with paired spines 4/s-% inch 956 inch long. Recorde B in flower F rom November 

or more in length. 

to February. The ftwits remain attached after 

Often the alternate leaves are crowded on short, maturing. 

spur twigs and appear h be inore than 1 at s The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood 

node. The slender hairy axis bears n. minute round roddish brown. The mood is hard and heavy 

142

58. Aroma, sweet acacia 

Natural stze. 

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. 

143

(specific grnvity 0.8). Used only for fuel in 

Puerto Rico because of the small size but elsewllere 

serving for tool handles and farm implements. 

The shrubs are occasionally ciiltivated around 

houses and in gardens as ornamentals and in Indin 

for hedges. 

One of the principal roducts of this species is 

P 

the perfume distilled rom tho flowers, known 

commercially as "cassie flo\vers." In southern 

Europe the shrubs are cultivated for this purpose. 

Likewise, in tropical America the flowers, after 

drying in the shade, are placed between linens to 

erfume them or put in clothes cabinets. The 

[owen are visited by bees. The leaves and pods 

are browsed by livestock. The bark and astringent 

pods, which are high in tannin content, are used 

in tnnning, and the pods also in makin ink and a 

black dye. The flowers, green fruits, 6 ark, roots, 

and leaves have also been employed in local remedies. 

Mucilage can be prepared from the gum 

which exudes from the trunk and I\-hich resembles 

pim arabic, obtained from an African species of 

the same genus. The sticky juice of the pods has 

served to mend broken china. 

In thickets and forests in the dry coastal ancl 

dry limestone regions of Puerto Rico. Also occasionally 

planted in gardens. Also in Vieques, St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin 

Gorda. m a - 

PUBLIC I.~REsTs.-Gu~~~c~, Maricao, Susfia. 

R~x~~.-\vide]y distributed in tropical America 

and spread by cultivation and naturalization. 

South\vestern border of United States (Texas, 

Arizona, and California) and Mexico to Chile ancl 

brgentina. -41~0 through West Indies from Bnhamas 

and Cubn to Trinidad and Tobago and 

Curai;no and Aruba. Naturalized in southeastern 

United States (Florida to Louisiana). Also naturalized 

in Old World tropics. 

This species spreads rapidly and may appear to 

be native in areas where it was brought in many 

years ago. In most of the West Indies perhaps 

introducecl and naturalized. However, it has been 

accepted as native in Cuba. The type botanical 

speclmen was collected in the Dominican Republic. 

OTHER COBIJION NAB~FS.--C~S~~~, cassia (Virgin 

Islands) ; aroma, aromo (Spanish) ; cambrbn Doininican 

Republic) ; aroma amarilla (Cu a) ; 

b 


' MIMOSA SUBFAMILY (MIM :OSOIDEAE; MIMOSACEAE) 

59. Peronias, jumbie-bead 

This introduced tree, locally naturalized, is iden- 

tified by: (1) the large twice pinnate (bipinnate) 

leaves 1-2 feet or more in length, composed of nu- 

merous oblong thin leaflets rounded at both ends 

and with a tiny point at apex; (2) the erect nar- 

row flower clusters 4-7 inches long, containing nu- 

merous crowded, small, pale yellow flowers 1/4 inch 

across ; and (3) the shiny scarlet lens-shaped seeds 

huisache, qtiisache, binorama, subinche (Mexico) ; 

espino blanco, espinal, subin (Guatemala) ; cachito 

de aromo, espmo, subin (Hondurns) ; espino 

blanco, espino ruco (El Salvador) ; cachito de 

nromo (Nicarngua) ; pelti, cuji cimarrbn, uiia de 

cnbra (Colombia) ; cuji aromo, pauji (Venezuela) ; 

111inrangn (Peru) ; espino blanco (Bolivia) ; espinillo 

(Uruguay, Argentina) ; sweet acacia, cassie, 

huisache (United States) ; aroma, cashia, 

opoponax (Bahamas) ; cassie-flower (Jamaica) ; 

cuntich, cashaw (British Honduras) ; casha, cassie 

(St. Barthglemy) ; acacia odorant (Guadeloupe) ; 

cttsha (Dutch JVest Indies) ; es onjeira (Brazil). 

BOTQANICAL SYNONYM.-Vac ellk famesiana 

(L.) Wight & Arn. 

A few other species of acacia, characterized by 

twice pinnate leaves and mostly paired spines, are 

untire or introduced trees and shrubs. Acacia 

nudosa or spineless acacia (Acacia muricata (L.) 

Willd.) is a small tree with no spines, lenflets 8-16 

pairs on each axis, and many small whitish flowers 

along an axis. 

Suma-cntechu (Accrcicr sum (Roxb.) Kurz*) , 

an Old World tree introduced on St. Croix,. has 

leaflets 10-40 pairs on each axis and small whitish 

flowers along an axis. 

The others have small yellow flowers in balls. 

Tamnrindo silvestre or steel acacia (Acacia mcra- 

cantha Humb. & Bonpl. ; synonyms A. macracan- 

thoides Bert., Poponux macracanthoides (Bert. 

Britton B: Rose), of the Virgin Islands, hss leaf- 

lets 1540 pairs on each axis and pods somewhat 

flattened. 

Twisted acacia or cassia (Acacziz tortzlosa (L.) 

Willd. ; synonym Poponax torfuosa (L.) Britton 

b Rose), of the Virgin Islands, has leaflets 10-20 

pairs on each axis pnd pods nearly cylindrical. 

Goma arjbiga or gum-arabic (Acacie nizotica 

(L.) Delile*), from Africa, is sometimes planted 

for ornament and is reported to be naturalized 

locnlly. It has 1030 pairs of leaflets on each axis 

and narrow flattened pods narrowed between the 

seeds. 

Anegadn acacia (Acacia anegadeneis Britton; 

synonym Fish1ocl:ia anegademia (Britton) Brit- 

ton & Rose), known only from the island of Ane- 

gada, has leaves with only 1 pair of lateral axes, 

each with 1 or 2 pairs of leaflets. 

P 

Adenanthera pavonina L.* 

3h inch in diameter and nearly 4/4 inch thick, borne 

in pods 6-10 inches long. 

A medium-sized deciduous tree to 40 feet high 

and 1v2 feet in trunk diameter, with spreading 

crown. The brown bark is smoothish wlth many 

small fissures. Inner bark is light brown. Twigs 

are stout and green.

59. Perodaa, jumbiebead 


Adenanthertz pavonlna L. 

145

The main axis of the alternate leaves is green, 

tinged with brown, with 2-5 pairs of lateral axes 

(pinnne), and the latter each bearing 11-21 leaf- 

lets. The leaflets also are alternate on short stalks 

less than +b inch long and with blades 

inches long and s/s-y8 inch broad, edges not 

toothed, minutely and very inconspicuously hairy 

on both sidw, dull green on upper surface, and 

blue green beneath. 

Flower clusters (racemes) are lateral and ter- 

minal, slender and unbranched with many small 

flowers on stalks about % inch lon . The tiny 

light green calyx 1/16 inch long is be 7 1-shaped, 5- 

toothed. the 5 spreading, narrow, pointed, petals 

% inch iong; 10 stamens a little longer than petals, 

pale yellow with brown anthers; and pistil s/16 inch 

long with light green 1-celled ovary and slender 

style. 

The dark brown pods nre inch broad, 

curved, somewhat fleshy, flattened between seeds, 

splitting into 2 parts and twisting upon openin . 

The several showy seeds (about 1,600 to a poun4 

adhere to the opened pods. Flowering usually 

from late summer to winter (August to January), 

the fruit maturing in fall and winter and remain- 

ing attached for some time. 

The sapwood is light brown and hard. Heart- 

wood is'reddish. The wood is hard, heavy (specific 

gravity 0.6-0.8), strong, and durable. It is used 

as roundmood or fuel. Elsewhere the wood has 

been employed in construction and cabinetwork 

and is the source of a red dye. 

LEGUME FAMILY 

This is a shade tree and ornamental in Puerto 

Rico. In Malaya grown as a shade tree for plantation~rops. 

The shiny bright colored seeds after 

softenin in boiling water serve as beads in necklaces 

an d novelties. 

Naturalized in the coastal and moist limestone 

regions of Puerto Rico. Also in St. Thomas, St. 

John, and Tortola. 

PUBLIC ~o~~s~s.-Cambalache, Guajataca, Mari- 

cao, Rio Abajo, Vega. 

RANGE-Native of tropical Asia, first described 

from India. Planted and naturalized in other 

tropical regions including West Indies from Cuba 

and Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago. Grown in 

southern Florida and California. Cultivated in 

Dutch West Indies and South America from 

Venezuela to Brazil but very rare in Central 

America. 

OTHER COMBION N.IMES.--coralitos, coral, mato 

colorado, palo de mato, peronias chatus (Puerto 

Rico) ; Circnssian-bean, coquelicot (Virgin Is- 

lands) ; coralitos, peonia (Dominican Republic) ; 

coralin, coral, coralillo (Cuba) ; sandal beadtree, 

red sandaln~ood, Circnssian-bean, Circassian-seed 

(United States) ; red sandnIwood, Circassian-seed 

(Jamaica, Trinidad) ; 1'6glise (Grenadines) ; 

jumbie-bead (Trinidad) ; buckbead (British Gui- 

ann) ; dglisse, arbre b rGglisse, arbre B graines 

gglisse, cornil v6@tal (Guadeloupe) ; pau tanto, 

tento carolina (Brazil). 

(LEGUMINOSAE) 


60. Acacia amarilla, tibet, lebbek Albizia lebbek (L.) Benth.* 

A common introduced roadside tree of the drier 

areas, acacia amarilla is characterized by: (1) 

twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) 6-16 inches long, 

with 2-4 pairs of lateral axes and with many ob- 

long leaflets 3/4-1% inches long and s/s-s/s inch 

broad, rounded at both ends and very oblique at 

base; (2) quantities of many fragrant cream- 

colored .flowers clustered together at end of a lat- 

eral stalk in a rounded mass 2-3 inches across the 

many threadlike, spt-eading, whitish to yellow 

stamens tipped with light green; and (3) flat, 

broad, straw-colored pods 48 inches or more in 

length and 1-1s inches broad, usually present in 

quantities. 

A medium-sized deciduous tree 20-40 feet high 

and to 1% feet in diameter or larger, with spread- 

ing crown of thin foliage. The gray bark is 

smoothish, becoming fissured or rough, the inner 

bark pink and bitter. The twigs are mnish, be- 

coming gray or brown. 

The alternate leavp have a greenish or yellow- 

brown leaf axis bearing a small elliptic gland on 

upper side near base and 2 4 pairs of lateral axes 

(pinnae), each with 4-9 pairs of leaflets. Leaf- 

lets have very short stalks less than I/ls inch long 

and thin blades, with the midrib not in center and 

sometimes a second prominent vein from base, the 

ed es not tootHed, dull green above, and beneath 

lig % t green and sometimes minutely hairy. The 

terminal leaflets are broadest above middle 

(obovate) . 

Rounded clusters (umbels or heads) of many 

spreading short-stalked narrow flowers are borne 

at the end of lateral stalks 11/24 inches long, 

singly or 2-4 together, each flower on a short slen- 

der hairy stalk almost I/a inch long. The indi- 

vidual flower lx-11/2 inches long to end of stamens 

has a tubular 5-toothed hairy-calyx 4/8 inch Ion 

narrow tubular white corolla 6/1. inch long incluf 

ing 5 ointed lobes hairy at end; many threadlike 

sprea%ng stamens united into a tube near bsae, 

whitish turning yellow, and light green toward 

tip; and pistil of narrow ovary and threadlike 

style. 

The seed pod, short-pointed at both ends, con- 

tains a row of several seeds and is swollen and de-

60. Acacia amarilla, tibet, lebbek 


dlbizia lebbek (L.) Benth.

essed around each seed. The oblong flattened Florida including Florida Keys, Bermuda, and 

ero\vn seeds are inch long Pods are procl~iced tliro~~gllout West Indies. Also from British Honin 

great quantities, long persistent on the bnulclies, dunts through Gtitral America and South 

lute in openin-g, remaining after the leaves are America to Brazil. 

shed. Flotvenng from April to September and OTHER COBIMON ~~~~s.-lengua de mujer, lenwith 

f twits nearly through the year. 

gua riperina, casia amarilla, acacia, aroma, nmor 

The sap\rood is whitish, and tlie heart\rood light pliit6nico ( Puerto Rico) ; woman's-tongue, tibetyellowish 

brown to light brown. The wood is tree (Virgin Islands) ; chachd (Dominican Repubmoderately 

hard, coarse-grained, strong, and fairly lic) ; algarrobo de olor, aromn fmncesa, forestina, 

durable. It seasons well .and ~vorlts and polisl~es cabellos de tingel, mGsico (Cuba) ; acacia, canjuro 

easily. In Puerto Rico used only for fuel and (El Salvador) ; pisquin, muche, carbonero de somposts. 

Else\vhere the wood !~ns been employed for 

furniture, paneling veneering, turnery, and gen- $ 

eral construction. 'he bark has served m tanning, 

and n few- parts of the tree in medicines. 

P~pagatecl readily from seed, the t~ves gm\v 

nvell In dry areas, where they are sufficiently hardy 

to become naturalized. Reported to be tolerant 

of salt spray and suitable also new seashores. 

Planted for shade and ornanient along roadsides 

and around houses, and naturalized in pastures and 

on hillsides in the moist and dry coastal regions 

of Puerto Rico. Also in Culebm, Vieqnes, St. 


RAXGE.-Native probably of tropical Asia including 

India and Burma but now widely planted 

and natuAlized through the tropics. Southern 

armuche, dormil6n (Colombia) ; barb& de 

cabal ero, samdn (Venezuela) ; lebbek lebbek albizia 

(United States) ; lroko (United dtates, commerce) 

; tibet-tree woman s-tongue, sins-tree 

(English) ; black-ebony (Bermuda) ; singer-tree, 

whistling-bean (Bahamns) ; shack-shack, West- 

Indies-ebony, East-Indian-~ralnut (Trinidad) ; 

tcha-tchn, bois noir (Haiti) vieille fille Guadeloupe) 

; barba di junkumnn (Dutch West I ndies) ; 

corn~iio de negro (Brazil). 

The peculiar rattling sound produced by the contintla1 

movement of the dry pods in the mind is the 

origin of the common name of woman's-tongue 

(lengua de nlujer) and in Cuba the more pleasant 

one. m6sico (musical). 

The generic name is spelled also ABizzia. 



61. Albizia, tall albizia Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth.' 

This exotic tree of relatively recent introduction 

is planted along roadsides and in gardens. It is 

identified by : (1) twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) 

1-2 feet long, wit11 many oblong leaflets reddish in 

color when first produced, 3/4-1% inches long and 

5/16-5/g inch wide, short-pointed at both ends and 

very oblique at base; (2) showy flowers numerous 

in wliitish balls with many spreading stamens 

about 7/g inch across; and (3) thin flat pods 3-7 

inches long and nearly 3/4 inch broad, rich red but 

turning to brown, containing a central row of 

C+12 elliptic flattened green-brown seeds about 1/4 

inch long. From acacia amnrilln (Albizia Zebbek 

(L.) Benth.') it differs in having smaller flowers 

rind seed pods and in the larger number of lateral 

axes in the leaf, &7 pairs. 

A rapidly growing deciduous tree becoming 

80-60 feet tall with'stmight trunk 1-2 feet in dl- 

aineter, few b~nnches, and spreading thin crown. 

The bark is smoothish, varying from very light 

brown to whitish or light greenish gray. Inner 

bark is soft and pinkish with a strong, peculiar, 

bitter, astringent, and irritating taste. The stout 

twigs are greenish brown, wit11 many small longi- 

t udinal ridges. 

The yellow-green axis of the alternate leaves 

1,ral.s nn elliptic gland 1/4 inch long on upper side 

near the enlarged base and 4-7 pairs of slender 

lateral axes (pinnae). There nre 6-14 pairs of 

leaflets with short stalks I/lo inch long on each lateral 

axis. The thin leaflet blades with the side 

nearer nxis much broader, not toothed on edges, 

the upper surface dull green, and the lower surface 

pale gray green and inconspicuously hairy. 

Flowers are borne on several lateral axes (racemes) 

3-9 inches long near the end of a twig. 

An individual flower is stalkless and nearly y8 

inch long, including the stamens, and has a greenish 

5-toothed calyx tube about y8 inch lon 

whitish narrow corolla nearly inch long inc 7; ud- a 

ing tube and 5 pointed hairy lobes; many white 

threadlike spreading stamens about 7/16 inch lon 

united into a tube ,en lover part; and pistil wit 

small narrow ovary and threadlike style. 

The pods, long-pointed at both ends, contain 

6-12 seeds and have an enlarged dark spot outside 

each seed. Later the split o en along 1 side to 

expose the papery wa f Is and re 7 ease the seeds. At 

maturity the large masses of red pods against the 

green foliage are showy, and then the brown dead 

open pods remain on the tree for some time, until 

tlie 15-hole tvig bearing the pods is shed. These 

and fallen leaves make undesirable litter in 

$I" 

a\\ ns and gardens. Recorded in flower in August 

and September and in fruit from Januar to June. 

The sapwood is whitish to light ye i low, and 

g:

61. Albizia. tall albizia 

Albizb procera (Roxb.) Benth. 

Leaf, one-third natural size. Flowers (above) and pod (below), two-thirds natural size. 

149

lleartwood is light brown to light cliocolate brown. 

The wood is moderately hard and is resistant to 

attack by dry-wood termites. Used for shacle and 

fuel. In India the ~vood 11ns been employed for 

construction and ngricult~irnl impleme~~ts. 

Introduced by the Commontvenlt,li Forest Serv- 

ice in 1924 and sparingly plnnt,ed in Puerto Rico, 

such as nlong roadsides for shnde arid fenceposts 

in the dry areas and in g~irdens. The propagntion 

of this species for farm plantings mas increased 

during the 1940's becn~ise it was considered a 

promising rapid-growing fuelwood species for the 


constnl and lower mountain regions. The trees 

Inny be wised from seed or cntt.ings. However, 

most of the trees 11nre suffered severely from a 

fung~~s disease which causes diebnck or death. For 

this renson tlie s ecies is no longer propngated. 

Listed from St. l%omns more tllnn n century ago. 

R~N(II.:.-Nntive of tropical Asin from India to 

Cliinl~ and to Australia. AppnrentJy an nncommon 

introduced tree in tlie Amer~cnn t,ropics. 

Sometimes planted in southeni Florida. 

OTIIER COMMON ~aar~s.-acacia (Puerto Rico) ; 

tnll albizin, white siris (English). 


62. Guam$ "sweetpea" lnga laurina (Sw.) Willd. 

Gurtmi, which is commonly used for coffee 

shade, is characterized by : (1) alternate pinnate 

hairless leaves with leaflets usually 2 pairs (somotimes 

1 pair), green to dark green, ellsiptic or 

ovnte, the outermost lenflets usually considerably 

larger than the first pair, slightly thickened, nearly 

stalkless, and with n minute round gland on the 

wingless axis between each pair; (2) many white 

brushlike flowers with numerous spreading stnmens 

nnd 1 inch across on 1111 axis 3-6 inches long; 

(3) flat pods 21/24Y2 inches long nnd %-I% inches 

thick, sl~ghtly curved and wit11 rnised border; and 

(4) whitish bnrk with prominent horizontal dark 

lines (lenticels) . 

A medium-sized evergreen tree 50-70 feet high 

and 1y2 feet in trunk diameter, with a rounded 

dense crown of dark peen foliage. The inner 

bnrk is reddish and sligl~tly bitter. The twigs are 

green when young, turning brown, with mnny 

raised dots (lenticels) . 

Leaves are mostly 3-8 inches long, the slender 

green axis 14 inches long. Leaflet blades nre 

24 incl~es long nnd 1-2 inches wide, blunt- or 

short-pointed at apex, short-pointed and slightly 

oblique at bnse, slightly shiny above, pale green 

beneath, not toothed on ed es. 

Flower clusters (spikesr are lateral or terminal, 

single or paired, mnny sl~gl~tly fragrant stalkless 

flowers being borne on n slender axis. The individual 

flower, about %-% inch long to end of 

tho stnmens, has n greenish tl~bulnr 5-toothed calyx 

less than y8 inch long; greenish funnel-shaped 

tubular 5-lobed corolln more thnn 1A inch long; 

mnny spreading white threadlike stnmens 5/8-% 

inch long, united into tube in lower part; and 

pistil s/R inch long composed of slender ovary and 

threadlike style. Often the flower cluster is de- 

formed and much brnncliecl ns in a witches'-broom. 

T11e pods are inch thick, rounded nt both 

ends, pen when immature, turning brown, al- 

most without edible pulp around the serernl seeds, 

sot, splitting open. Flowering and fruiting 


The sapwood is whitish, and the nttrnctive heart- 

\vood pt~le reddish brown, often streaked with 

darker brown. The wood is moderately hard, 

~l~ocler~ttely heavy (specific gravity 0.62), coarsetextnred, 

strong, tough, and easily worked. It is 

very susceptible to decay and to attack by dry- 

~vood termites. The rnte of air-seasoning is rapid, 

and amount of degrade is moderate. Machining 

chnrncteristics are as follo\vs: planing, turning, 

boring, mortising and fesistance to screw splitting 

1u.e good ; shaping is fair; and snnding is excellent. 

The wood is suitable for furnikre, cabinetwork, 

tool I~andles, interior trim, general and heavy construction, 

crntes, boxes, and flooring and has been 

reco~n~nended for venear and plywood. However, 

in Paerto Rico it is seldom used except for fuel, 

c-l~nrconl, and fe~lceposts. 

The trees nre planted extensively for coffee 

shade and elsewhere for shnde for cacao also. 

This is an im ortant honey plant. 

Forests an i coffee plantations in the moist coast, 

moist limestone, the lower mountnin, and the 

upper Cordillera regions of Puerto Rico. Also 

in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

'I'ortola, and Virgin Gordn. 

Prinr,~~ rn~~s~s.-Cambnlnche, Cnrite, Guajatncn,. 

Guhnica, Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio 

Abn 10, Susba, Taro Negro, Vegn. 

>IUNICIPA~,ITIES WHERE ERI~ECIALLY COXB~ON.- 

6,47,53,59. 

R,t~o~.-TXfest Indies from His nniola and 

Pl~erto Rico and Virgin Islands to 8 xrenada and 

13rlrbndos tind Trinidnd, and in northenstern Venez~~elr~ 

(Sucre). Also from western Mexico (Jalisco 

tind Guerrero) and Guatemala to Panama. 

Introduced into Cuba for coffee shade. 

OTIIER COafXON ~~~~s.~panish-oak, pornsl~ock 

(Virgin Islands) ;. jina (Dominican Republic) 

; g~inmii de Puerto R~co (Cuba) ; palal (Guatemala) 

; cujinicuil, paternillo, chapernillo (El 

Snlvndor) ; gunvo (Panama) ; snckysac (Triniclnd) 

; Spnnish-oak (Montserrnt, ~arbados) ; pois 

donx, pois doux blanc (Gundeloape) ; pois doux 

(hlartinique) .

02. Guam6, "sweetpea" 

Two-thirds natural she. 

Inga laurtna (Sw.) Willd. 

151



63. Guam6 venezolano Znga qudernata Poepp. & Endl.* 

A rnpidly owing sprendin tree with a dense nei~rly half the length and spreading % inch 

crorvn, relate i? to the native gu%a m~d gu:lmi and across; and the pistil about 7/s Inch long consists 

introduced for coffee sl~nde, characterized by: of narrow ovary and threadlike st le. 

(1) alternate pinilate leaves with usually 3 or 4 The pods are about $$-% inci thick, mostly 

pairs (sonletirnes '2) of obovate to oblong, nearly rounded at both ends with a narrow point at apex 

hairless, stiff, slightly lazthery leaflets, 21/24 and stalk : ~t base, light green, turning brownish, 

inches long, befoming larger toward apes, short- becoming hairless, and do not split open. There 

stalked, and w~th a round raised gland x6 inch :tre several oblong seeds about :% inch long in n 

ncross on the \vingless axis between each pair of thin white sweetish pul . This whitish pulp is 

leaflets; (2) the loose ball-like flower cluster about edible but too thin for t ! e pods to be of commer- 

2 il~clies across the many spreading threadlike cia1 importance. Probably flowering and fruitin 

white sttlmens, the numerous inclividual flowers on lnrlg through the year. Flowers collecte 

stalks ?G-% inch long; and (3) fiuit a flattened in . 8 

uly and August. 

but thiclr pod 4-6 inches long and 1-1% inches The whitish snpvood is hard. The tree has 

broad with raised border, and often a little curved. been used only for coffee shade and fuel in Puerto 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree, reach- Rico to date, mainly because of relatively recent 

ing a. height of 26 feet and trunk diameter of 3 introduction. 

inches or more at age of about 5 years. When Introduced about 1930 and distributed by the 

older, attaining a height of 30 feet and a diameter Puerto Rico Forest Service for coffee shade, this 

of 10 inches. Bark brown, smooth at first, ridged tree was at first thought to be imrnune to attack 

slightly Inter. The inner bark is light brown and by hormiguilln, an insect pest on the related nasliglitly 

bitter. The twigs are dark brown and 

finely hairy when young. 

Leaves nre 7-12 inches long, with a. brownishgreen 

or brown asis 21/24 i~lclles long, finely hairy, 

not win~wcl, and ending in n, point beyond last 

pair of leaflets. The leaflets have short stout stalks 

about v8 inch long. Leaflet blades are 1-31/2 

inches wide, mostly short-pointed at both ends and 

hroadest above middle, not toothed, nearly hairloss 

except on veins, above yellow green to green and 

shirnbillo (Peru). 

slightly shiny, nncl beneath dull light green. BOTANICAL s~~oms.-Inga row80viana Pit- 

Flower clusters (umbels) are borne at the end of tier, I. specws&8irnn Pittier. 

i1 lateral stalk 1h-1 inch long, usually 2 clusters :~t 

Besides the 2 native and 1 introduced species 

base of a leaf. The narrow tubular light green described here, a few other species of Inga have 

ralyx of the slightly fragrant flowers is inch been planted for coffee shade. Guama peludo 

long, 5-toothed and finely hairy; the narrow tubu- (Ingn fastuosa Willd.'), from Venezuela, is ensily 

lar whitish-green corolla about 3/8 inch long, 5- recognized by the reddish-hairy twigs and lar 

toothed, and finely hairy; the numerous white flirt pods up to 12 inches long and 2% inches wig stanlens are 7/g-1 inch long including the tube tllso reddish hairy. 

tive species. It has since roved susceptible; but 

:IS the tree is very adapta ! le, survives n-ell, ppvides 

a low shade at early a e, and is ver ens~ly 

ropngated, it probably wil f continue to $ e used 

For this purpose. Now found in coffee plantations 

in the upper and lower Cordillera regions 

and in the moist limestone region. 

R,\NGE.-Southern Mexico and Guatemala to 

Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. 

OTHER COMBCON NAMES.-bflbri (Panama) ;


Inga qrcaterttafa Poepp. & Encll. 

153



64. Guaba Inga vera Willd. 

Gunbn, the commonest coffee shade tree and nlso The pod is densely brown hairy and slightly 

notive or nntt~rnlized in net forests, is ensily dis- curved, few-seeded, not splitting open, with calyx 

tinguished by: (1) nlternnte pinnate hairy leaves remaining at bnse. In flower nnd fruit througli the 

with 3-5 pnirs of elliptic to oblong, stnlkless, slight- year, but most fruits n pearing in the fall. 

ly droopleg lenflets on n viinyd nxis bearing n The snpwood is \v R ~tish, and heartwood pale 

minute round yello~r-green g nnd between ench brown to golden brown with longitudinnl streaks 

pair; (2) lateral clusters of severnl Inrge whitish or pntches of darker brown often shaded with 

flowers with long tllrendlike stamens 21/24 inches green or yellow. The wood is moderntely hard, 

long and 3-31/2 inches across but soon nyilting; (3) moderately lienvy (specific gravity 0.59), strong, 

hniry pods 4-6 inclies long nnd y2-5/8 inch in dinm- and tough. It is very susceptible to attack by dryeter, 

netlrly cylindricnl but 4-ribbed and with 2 mood termites nnd other insects and to decay in 

brond lonpit~idinnl grooves, nnd containing white contact with the ground. Rate of air-seasoning is 

sweetish edible pulp. 

rapid, and nmoant of degrade is moderate. Ma- 

Medium-sized evergreen tree becoming 4M0 ch~ning characteristics are as follows: planing, 

feet tnll and 1-11/2 feet or Inore in trunk dinmeter turning, boring, mortising, snnding, and resistance 

(recorded to 3 feet), with very widely sprending to scrow splitting are good; nnd shaping is poor. 

crown of long brnnclies nnd thin foliage. The The wood is used nlmost solely for posts, fuel, 

bnrk is grn brown, smoothisli but becoming finely and cliarconl. However, it is suitable for utility 

fissured. fnner bnrk is pinkish to brown and furniture, boses, crates, light construction, and 

slightly bitter. Twigs nre bromn and tend to zig- genernl cnrpentry. 

zng, IVI t11 light colored dots (lenticels) , nnd dense- On lower slo es and along streams this tree 

ly brown hniry \\.hen young. 

grows very rapi ! ly, producing coffee shade within 

The leaves 7-12 inches long are borne in 2 3 years and growing in trunk diameter at a rate 

sprending rows on a twig. The nxis 2%-7 inches sometimes exceeding 1 inch per year. Also a honey 

long is bromn hni with n pen wing Y4-3A inch plant. 

broad between enc 7' 1 pair of leaflets. Leaflets are Common in active and abandoned coffee planta- 

2-6 inches long nnd 1-294 inclies wide, larger from tions throughout Puerto Rico except in the upper 

bnse to~vard npzx, long- ointed at npex and short- mountain, dry constal, and dry limestone forest 

pointed at bnse, not toot 'I' led, thin and slightly con- regions. Con~monest at the northern base of the 

vex, the up er surface green, lower surface light lower Cordillern, lower Luquillo, and moist limegreen, 

and 6 otli surfaces slightly hairy especially stone regions. 

on veins, nnd also slightly shiny. 

Pcn~~c ~omsrs.--Carib, Guajntaca, Guilarte, 

Flo~vers do not open nt the snme time, but usutllly 

only 1 or 2 dnily in each cluster. At damn the 

Luquillo, niaricao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, and Toro 

flower is fully expnnded, but during the day the Negro. 

stnmens nnd style wither. Flower clusters B~UNICIPAI~ITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

(spikes) are single or pnirecl nt base of a leaf, cons~sting 

of severnl stalkless flowers crowded near the 

end of n llniry green nxis 1-2s inches long. An kakaE.-~amnicn, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. 

individual flower witli stnmens fully expanded is Also introduced in Cuba nnd Gundeloupe and perwhite 

and 2y2-R inches long and 3-3% inches linps elsewhere for coffee shnde. 

ncross. A few honrs Inter the flower is greenish, OTHER colrafo~ N~~~s.-guaba del pais, guaba 

less thnn .5/4 inch long to end of corolln and 6/10 nntivn (Puerto Rico) ; gunmii (Dominican Repubincli 

ncross corolln lobes, wit11 the twisted pnle yel- lic) ; ,quabn (Cubn) ; pois doux, pois sucrin, sulow 

stnmens droopine 1% inches or less below. crier, sucrin (Haiti) ; pois doux, pois doux poilu 

The brownisll-green h~iely hairy tubular calyx is 

cylindricnl, X0-l,$ inch long, and 5-tootlid, often 

(Guadeloupe) ; pois doux B pnille (Guadeloupe, 

splitting on 1 side; the greenish-yellow corolln 

Martinique) . 

densely brown hairy, composed of a narrow cylin- Named from muterial collected in Jamaica, this 

drical tube about 5/8 inch long nnd 5 spreading species is the one upon which this large genus mas 

lobes 1/8 incli long; tlie numerous spreading white bnsed. It has been reported also from Mexico, 

threadlike stnmens are united into a tube inside Central America, nnd northern South America but 

corolla : and the white pistil is more than 2% inches not by authors of the most recent floras. 

long mitli narrow ovnry and very slender style. BOTANICAL smo~~~.-Znqa inga (L.) Britton.

64. Guaba 


Inga Vera Willd. 

155



65. Zarcilla, tantan, leadtree Leucaena glauca (L,) Benth. 

A small tree or shrub common along roadsides 

and in old fields in the dry areas, characterized by : 

(1) alternate twice pinnate leaves (bipinnnte) 4-8 

inches long, with 3-10 pairs of lateral axes (pinnae), 

ertch with 10-20 airs of stalkless narrowly 

oblong or lance-shape cf gray-green leaflets 5/16-s/8 

inch long and less than 1/8 inch wide; (2) flowers 

very numerous in whitish round balls x-1 inch 

across the spreading threadlike stamens; and (3) 

usually mnny clustered dark brown pods 4-6 inches 

lon and 5/g-3/4 inch wide, flat and thin, with raised 

bo d er. 

A rapidly growing deciduous spreading tree 

15-25 feet hi h and 24 inches in diameter or 

larger. The hrk is gray or brownish grny and 

smooth with mnny dots or warts (lenticels) . In. 

ner btcrk is light green or light brown and slightly 

bitter. , Twigs are gray green and hely hairy, beconiing 

brownish gmy. 

The gray-green leaf axes and lateral axes have 

swellings at bases. Leaflets are shortointed at 

apex and oblique at t,he short-pointed e ase, thin, 

and gray green but slightly paler beneath. They 

fold upward together at night. 

The flower heads are borne on stalks %-I% 

inches long in terminal clusters (rncemelike) at 

ends of t\vigs or lateral and composed of man 

narrow shlkless flo~vers in n whitish round ba Y 1 

about 8/8-1/2 inch across corollas in bud stage. Each 

individr~nl flower 5i6 inch or more in lenghh has 

a tubular, greenish-white hairy, 5-toothed calyx 

more than l/lo inch long; 5 narrow greenish-white 

hnily petals nearly 3/16 inch long; 10 threadlike 

white stamens about inch long; and slenderstalked 

pistil nearly j/4 inch long with narrow 

green ha~ry ovary and white style. 

The pods are narro~ved into a stalk at base, shortpointed 

at apex, and minutely hairy. They hang 

down usually many in n cluster and split open on 

both sides at maturity. In n centrnl row am many 

flattened, oblong, pointed, shiny brown seeds 

inch long (10,000 to a pound). Flowering and 

fruiting nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is light yellow. Heal-tnvood is 

yellon- bro\vn to dttrlr brown. The hard, heavy 

mood (specific gravity 0.7) is used for fuel in 


The seeds, after softening in boiling water, are 

strung ns beads into necklaces, bmcelets, decorntions 

on hats, and curiosities for tor~rists in the Virgin 

Islands and other localities. In the Philippines 

the young pods have been cooked as a vegetable 

and the seeds prepared as n coffee slibstitute. 

The bark and roots reportedly have been employed 

in home remedies. Bees obtain pollen from the 

flowers. In the Virgir! Islnnds branches from 

trees along roadsides frequently are cut for livestock 

feed, especially in the dry season. 

The leaves and pods are poisonous to horses, 

donkeys, and mules and, when eaten, cause these 

animals to shed their hair, especially that of the 

mane and tail (or even hooves if browsing is prolonged, 

it is reported). Hogs are similarly affected, 

losing the hair along the spine, and rabbits 

are poisoned also. However, cattle, goats, and 

sheep can browse the foliage without ill effects. 

The poison is concentrated in the seeds and young 

leaves. 

The trees are easily propagated from seeds or 

cuttings and coppice well. Like weeds they readily 

invade cleared lands and fre uently form dense 

pure thickets. This species has 71 een used in some 

countries for coffee shade, cacao shade, and hedges. 

Being hard it can be planted in pastures, to be 

followed. a 9 terwards by timber trees. In some 

areas the trees have been managed for fuel or 

charcoal on a short rotation of 6 or 7 years between 

cuttings. In the Far East this legume is grown to 

rebuild the soil and as a forage crop 

In roadsides, abandoned pastures, and thickets, 

in the dry limestone and dry coastal re ions of 

Puerto Reo. Also widespread in Mona, $ieques, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin 

Gorda. w*J 

Fuo~lc m~~s~s.-Agukre, Cambalache, Guajatacn, 

Gudnica, Maricao, Rio Abajo, SusGa, Vega. 

A~UNICIPALITIES WIIERE ESPECIALLY coarDfoN.- 

26,38,54,55,75. 

RANGE.-Throughout West Indies from Bahamas 

and Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago and 

from southern Mexico to northern South America. 

Naturalized beyond the ori inal range north to 

southern Texas and southern % lorida (also planted 

in California) and in Bermuda and southward to 

Chile and Brazil. Also naturalized in the Old 

World tropics. 

OTIIER 

hediondilla, 

acacia, acacia pnlida (Puerto Rico) ; wild 

tamarind, wild taman (Virgin Islands) ; lino, 

granndino, granadillo bobo, lino criollo (Dominimn 

Republic) ; aroma blancn, aroma mansa, aroma 

bobit (Cuba) ; aje, uaxim (Mexico) ; barba de 

le6n (Guatema P a) ;. panelo (Colombia) ; leadtree, 

white popinac (Un~ted States) ; jumbie-bean, wild 

mimosa, ncacia (Bermuda) ; jumbie-bean, jimbay, 

co~vbush (Bahamas) ; wild tamarind (Grenadines, 

Trinidttd, British Hondurns) ; shack-shack, West 

Indies mimosa (Trinidad) ; grains de lin ays 

(Haiti) ; bois-lolo, monval (St. Barth&lemy, &acleloupe) 

; macata (Guadeloupe) ; macata blanca 

(Alartinique) ; tumbnrabu, mimosa, tantan (Dutch 

West Indies). 

BOTINICAI, ~YNONYM.-L~UCO~~C( Zeucocepha2a 

(Lam.) de Wit. 

COMBCON ~~~f~~.-t~m~rindillo,

&ti. Zarcilla, tantan, leadtree 


Leucaena glauca (L.) Benth. 

157



66. Cojdbana Piptadenia peregrina (L.) Benth. 

This small to medium-sized tree is characterized inch long; and the pistil has a 1-celled ovary with 

by : (1) feathery, twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) slender style about 1/4 inch long. 

with minute narrow leaflets 1/8 inch or less in The pods have raised edges and split into 2 

length; (2) smtill flowers numerous and crowded parts. There :Ire severnl rounded, very thin, flat 

in whitish-yellow balls 3/s-l/z inch in diameter, seeds ne:mly 1/2 inch in diameter. Flowering from 

severnl in stalked lateral clustew; (3) brown flat March to dune. Pods present most of the year. 

and thin pods 3-8 inches long and about s/s inch The s:lpwood is n~hitish to light brown, and the 

broad, slightly narrowed between the seeds, and heartwood dark brou-n or recldisll brown. The 

fine1 scaly; and (4) very rough, pay brown or wood is extremely hard, l~eavy (o ecific gravity 

b~ncHsh bark on larger trees, thick, deeply fur- 0.8), strong and durable, but dl P cult to work. 

rowed, and with prominent warts or irregular Used chiefly for posts in Puerto Rico. The thick 

ridges. 

bark is rich in tannin and has been employed in 

A deciduous tree becoming 20-40 feet high and tanneries of ITeneanela. 

8 inches or more in trunk diameter, generally much A i1arcot.i~ snuff called "cojobn" was prepared 

smaller, with tliin widely spreading crown of at- from the finely ground seecls by the Indians of 

tractive fine foliage. Outer bark is gray or dark Hispimiola and Venezuela and adjacent parts of ;i 

brown, with lines of growth, and inner bark light Brtlzil. It was used in religious ceremonies. Rennd 

dark brown streaked, soft, and bitter. The cently this narcotic has been studied chemically 

brown twigs are minutely hairy. 

and tested for possible nledicinal applications. 

The alternate leaves 6-9 inches long have a light In \vooclla~ids :uld hillsides in the coastal and 

bromn, finely hairy axis benring 1 oval reddish lower nlountain regions of Puerto Rico. 

gland near base and usually 2 nenr apex. There Prn~rc ~on~ms.-Cambalache, Maricao. 

are about 20-35 pairs of lateral bn~nches (pinnae) ,. Raxa~.-Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Dominica, 

each with about 30-100 pairs of stalkless, narrow St. Vincent, Grenada, and Trinidad (doubtfully 

(linear), slightly hairy leaflets, which are short- native). Reported from Jamaica, a parently in 

pointed :~t apex and oblique at base, green above error. Also Venezueln, British Juiann, and 

and paler beneath. Thus, each leaf has at least a B rnzil. 

few t thousand leaflets. 

OTHER CO~\TMON ~~1~rI?~.--~ojobi~~o, cojoba, CO- 

The floieer clusters (heads) tcre lateral, several 

together on slender hairy stallrs 1/2-1 inch long 

jobo (Puelto Rico) ; cojoba (Dominican Repub- 

:~nd bearing numerous stallrless flowers. Each lic) ; yopo (Colombia) ; cojoba, niopa, niopo, yopo, 

- flower is more than $i long mllen the stamens are curubt~, (Venezuela) ; savannah yoke, colloba 

fully expanded. The bell-shaped 5-toothed calyx (Trinidad) ; bois galle, bois I'i!coi.ce, ceuf de poule 

is 1/16 inch long and minutely hairy; the white (Haiti) ; pnric& (Brnzil). 

corolla 1/8 inch long, with tube and 5 short lobes, ROT.\NICAL s~~on~ar.-~Viopa peregrina (L.) 

finely hairy on outside; 10 stamens more than '/4 Britton tk Rose.


Pbtadenia peregrilra (L.) Benth. 

159

67. Cojoba 



Pithecellobiurn arboreum (L.) Urban 

ing in spring, the pods maturing in summer, and 

flowering and fruiting again in autumn. 

The sapwood is whitish and hard. Heartwood 

is dark red or reddish brown, sometimes figured or 

with darker streaks, resembling maho The 

wood is heavy (specific gravity O.F:Ys'trong, 

durable, and takes a fine olish. An excellent 

timber suited for heavy an cf interior construction, 

ct~binetwork, furniture, posts, and crossties. Re- 

ported1 employed at one time for bobbins in cot- 

ton mil f s. 

As an attractive ornamental and shade tree mith 

comniercial mood, this tree is worthy of more ex- 

tensive cultivation. Also t~ hone plant. 

Chiefly along strenrns and at t X e base of cliffs 

in the moist limestone region and ascending into 

the lower Cordillem region in western Puerto 

This handsome tree with shiny, dark green, 

featliery foliage is further characterized by: (1) 

twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) mith numerous 

srrinll narrow leaflets about YQ inch long and less 

than l/e inch wide; (2) the man flowers in a 

whitish ball more than 1 inch in inmeter across 

the stnmens; and (3) the conspicuous red pods 

21/24 inches long and 3/8 inch in diameter, cnrved 

or coiled, s litting open, twisting, and exposing 

threads. 

6 

the several lack elliptic seeds that hang on short 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree attaining 

30-50 feet in height and 1 foot in trunk dianl; 

eter. The bark is gray and smoothish. Inner 

bnrk is \vliitish and bitter. The brown twigs are 

finely bro~vn hairy when young. 

The leaves are alternate, 5-12 inches long, with 

greenish ases minutely brown hairy. The main Rico. 

nxis litis 8-16 pnirs of 1nter;il branches (pinntie), PUBLIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, Gunjataca, Mariwith 

:i clot gli11id at base of each pair, each branch cao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Vega. 

1)e:tl.ing 20-10 pnirs of stalkless leaflets. Letif- RANGE.-Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerlets 

are oblong or lance-shaped, short-pointed, to Rico. Also in southern Mexico and Central 

ohlique at base, thin, hairless, paler beneath. .\merica to Costa Rica. 

There are 13 flower clusters (hencls) at base OTHER COBLBLON ~z\ar~s.--coj6bana, co'obanilla, 

of ii leaf or at :L nocle back of letires, on stalks ca joha, tamarandillo (Puerto Rico) ; a L ey, abey 

1M-3 inches long, contriining nlimerolis stnlkless hembra (Dominican Republic) ; moruro, moruro 

flowers. The bell-shaped 6-toothecl calys is about rojo, moruro prieto, sabicd, sabicli moruro (Cuba) ; 

iilcli long; the tabular wiiitish corollt~ nearly pl~imillo (Guatemala) ; barba de jolote (Hon- 

.1/8 incli long, including the 5 lobes; the many, very 

duras) ; agiii jote (El Salvador) ; tamarind0 (Costa 

slender, whitish stamens :ire :ibout q& inch long, 

Rica) ; wild tamarind, chabark (Jamaica) ; wild 

ttimnrind, black tamarind, red tamarind, zopilote, 

r~nited into a tube belo\\-; :uid the pistil h:is :i b1~r1):i jolote (13ritish IIonduras) ; collier, poison 

finely hairy 1-cellecl ovary with slender style. ltisinette (Haiti). 

. . The pods :Ire hot-ne singly or so~netinies paired. I~OTANIC.\L ~~h'o~~~fs.-Cojoba arborea (L.) 

I hey :ire slightly roughened, niinutely hairy, i~nd I3ritton k Rose, Snmanea nrborea (L.) Ricker. 

narrowed between the seeds. The elliptic seeds Tho generic name has been spelled also 

cnliange fro111 shiny to dull black in color. Flower- Pithecolobium.

87. Cojoba 

Natural slze. 

Pithecettobiunc arborcum (L.) Urban 

161



68. Guam5 americano, guamuchil Pithcellobiurn dulce (Roxb,) 'Benth.* 

This introduced tree planted for shade and 

ornament along 1~igI:llwtt s and streets and around 

llouses is distinguished 6 y : (1) usunlly n pt~ir of 

slender sharp spines (stipules) XG-5/g inch Ion 

nt bttse of er~cll leaf ar sometimes spineless; (27 

twice pinnate leaves (bipinnnte) with 2 lateral 

axes, each with 2 nearly stalkless oblong or ovate 

leaflets; (3) small creamy white flowers in many 

snlnll ball-like hends s/B inch across in slender 

drooping ternlinnl or lateral axes; and (4) curved 

or coiled pink to brown pods 4 5 inches long, narrowed 

between the seeds, nnd splitting open on 

both sides to loosen several sl~iny black seeds 

mostly covered by pink or ml~it,isll pulp, ~vllich is 

edible. 

A smdl to medium-sized tree 30-50 feet in 

Ileight and 1-2 feet in trunk clinmeter, or shrubby, 

~vith trunk and brnnches often crooked, and broad 

spreading crown. Nearly evergreen but shedilin~ 

the old leaves as new ones appear. The bnrk is 

light py, smoothisll, becoming slightly roug11 

and furrowed. The thick inner bnrk is light 

brown and bitter or astringent. Twigs are slender 

and drooping, penis11 and slightly hairy when 

young, becoming gmy, covered with many small 

n-l~itish dots (lenticels) . 

The alternate leaves have n very slender pen petiole %-11/2 inches long with minuto round gland 

near apex and the 2 lateral axes (pinnne) only 

1/R-% inch long. The 4 thin or slightly thickened 

lertflets m 1/2-2 inches Ion and y/lG-5/s inch wide, 

w~nded at apex, the obEque base munded or 

short-pointed, not toothed on edges, hairy or hair- 

less, dull pale peen above nnd light p en beneath. 

Sen- growth is pink or reddish. 

The flower clusters (heads) are short-stalked, 

each covered with whitfish hairs and composed of 

nbout 2030 densely hairy flowers. The flower has 

a tubular hairy 5-toothed calyx nbout x6 inch 

long, n funnel-shaped tubalnr hairy 5-toothed 

corolla about y8 inch long, nbout 50 spreading long 

threadlike stamens united into n short tube at btue, 

and pistil with hairy ovary and threadlike style. 

The pod is %-5/8 inch wide, slightly flattened, 

ancl inconspicuously hairy. The flattened seeds 

(4,000 to a pound) nre nbout y8 inch long rind 

Ilaug clown inside the pulpy mass (aril) ns much 

as yL inch long. Recoriled ns flowering from Jan- 

uary to May and in fruit from Febnlnry to Jaly. 

Sapwood is yello\visll, nnd Ileart\rood yellowisll 

or reddish brown. Tlle wood is moderately soft, 

heavy strong, and durnble. It takes a high polish 

but is brittle and not easily worked. 

111 Puerto Iiico the n~ood is used on1 for posts 

and fuel, but elsewllere it is employed for general 

construction. The bnrk, which contains nbout 25 

percent tannin, is harvested in Mexico. It also 

yields a yellow dye and is an ingradient in home 

remedies. A mucilage can be made by dissolving 

in water the transparent deep reddish-brown gum 

which exudes from the trunk. 

This attractive species makes a good highway 

and street tree, especially in dry areas, growing 

rnpidl and enduring drought, Bent, and shade. 

It wit !' lstnnds close browsing and pruning and is 

suitnble for fences and hedges also. Formerly it 

was n popular street tree in southern Florida, 

where it was susceptible to llurricnne damage and 

did not recover well. 

The thick, pink, sweetish acid pulp around the 

seeds can ba eaten or prepared into a drink like 

lo~uonnde. Livestock ancl wild animals browse on 

the ods under the trees. Also a honey plant. 

.&ag roads tlnd in toil-ns thmugllout Puerh 

Rico. Introduced also into St. Croix. 

RANGE.-Aleuico (Lower California, Sonora, 

nnd Cl~il~unl~un south~vnrd) tllrougll Central 

America to Colombia and Venezuela. Introduced 

in southern Florida, Cuba, Jnmnica, Puerto Rico, 

and St. Croix. l\ridely planted and naturalized 

in tropical regions, including the Old World. 

OTHER COJfJION ~~am~.-~lamuche (A~~x~co 

commerce) ; ingn dulce (Cuba) ; guamGchi1 (Mexico) 

; jnguny, shahuay, madre de flecha (Guatemnln) 

; mongollano, gunchimol, espino, guayaciin 

blnnco (El Salvador) ; moclligiiiste (Costa Ricn) ; 

gnllinero, chininango, tiraco, chnnchn (Colombia) ; 

yncnre, gunmo blanco, unmacho (Venezuela) ; 

blackbend, apes-earring f~nited States) ; gu?mucllil, 

Manila-tamarind, Rittdrns-thorn (English) ; 

brend-and-cheese (British Guiana) . 

This species was named and described botanictlllg 

in 1795 from Coromnndel, India, where it 

llttd been introduced. The specific name, meaning 

sweet, doubtless refers to the edible seed pulp. 

.\ related native shrub or small tree of coastal 

tlrickots is uiin de gnto or cntclt~w blackbead 

(I'ithecellobit~m unguia-cnfi (L.) Benth.), known 

nlso as r01611, escnmbr6n colorttdo, and catclaw. 

Tllis species with yellomish or pinkish flowers is 

n~lt~ire from southern Florida to northern South 

America.

(18. Gum& merimno, yumuchll 

Natural size. 

Pithcetlobiunt duloo (Roxb.) Benth. 

163


MIMOSA SUBFAMILY (MIA dOSOIDEAE; MIMOSACEAE) 

69. SamBn, raintree 

Pithecellobiurn saman (Jacq.) Benth* 

This well-known beautiful shade tree reaches 

large size both in trunk diameter and in n very 

broad arched crown. It is further identified by: 

(1) twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) with many 

nearly diamond-shaped leaflets 3/4-1% inches long 

and 3/-3h inch broad, the s~des unequal, the outer 

leaflets considerably larger than the otll~rs, and 

the pairs of leaflets folding together at nlght and 

on cloudy days; (2) delicate flower heads 2% 

inches across and 11, inches high, a mass of numerous 

threadlike stamens pink in outer half nnd 

white in inner half; and (3) flattened brown or 

blackish pods 4-8 inches long, about 5/g-3/4 inch 

wide, and inch thick, straight or a little curved, 

with sweetish pulp, late in splitting open. 

An evergreen tree attaining 50-65 feet in height, 

with a relatively short stout trunk up to 4 feet in 

diameter. Crown of long, stout, horizontal 

brnnches is broader than tall, becoming 100 feet 

or more across. The gray bark js rough, furrowed 

into long thin plates or corky ridges. Inner bark 

is pink or light brown, bitter. The stout greenish 

twigs are minutely hairy. 

The alternate leaves are about 10-16 inches long. 

The axis and 2-6 pairs of branches (pinnne) are 

green and finely hairy with swelling at base of each 

and a gland dot on axis where branches join. 

Each branch (pinna) bears 6-16 paired stalkless 

leaflets with a gland dot between each pair. 

Branches toward apex are longer and with more 

leaflets. Leaflet blades are blunt and with a 

minute point at apex, short-ppinted at base, the 

edges not toothed, slightly thickened? the upper 

surface shiny green and with veins ralsed a little, 

and the lower surface paler and finely hairy. 

Severnl flower clusters (heads or umbels) are 

lateral near end of a twig, each on a green hairy 

stalk 21/24 inches long and composed of mnny 

narrow tubular flowers, pinkish, tinged with p n , 

short-stalked. The narrow green cnlys is tubular, 

about 1/4 inch long, 5-toothed, and finely hairy; the 

narrow pink nnd greenisll-tinged corolla 

inch long is also tubulnr, &lobed, and finely ha~ry ; 

the many stamens united in tube near bnse have 

spreading, very long, thratdlilre filaments about 

1% inches long and dotlike anthers, soon wilting 

and shriveling ; and the pistil consisting of 1-celled 

light green ovary inch long and a threadlike 

pinkish style 14% inches long. 

The hard seed ods have a raised border. They 

contain severti1 o 6 long reddish-brown seeds about 

5/16 inch long (about 2,500 to a pound). Flowering 

from spring to fall. fruit~ng from fall to 

winter. 

Tho sapwoocl is tlii~i ancl yellowish, and the 

lieartwood dark cliocoltlte brown when freshly cut, 

becoming attractive light to golden brown with 

darker stlwtks. The wood is soft, lightweight 

(specific gravity 0.44), of medium to coarse texture, 

nnd fairly strong. It is durnble to very durable 

in respect to decay and resistant to dry-wood 

termites. It takes a beautiful finish but is often 

cross-grained and difficult to work. The rate of 

air-seasoning is moderate, and amount of de-pade 

is considerable. Machining characteristics are as 

follows: planing, mortising, sanding, and resistance 

to screw splitting are good; shaping and baring 

are fnir ; and turning is poor. 

Elsewhere the mood has been employed occasionally 

for furniture, interior trim, and general 

construction. It is suitable also for boxes and 

crates, veneer, plywood, and paneling. In Central 

Ariierica cross sections of thick trunks have served 

ns wheels of ox carts. 

The trees in Puerto Rico are valued mainly for 

shade and beauty. The nutritious pods are relished 

by cattle, hogs, and goats and have a flavor 

like licorice, which some persons like. A honey 

plant. In a few countries samh hns been employed 

as shade in plantations of coffee and cacao, 

though less at present than formerly. Because of 

their enormous growth the trees compete heavily 

for water and soil nutrients, injuring the shrubs. 

Easily propagated from seed and cuttings and 

of rapid growth. Cattle dissemin~te the seeds in 

pastures. A famous giant in Trinidad more than 

100 years old was measured as 8 feet in trunk diameter, 

147 feet high, and 187 feet in spread. 

Sometimes tiws become topheavy and dangerous 

along high~vays and near houses. The many surface 

roots may also be objectionable. Perhaps better 

suited to dry rather than moist localities, being 

of smaller size in arid laces. 

Cultivated along ? lighways and streets and 

planted and naturalized as a pasture shade tree 

in both the moist and dry coastal regions and in 

the lower Cordillera region of Puerto Rico. Also 

in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

RANGE.-Native from Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula) 

and Guatemala to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. 

Widely planted and naturalized elsewhere in 

cont,inental tropical America from Mexico southward, 

throughout the West Indies (except Bahamas), 

and rn Old World tropics. Grown also in 

southern Florida. 

OTHER COMMON ~~~m.---dormil6n pango 

(Puerto Rico) ; licorice giant tibet ($irgin Islands) 

; samiin (~~anisil) ; algambo, algambo 

clel pais (Cuba) ; algarrobo (Mexico, Guatemala) ; 

cenicero (Guatemala, El Savador, Costa Rica) ; 

carreto, zorm (El Salvador) ; samaguare, campaiio, 

genizaro (Colombia) ; lam urero, carabali 

(Venezuela) ; huacamayo-chico (beru) ; raintree, 

saman (Engl~sh) ; gunngo (Jamaica) ; cow-tama-


Pitltecellobium eamatt (Jacq.) Benth. 

165

ind (Grenadines, Trinidad) ; French tamarind, 

guango (British Guiana) ; monkeypod (Hawaii 

arbre B pluie (French) ; gouannegoul (Haiti 

samana (Gudeloupe) . 

&Y~ANICAL ~ ~~~os~~s.-Samnea saman (Jacq.) 

Merrill, Enterobbium saman (Jacq.) Prain. 

The Spanish word "samiin" and the specific name 

are from the South American aboriginal name. 

Several origins of the English word raintree and 

its French equivalent have been given. Early 

travelers reported that the trees mysteriously pro- 


duced rain at night and would not sleep under- 

neath. Others observed the grass to be R""' 

beneath the trees during droughts. Anot er ex- 

planation was that the rain was excreta of cicada 

insects inhabiting the trees. More plausible is 

that the leaflets close up at night and in cloudy 

and rainy weather, indicating the approach of rain 

and also letting rain fall through the crown to the 

grass beneath. The Spanish name dormil6n re- 

fers also to the movements of the leaflets suggest- 

ing sleep at night. 


70. Bayahonda, mesquite 

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.* 

A small flat-topped spiny tree or shrub of dry erately hard, heavy (specific gravity 0.8), tough 

areas recognized by: (1) slightly zigzag green to and strong, easy to work, resistant to decay, and 

brown twigs with paired stout brown or gray durable in the ground but susceptible to attack by 

spines at the enlarged nodes; (2) leaves twice pin- dr wood termites. 

nate (bipinnate) with 1 or sometimes 2 pairs of 6sed in Puerto Rico only for fenceposts and 

lateral axes (pinnae), each with 12-25 pairs of al- crossties. Elsewhere the wood hns served for 

most stalkless narrow leaflets 1/4-5/8 inch long; (3) vehicle parts, rural car entry, furniture, and 

many small pale yellow flowers about s/10 inch formarl even paving bloc 

3: 

R s. It is a superior fuel 

long, crowded and almost stalkless in narrow and ma es charcoal of high quality. An amber 

drooping clusters 2 4 inches long; and (4) light gum resembling gum arabic exudes from the trunk 

yellowish-brown, flattened but thick pods 4-9 and, when dissolved in mate:, becomes a mucilage. 

inches long and 5/1& inch wide, and not splitting The bark has been employed 1n tanning. 

open. The nutritious pods are browsed by livestock 

Deciduous, 20-30 feet high, with a short crooked .and eaten by children. Cattle are partly responsitrunk 

to 1v2 feet in diameter, and with broad ble for the extensive invasion of pastures by this 

crown of very thin spreading foliage. The gray tree. Indians of YIexico and southwestern United 

or brown bark is rough and furrowed, thick and States ground the pods into meal as a staple food 

becoming slightly shaggy, the inner bark yellow- for baking and for mixing with water as a beverish, 

fibrous, and slightly bitter. The spines (stip- age. This is an important hone plant, and bees 

ules) are j/4-1 inch or more in length. 

commonly are seen around the 2 owars, which are 

The leaves, mostly borne on very short twigs not frapant. 

along larger ones, often are crowded though actu- Naturnlized in thickets and dry forests in the 

ally alternate. They are 3-6 inches long, with dry limestone and dry coastal regions of southern 

slender green leaf axes. Blades are narrow (lin- Puerto Rico, commonly invnding pastures. Ocear-oblong), 

?/10-y8 inch wide, rounded at both casionally lanted for ornament. Also in Mona, 

ends or minutely pointed at apex, slightly oblique St. Croix, &. Thomns, and Tortola. 

at base, thin, and dull blue green on both sides. PUBLIC FORESTS.--A~U~I'~~, GuSnica, Sda. 

Flower clusters (spikes) are lateral, often on ~~UNICIPALZTIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

twigs back of leaves. Flo\\ler buds are yellow 12,38. 

green. The greenish-yellow tubular calyx is less RANGE.--Including its geographic varieties na- 

than 340 inch long; bell-shaped, and 5-toothed; tive from southwestern United States (Texas to 

there are 5 narrow jireenish-~ellow petals 'h inch Kansas, Utah, and California) south through 

long, hairy an illslde; 10 spreading yello\~-orange 

stamens with brown anthers, less than 3/10 inch 

long; and pistil 3/16 long with light 

green ovary and slender whitish curved style. 

The pods are about %6 inch thick and 

curved or straight. The brown seeds 1/4 inch long 

am imbedded a whitisl, slistly s\vwt pulp, 

Jfexico and Central America to Colombia and 

vellezue]a and perhaps southward. 

Tllrou+ West, Indies, apparently introduced and 

naturalized, from Bahamas and Cuba to Barbados 

and Trinidad in Bonaire, Cmao, md 

hrnba. Also naturalized in Hawaii and Old 

which can be eaten. Flowering and fruiting 

through much of the year, chiefly in the summer 

and fall. 

The thin sapwood is light yellow, and the heartwood 

yellowish to dark brown. The wood is modlITor1d 

This species seems to be very much at home in 

Puerto Rico and other islands of the West Indies 

even tllough not native. The locrclity of the botanical 

type specimen is Jamaica, though an 

166

70. Bayahonda, n~esqulte 

687-921 0--8-12 


Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. 

167

authority on the Rorn of .Jamaica wrote 2 centuries 

;\go tllttt. this species \vns int,rocluced there from the 

cant inen t. 

I C~OZIJIOS S.\JIES.-:lronla nmericnnn 

(I'nerto Rico) : ttlgnrrobo (Virgin Islands) ; bnytchonc\n 

(l~on~inicnn Repnblic) ; mesquite, 

pa116, nt~nbri,~~, nlgilrrobo del Rrnsil ($i:j)i 

~~~ezq~~ite, cr~tziniec, nlgitrrobo (Jiesico) ; nncascol 

(Guntemaln) ; nlgnrrobo (Hondurns) ; cnrb6n 

(El Snlvndor) ; ncncin de Cntnrina (Nicarng~n) ; 


t~romo, ~nnncn-cnbnllo (Pnnnma) ; trupillo, mancacnbnllo 

(Colombin) ; cuji yn ue, cuji negro, cuji 

cntw.;i, cnji, y~iclne (lrenezueln 7 ; mesquite (United 

Stntes, Br~httm:~s) ; cnshnm (Jamaica) ; mesquitt 

reo (Tri nitlnd ) ; bnyahon, bnynrone (Haiti) ; 

indjn, qui, cuidn, kuigi (Dutch West Indies). 

13or~slc-.\~, s~sosu~rs.-A' e l t oc m a julijlora 

(Sw.) Rn f., I'ro~oyix ciiil'en.ds nuth., not P. chimxix 

(Jiol.) Stuntz. The lnst is n closely related 

species of Chile nnd Argentina to Peru. 

CASSIA SUBFAMILY (CAESALPINIOIDEAE; CAESALPINIACEAE) 

Key to the 10 species illustrnted (Nos. 71-80) 

A. Leavea simple or of 2 leaflets. 

R. Iaavecl simple, with 2 rounded lobes at apex-71. Rauhii~ia ntonandra.* 

BB. Leaves of 2 leaflets, paired, long- or short-pointed at apex-76. Hl)menaea courbarfl. 

U. Leaves compound, of several to many leaflets. 

0. I.eares once pinnate. 

D. Leaflets mostly more than 2 Inches long, ovate and broadeat toward base. 

E. Leaflets with short, green stalks jg-% inch long, without black dot-72. Casefa @tula.* 

EE, Leaflets with very short, red stalks so inch long, with scattered raied black dots on lower surface- 

70. StalrIia nlOtl08pOf~tU. 

DD. Lenfleb less than 2 inches long, mostly oblong, with edges nearly pnmllel, 

F. Leaflets symmetrical. 

O. Lcnflets short-pointed or rounded at apex-73. Caaefa favantca.* 

GQ. Leaflets rounded with bristle-tip at apex-74. Cassia afarnca.. 

FF. Leaflets oblique at base and slightly asymmetrical--80. Tantarindue indfca.* 

CC. Leave6 blpinnate. 

H. Leaves consisting of a spine and 1 or 2 pairs of drooping yellow-green strips (lateral axes) W inch broad 

benring numerous amall leaflets ?&+c inch long, which shed early-77. Parkineonia aculeata.* 

HH. Leaves regularly bmnched, not spiny, with 10-30 pain, of lateral axes (pinnae), each with nnmerane 

leaflets and featherlike. 

I. I&afleLq less than 9g inch long; young twlgi~ and leaf axe8 greenish. tlnely hairy-76. Delonia reg&.* 

11. Leaflets %-% inch long; young twi@ and leaf axes with dense coat of reddish-brown hairs-78. 

Peltophorum inernte.* 

7L Mariposa, butterfly bauhinia Bauhinia monundra Karz* 

This cultivated ornamental small tree is easily 

recognized b : (1) the odd somewhat rounded 

lenves divice8 nhut $$ their iength into 2 rounded 

lobes sliglltly suggesting n cow's hoof nnd with 13 

or 11 rndint~ng main veins from the heart-shaped 

base; (2) the very Inrge and showy flowers 21h-3 

inches across, with 5 slender-stalked, narrow, 

spoon-shn ed pink petnls dotted red (1 petal 

~nostly re d ) ; and (3) the flat pods nbout 8 inches 

long, 1 inch broad, and l/s inch thick, I\-it11 n long 

nnrrolv point ttt npes, twisting ns they split open. 

A smnll ever reen tree or sometimes a shrub 

growing 10-80 eet hi h and to 1 foot in tn~nk 

dinmeter. The brnnc h es nre widely spreading. 

Bnrk of smttll trunks is smooth with dots (lentieels) 

nnd whitish gray. Inner bnrk is whitish and 

tasteless. Young twigs nre finely hairy. 

The nlternnte lenves hnre long hniry petioles 

1-2 inches long. Iknf blndes are mostly 2-4 inches 

Ion nnd 241h inches brond or sometimes larger, 

witf +he edges not toothed nnd n short bristle 1/8 

inch long between tlie 2 lobes, very thin, the upper 

surface light green and l~nirless, and the lower surface 

pale gray green and finely hairy. 

Flotver clustels (racemes) are terminnl and unbranched, 

\\-it11 few male and bisexual flo~rers on 

The pods split open mith force, twisting into 2 

tlrts nlid scnttering the many seeds. The shiny 

knok seeds nre elliptic, flat, and H inch long. 

Flowering and fruitlng nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is whitish and hard, and 6h0 heart- 

wood recorded ns brown. Wood used only for 

fuel in Puerto Rico. One use reported in Jamaica 

is its 11 roadside fence plant; after pollading, the 

long plinble branches nre arrnnged into the frame- 

work of a fence. 

Plnnted in Puerto Rico for the large ornamen- 

tal Rowers suggestive of orchids or butterflies and 

the odd-shaped lenves. Escaped from cultivation

71. hfnrlposn, butterfly bauhlnia 

Natural size. 

Bauhfnta tno~~a#idra Run 

169

and naturalized in roadsides, thickets, and river 

banlcs in the coastal, limestone, and lower mountain 

regions. Also in Trieques, St. Crois, St. 

Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

R.\x-c.~.-Native of southeastern Asia, originally 

described from 13urmn. Planted and escaped or 

naturalized thro~~gl~out the lTTest Indies fro111 Cuba 

and Jainaica to Bnrbitdos and Trinidad. Cultivated 

in southeril Florida. Also introduced in 

northern South America from French Guisna to 

Colo~nbia, in El Salvador, and perhaps elsewhere. 

OTIIER COI~JION ~~Ir~s.-flamboyfin blanco, SFplina, 

vnrittll variable, alas de angel, baujin~a 

(Puerto Rico) ; Napoleon's plume, poor man's 

orchid, bauhinin (Virgin Islands) ; flamboyhn extranjero, 

flanlboytin cubano, pats de vaca (Dominican 

Republic) ; casco de mulo, pata de vaca 

(Cuba) ; umpe (Venezuela) ; butterfly bauhinia, 

butterfly-flolrer, pink bauhinia, pink orchidtree 


(TTnited States) ; Je~usalem-date, bntterfly-flower 

(Jnmaica) : cleus jurnelles, carnctdre des homnles 

(Haiti) ; vlinderbioenl (Dutch West Indies). 

BOT~\XIC,\L slr~oxnrs.-Buuhinian knpplen' 

Sagot, Cnapar-eopsis ?rt.o~ta?id?*a (Kurz) Britton & 

Rose. 

The specific name refers to the odd single stamen 

nd~ich, holvever, is not restricted to this species. 

Tlle 2-lobed leaf characteristic of the genus corresponds 

to n leaf with 1 pair of leaflets partly 

united. 

A few related species of shrubs or sinall trees 

have been introduced as ornamentals. Pnlo de 

orquideas, poor man's orchid, or Buddhist baul~inia 

(Bmhinia vnriegata I,.*; synonym Phnera 

~!crrz'cgata (L.) Henth.) , has large variegated orchidlilce 

flowers with 5 stamens and the leaves divicled 

to the middle into 2 lobes. 


72. Caiiafistula, golden-shower Cassia fktula L.* 

This familiar planted tree occasionally escaping 

from cultivation is identified by : (1) the large even 

innate leaves 12-16 inches long, w~th 8-16 paired, 

Krp,.very thin, ovate leaflets 3-6 inclles long and 

194-294 inches broad i (2) long droo ing clusters 

of long-stalked, beautiful, golden ye1 f ow flotl-ers 2 

I inches ttcross the 5 widely spreading petals; and 

(3) very long cylindrical blackish pods 15-24 

inches long and about 3h incl~ in diameter. 

-4 medium-sized deciduous tree reported to become 

50 feet tall and 1y2 feet in trunk diameter, 

usually much smaller, with straight axis, horizontal 

and spreading branches, and an open crown of 

thin foliage. Tha bark is smooth and gay, becoming 

scaly and reddish brown. The dark green 

twgs are minutely hairy. 

The alternate leaves are composed of 8-16 leaflets 

with sl~ort stalks l/g-l/ inch long, loosely a?mnged 

along the slender, finely hairy, green ans. 

Leaflet blades are short-pointed at both ends, not 

toothed on edges, green and hairless on upper surface, 

and paler and minutely hairy beneath. 

The flower clusters (racemes), terminal and unbranched, 

8-24 inches or more in length, bear several 

to many lax, slightly fragrant flowers on very 

slender, nearly horizontal, green stal ks 1%-2 

inches long. There are li yellow-green finely halry 

sepals 3/1& inch long; 5 stalked nerirly equal, bright 

yellow petals 1-1% inch long, elliptic and with 

reins; 10 stamens, 3 of which have very long filnments, 

soon falling; and slender, curved, minutely 

hairy, green pistil 1y2 inch long with stalked, 

slender, l-celled ovary and style. 

The pods, which hang downloard, do not split 

open but have many cross \~alls, each containing 

a single seed embedded in dark brown sweetish 

pulp. The seeds are shiny, light brown, and flattened. 

Flowering and fruit~ng nearly through 

the ear. TL reddish wood is very hard, heavy (specific 

gravity kg), strong, and durable. Suited as a 

construction mood and used also for cabinet and 

inlay work, farm implements, and posts. 

In Puerto Rico the trees are valued principally 

as ornamentals for the showy golden flowers. 

However, the trees are very susceptible to attack 

by scale insects. 

The drug cassia fistula, a mild laxative, is obtained 

from the sweetish pulp of the seed pods, 

which are sold in local markets for this purpose. 

The medicinal properties were known even by the 

ancient E ptians. Flowers, seeds, and bark have 

tanning. P' 

been emp oyed also in medicine, and the bark in 

Along hi li\rays and streets and around houses 

chiefly in t 7 le moist, and diy coastal regions of 

Puerto Rico. Sometimes escaping and naturalized. 

Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. 

John. 

RANGE.-Native of tropical Asia. Widely cultivated 

and locally natumlized in the tropics including 

West, Indies and continental tropical 

America. However, in many places it is less common 

t,21an related species known by the same common 

names. Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands, Lesser Antilles, and Trinidad. 

A common ornamental in southern Florida 

tlnd planted also in Bernluda. 

OTHER COBKNON ~~~r~s.-~aiiafistula, caiiafistola 

(Spanish) ; golden-shower, golden-shower senna, 

shower-of-gold, Indian laburnum, pudding-pipe

72. Caiiaflstula, golden-shower 


tree (United States, English) ; cassia-stick-tree southwestern Puerto Rico and elsewhere planted 

(.Jamaica) ; Indian laburnum, purging cassia and locally naturalized. It llas reddish or ur- 

(Trinidad) ; case (Haiti) ; citn6fice, canhficier, plish flowers and leaves less than 12 inches f ong 

casse-habitant (Guadeloupe) . with 14-40 oblong leaflets usually less than 2 inches 

Cafinfistuln cimarr6na or pinksllo~ver cassia long. Several native species of this genus are 

(Cassia grandis L. f.) is a related tree species of shrubs or herbs. 

LEGUME FAMILY (LEGUMMOSAE) 


73. Casia rosada, pink cassia Cassia javanica L.* 

This cultivated ornamental and shacle tree differs 

fro111 related species, sricll as cniiafistula, in 

having u spreacling arched crov-n and clusters of 

11e:tutiful li~rge fragrant flowers, bright pink instead 

of yellow. The leaves are even pinnate, 

mostly 8-15 inclles long, with usually 16-20 (someti~~~es 

as few ns 10 or up to 30) paired oblong leaflets 

1%-2?4 inclles long nnd 96-1 inch broad. The 

very long, slencler, cylindrical, dark brown pods 

are 16420 inches long and .5/s inch in diameter and 

do not split open. 

h meclium-sized, generally deciduous, tree 40 

feet or Inore in height and 1 foot or more in trunk 

diameter, the trunk occi~~ionally with a few stout, 

tltil-k gray, spine-tipped briinchcs 2-4 inches long, 

ancl 1~1th wiclespread crown of thin foliage. The 

pray bark is smoothish and thin, with many thin 

fissures. Inner ba~k is light brown and slightly 

hitter. The long sl~ghtly drooping twigs are green 

iind 1nin11te1-y hairy. 

The leaves are alternate, commonly spreading in 

2 rows. The leitflets :Ire regularly arranged on 

short stalks 1/,6 incll long, nearly equal in size, 

mostly in pairs itlong the slender, green, finely 

Iiitiry itsis. Lei~flet blitdes :Ire short-pointed or 

rounded at tipex, :tnd thin minutely and inconspicuously 

hairy on both sides, dull green above and 

gray green beneath. 

Plower clusters (panicles) are lateral, 5-9 inches 

long and broad, containing many large rosescented 

flowers about 2 inches across, eilch on a 

long, slender, dark red, finely llniry stalk 1-11/2 

inches long and slightly curved upward. There 

we 5 concave, pointed, dark red, finely hairy sepals 

1/4 inch long, greenish tinged inside; 5 spreading 

oblong pink petals 1-1% inches long, short-stalked 

at base and rounded at apex, minutely hai 

reddish veins but the color of petals fa 7, lng to 

\vhitisl~ with age; 10 yellolv stamens, 3 about 1% 

inches long and with a swelling beyond middle, 

i~n

73. Casia rosada, plnk cassia 


Cmsta javanica L. 

173



74. Casia de Siam, Siamese cassia Cassia siarnea Lam.* 

This introduced tree commonly planted along attack by dry-wood termites, is used locally as a 

higlways and in windbreaks is characterized by : good fuel and for posts. Elsewhere employed for 

(1) a generally erect crown, not spreading like construction, furniture, turnery, and similar purmost 

sinlilar species ; (2) even innate leaves 9-13 poses. Tannin has been extracted from the bark. 

inches lon with 12-22 paire oblong or lancef 

9 

In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands the 

shaped lea ets rounded at both ends and slightly principal uses of the trees are for ornament, shade, 

shiny green above; (3 the erect large terminal and w~ndbrealts. They form ood windbreaks beclusters 

of numerous b right yellow flowers 1% cause they retain a deep c ? osed crown. This 

inches across the 5 rounded petals; and (4) the species is a relatively recent introduction in Puerto 

many long, narrow, flat, dark brown pods which Rico but no~r widespread as a result of distribusplit 

open to release the seeds. 

tion of uantities of seedlings by the government. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree to 60 feet in It mas % rought to Jamaica before 1837 and in 

height and 1 foot in trunk diameter or sometimes Guadeloupe has beon planted as shade for coffee 

larger, wit11 straight axis. The bark is gray or ancl cacao. The trees are propagated by seeds, 

light brown, smoothish but becoming slightly fis- firow very rapidly in full sunlight, and are suitable 

sured. Inner bark is light brown, gritty and taste- for fuel within a few years. However, they are 

less. The twigs are reenish and minutely hairy very susceptible to attack by scale insects. 

11-hen young, turning f ronTn. 

The seeds, pods, and foliage are toxic to ho 

Tlw alternate leaves bear leaflets in pairs along and cause death quickly after being eaten. & 

the slender, grooved, green and reddish-tinged axis hogs relish the poisonous leaves, farmers in 

on short stalks 1/8 inch long. The leaflet blades Puerto Rico have suffered losses. Trees blown 

are almost all the same size, 1%-3 inches long and over or broken by storms increase the danger. 

1/%-y8 inch broad, with a tiny bristle tip, the edges Thus, swine and perhaps other livestock should 

nyithout teeth, thin, the upper surface almost hair- be kept away from these trees. 

less, ancl the lower surface gray green with minute Commonly planted along highways and streets 

hairs. 

and in parks and yards in both the moist and dry 

Flower clusters (panicles) are branched, 8-12 coastal regions, the moist limestone region, and in 

inches long and 5 inches broad, with many, almost the lower mountain regions of Puerto Rico. Also 

regular flowers on straight, yellow-green, finely common, especially in windbreaks, in St. Croix, 

ka- hairy stalks 1-1% inches long. There are 5 con- St. Thomas, and St. John. 

care, pointed, greenish-yellow, finely hairy se als RAX~E.-Native of Emt Indies, Malaya, India, 

yln inch long; 5 spreading, nearly equal, ye f low and Ceylon but spread by cultivation. First depetals 

5/8-3/4 inch long, short-stalked; 7 stamens of scribed from Siam, as the common and scientific 

different lengths and 3 smaller sterile stamens; and names indicate. Widely planted through West 

a pistil with pale green, minutely hairy, l-celled Indies in Greater Antilles and many of Lesser 

ovary and carved style. 

Alntilles to Trinidad and escaped and naturalized 

Tlle pods, so numerous that they sometimes give locally. Less common in southern Florida and 

an ~inticly appearance to the tree, are 6-10 inches 

fro111 Crrlntemala to northern South America. 

long, about 1/2 inch broad, and I/lo inch thick. stiff, OTI~ER COMBION NAJCES.--C~S~~ amarilla, casia, 

('il~it~ 

ilnd often sliglltly curved. They split up the sides 

sia~nea (Puerto Rico) ; ellow cassia (Virgin 

Islru~ds) ; flambollln alnari 7 lo (Dominican Reinto 

2 parts, releasing the many flat, shiny, dark public) ; casia sinmen. (Cuba) ; Siamese senna, 

bro11.11 seeds 74, inch long and 16,000 to a pound. Siamese shower, lrassod-tree (United States) ; 

TII flower rind fruit throughout the year. 

Siamese cassia, kassod-tree, Bombay blackwood 

Tho s:tpwood is light brown ancl nloclerately (English) ; cnsse de Siam (Guadeloupe) . 

Ilard. The henrt\vood is dark brown and streaked BOTANICAL s Y N o N Y M.-ciacnssia s i am e a 

and ht~rd. The wood, which is very susceptible to (Lam.) Britton.

74. Casia de Siam. Siamese cassia Cmsla siamea Lam. 


175


CASSIA SUBFAMILY (CAESALPINIOIDEAE; CAESALPINTACEAE) 

75. Flamboyhn, flamboyant-tree Delonix regia (Bo jer) Raf.* 

Flambo bn, the widely spreading tree which hang down and remain attached most of the year, 

for~ns arc i es of shade along Puerto Rico's high- even when the trees are leafless. 

ways ancl which is covered with brilliant mnsses of The sapwood is light yellow, and the heartwood 

large orange-red flowers mostly from May to July 

brown to 11ght brown. The \rood is 

or August, is known to all, visitors and residents 

gravity 0.8), coarse-grained, 

alike. Even when the flame-colored blossoms are 

and very susceptible to attack by 

absent, the feathery foliawe and the g~nnt, flat, dry-\rood termites. The large pods as well as the 

blackish or dark brown resembling ~nachetes \rood are used for fuel. 

tnnke identification easy. 

Widely planted along highways and streets and 

This snlall to medium-sized deciduous tree bein parks and wardens of both moist and dry areas 

comes 20-50 feet high and 2 feet in trunk diam- almost throu&out Puerto Rico for the spectacular 

eter, lar e trunks buttressed arid a~lgled towtlrd flowers and for the shade of the broad branches. 

base. T f le gmy-brown bark is smoothish, some- Along highn~~ys the trees often are heavily pruned 

times slightly cracked, and with many dots (lenti- except for the leaning side forming the arch. Also 

cels). Inner ba+ is light brown and tasteless. a live fencepost. Sometimes escaping from culti- 

Long, nearly hor~zontal branches form a broad vation and kco~ning naturalized. Also in Mona, 

flat-topped crown of thin foliage wider than the St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

tree's height. The stout twigs are reenish and Pro agated easily from seed and of rapid 

finely hairy when young, becoming F ~rown. growt R . Since the wood is weak, trees are often 

The alternate leaves are 8-20 inches long and broken by strong winds. After the leaves are shed, 

twice pinntlte (bipinnate) . Along the light reen, the trees are less attractive with their conspicuous 

slightly haily axis are 10-25 pnirs of s P encler pods remaining on the bare branches and with the 

feathery branches (pinnae) 2-5 inches long, mch prominent tunnels and nests of the termites which 

bearing 1240 pairs of very small oblong leaflets commonly attack this species. A caterpillar, or de- 

.?/,,-3/g inch long and l/s inch wide. The nunlerous foliating insect, occasionally attacks the trees and 

leaflets nre stalkless, rounded at base and apex, elimiantes the leaves completely. Another objecnot 

toothed, thin, very minutely hairy on both tionable feature is the surface mot system which 

sides, green on upper surface and paler beneath. sometimes bmlcs sidewalks and walls. Because 

Several flower clusters (r,zcemes) 6-10 ~nches of these undesirable chamcteristics some authori- 

Ion are borne laterally near the end of a twig, ties classify flamboyitn among the trees which 

eacl f with loosely arranged, slightly fragrant should not be planted. 

flom-en. The flowers are 4-5 inches across, on RANGE.-Native of Madagascar. One of the 

slender stnlks 2-3 inches long. Calyx consists of most extensively planted ornamental trees in tropi- 

5 pointed, finely hairy sepals tibout 1 inch long, cal and subtropical regions throughout the world 

(*reen outside and reddish with yellow border with- and locally escaping or naturalized. Southern 

:I; 5 unequal petals 2-2% inches long and %-I% Florida including Florida Keys, southern Caliinches 

wide, with a very long, slender, hairy stalk, fornia (planted), Bermuda, and tl~mughout West 

broadly spoon-sllnped, rounded but broader than Indies. Also from Mexico to Brzil. 

long, sliglltly wavy-margined or crisp, widely ex- OTHER ~MJLON NAMES.-flamboyin rojo, fl,mtencled 

and bending back~vards before falling; 4 boydn colorado (Puerto Rico) ; flamboyant, giant, 

petals are orange red or alnlost scarlet, while 1 giant-tree (Virgin Islands) ; flamboyin (Domini- 

\vhich is longer and narrower tllnn the othe~s is can Republic, Colombia, Venezuela) ; fmmboyiin, 

11-hitish inside wit11 red spots and streaks; the 10 flamboyant (Cuba) ; Arb01 de fuego, tabuchin 

stamens about 1% inches long are slender and 14, ; Arb01 del fuego, flor de fuego (Central 

hairy toward btlse; and tlle pistil has n haiiy 

!!!%i~] ; acacia, fmmboyhn, gl~acamayo (Guate- 

1- 

mala) ; guacamaya, poinciana (Honduras) ; guacelled 

ovary about, l/z inch long and slender style cttmaya (El Salvador) ; cla~ellino, flor de pavo 

;~l)out 1% inches long. 

(Colombia) ; flamboyant, josefina (Venezuela) ; 

The pods tire hard, 14-20 inches long, Z2% flnmboyant-tree (British Gniana) ; flamboyant, 

inches wide, ttnd inch thick, finally splitting into royal poinciana, flame-tree (United States, Eng- 

2 parts. There are many oblong mottled brown lish) ; flamboyttnt (French) ; flamboyant, Julyseeds 

:tbout. yl iiicll lorig ttnd I/q inch broad, tree (1)utch 7ITest Indies) ; fln~nboyant (Brazil). 

itbout 000 to tlle pound. The conspicuous pods I~OTANICAL s~-~o~~~.-Poincbna ?*egia Bojer.

78. Flamboybn, flamboyant-tree Delotlia regia (Bojer) Raf. 

Flower and bud, two-thirds natural size; leaf and fruit, one-third natural size.



76. Algarrobo, West-Indian-locust, courbaril 

This h:lndsome large tibee is charncterized by: 

(1) compound leaves consisting of 2 almost stalkless, 

vey unequal-sicled, oblong, shiny green leaflets 

24 inches long and "/i-ll/z inches broad, shortor 

long-pointed at apex and rounclecl at base, and 

sliglitly tl~iclrenrcl or lentl~ery; (2) the large 

spreaclrng \vllitish flowers about lyL inches across, 

nlunerons in erect terminal clusters with stout 

branches; ;and (3) the erect, large, oblong, rough, 

dark brown pods 2-4 iiicl~es long, about 1%-2 

inches wide, more than 1 inch thick, with edible 

pulp. 

A usually evergreen spreading forest tree to 65 

feet in heiglit nnd 4 feet in dianleter or larger, 

mmrtimes with buttresses. Bark is smootl~isl~ and 

gray, bccolning 1 incli or more in thickness. Inner 

bark is light. pinkish brown. The stout branches 

form a ro~mded, \viclely spreading crown. The 

twig; are stout, brown, and much fissurecl. 

The alternate lellves have n petiole 1/!1 inch long. 

Leaflet blades are shiny green to dark green on 

upper surft~ce, dull yellow green and slightly 

brownis11 tinged on lo~ver surface, not toothed on 

edges, hairless, :~nd shorn mnny lighter gland dots 

when examined \\-it11 a lens against the light. 

Tha flower clusters (panicles) are about 4-6 

incl~es l~igl~ and broad, and flnttened. The bellshaped, 

gray-green, finely hairy, thick basal tube 

(hypanthium) is $k inch long and broad; there are 

5 slightly thickened, gray-green, hairy sepals %-5/8 

inch long; the 5 thin white petals are elliptic, 

%-3/s inch long and a little unequal, covered with 

1ni1111te gltlnd dots; the 10 stamens 1y' inches long 

have white filaments and red anthers; and the pistil 

consists of a stalk projecting beyond the tuhe, 

R flattened 1-celled ovary less than 3/s inch long, 

i111d a rerv slender curved style 1 inch long. 

The pods are thick-walled, hard, contain pockets 

of gum, and clo not open. There are few to several 

oblong, flattened, dark red seeds about 1 inch long 

imbedded in tlie thick pale yello\r pulp. This 

sweet and mealy or polrdery pulp is edible, though 

it has an unpleasant odor, and mixed water 

forms a drink. Tlle large seeds weigh about 120 

to n pound. Flowering from early spring to fall, 

and pods remaining on the tree awhile after 

maturity. 

The thick sapwood is whitish to gray brown. 

Heartwood is dark or reddish brown, often with 

blackish streaks. The woocl is very hard, heavy 

(specific gravity 0.7), mostly medium textured and 

usually with interlocked grain. It is very strong, 

tough, durable, very resistant to attack by dry- 

\rood termites, and slig1;htly difficult to work. Rate 

of air-seasoning is moderate and amount of de- 

Humenaea courbaril L. 

grade is considerable. Machining characteristics 

are as follows: planing is fair; turning is excellent; 

shaping, boring, mortising, sanding, and resistance 

to screw splitting are good. 

An important American timber species producing 

mood of good quality but of limited quant~ty 

in Puerto Rico. Here classed as for furniture and 

sometimes compared with mahogany. Also used 

in carpentry, general construction, ancl for wheels 

and cogs. Elsewhere employed in shipbuilding 

and for railway crossties, posts, looms, cartwheels, 

and balls. The wood should be attractive as veneer, 

plywood, cabinetwol.k, interior trim, and 

turnery. 

The roots and trunk yield a pale yellow or reddisll 

resinlike gum known commercially as South 

American copal. The gum exudes and forms hard 

lunips \\-hicli beco~ne buried in the soil at tlie base 

of n tree. Sometimes as much ns a barrel of gum 

has been found around the roots of a large tree or 

at the site of a former tree. The gum is used main- 

1y in vnrnisl~ but also for incense and local medicines. 

A honey plant. 

Indians made canoes from the smooth hard thick 

bark by stripping in one piece the bark of a lar e 

tree, sewing the ends together. waterproofing t f le 

seams with gum or resin, and inserting wooden 

crosspieces. The bark has been used in medicines 

also. 

Efforts to use this species for reforestation in 

Puerto Rico have shovin it to be unadapted to degraded 

sites and generally of slow g~-ON-th. Shade 

is required at first if the trees are to produce 

straight trunks. Trees underplanted in a forest 

near Rio Piedrns attained heights ranging up to 

20 feet after 13 years. Plantings in the open, for 

shade and ornamental purposes, produce attractive 

spreading trees more rapidly. This makes a good 

roadside shade tree, but locations near houses 

shor~ld be avoided became of the malodorous fruits. 

Scattered in forests, pastures, and along roadsides 

in the moist and dry coastal and limestone 

regions of Puerto Rico. .Also in Vieques, St. 


P~nr,~c ~~RE~~~.-Cambnlnche, Gun jnt aca, Luqnillo, 

Aiarictlo, Rio Abnjo, Susha. 

MUNICIIBALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMB~ON.- 

25,30,32,42,59,69. 

RANGE.-Throughout Jest Indies from Cuba 

nnd J;~maica to Trinidad and Tobago. Also from 

central hfexico to Pen], Bolivia, Brazil, and 

French Guiana. Rarely planted in southern 

Florida. 

OTHER COJ~MON ~~31~s.-West-Indian-locust, 

locust (Virgin Tslands) ; algarrobo (Spanish) ;

76. Algarrobo, West-Indian-locust, courbaril 

Natural size. 

H~menaea courbarfl L. 

1 79

courbaril (commerce, English) ; curbaril, caguai- 

rln, algarrobo de las Antillas (Cuba) ; guapinol, 

cua.pinol, copinol (Mexico, Central America) ; 

papinal, nazareno (Colombia) ; corobore (Vene- 

zuela) ; copal (Ecuador) ; courbaril (Peru) ; lo- 

cust (British West Indies, British Guiana 

7Vest-Indian-locust, stinking-toe (J a m a i c a 

stinking-toe (Trinidad) ; locust, guapinol (British 

Honduras) ; courbaril, simiri, locust (British 

Guiana) ; courbaril (Guadeloupe, Martinque, 

French Guiana) ; locust (Dutch West Indies) ; 


rode locus, locus, loksi (Surinam) ; jutahy, jatob& 

(Brazil). 

The specific epithet is taken from an American 

Indian name, courbaril. Early Spanish settlers 

in the New World ve the name algtxrrobo to this 

and other trees of t f? e legume family suggestive of 

the related Old World carob tree with the same 

Spanish name (Ceratonia siliqua L.*). The lab 

ter, introduced experimentally in St. Croix, has 

pinnate leaves with PI0 elliptic leaflets and flat 

pods 4-12 inches long with edible pulp. 


77. Palo de rayo, Jerusalem-thorn Parkinsonia aculeata L.* 

Small spiny tree characterized by : (1) smooth long-pointed pods contain usually 2-5 oblong dark 

yellow-green or blue-green bark, branches, and brown seeds 94 inch long (5,600 ton pound). With 

twigs; (2) specialized leaves consisting of a ter- flowers and pods throughout the year. 

minal spine and 2 or 4 long yellow-green drooping The sapwood is yello~visli and thick, and heartstrips 

bearing numerous small leaflets l/s-3/la inch wood li ht or reddish brown. The wood is modlong 

which shed early; (3) sliowy golden-yellow erately Rard and heavy (specific gravity O.6), and 

flowers 3/4 inch or more across the 5 petals, in loose brittle, used locally only for fuel. 

lateral clusters (racemes) 3-8 inches long; and Sometimes grown in fences and as n spiny living 

(4) brown pod 2-4 inches long and 1/4 inch or more hedge, The foliage and pods are browsed by livein 

diameter, narrowed between the seeds. 

stock. Elsewhere an infusion of the laves hns 

Shrub or smrrll tree 10-20 feet tall, often brnnch- served in lionle medicines. 

ing near ground, with very open crown of spread- Often planted as an ornamental along roads and 

ing branches and very thin drooping foliage, green escaping from cultivation or nutumlized, chiefly 

throughout the year, though appearing leafless in the dry coastal region of Puerto Rico. Also in 

nfter tlie leaflets fall. The bark is smooth and Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, 

very thin, yellow p n or blue green but becoming iuid Virgin Gorda. 

brown and fissured or scaly on large trunks. RANGE.-Widely distributed in tropical Amer- 

Inner bark is green and slightly bitter. The slen- ica, native of Texas, Arizona, and Mexico and posder, 

sliuhtly zigzag, green twigs are minutely sibly elsewhere but cultivated, spreading, and 

llrliry wxen young. They have paired sllort spines becoming natu~-nlizecl from southern United States 

(stipules) at nodes bordering the larger spine (Florida and Georgia to Texas and California) 

3/8;% inch or more in length, which ends the leaf sorith to Argentina and in tlie Old World tropics. 

nsls. These spines may remain on the branches Also throughout \Vest Indies, probably introand 

trunk in groups of 8 or singly. 

duced, and planted in Berumda. 

The a1tern:tte leaves actually are twice pinnate O'~'I~ER COJIIION NAMES.--fl0r de rayo, flor de 

(bipinnate), consisting of a very short main axis rnn o (Puerto Rico) ; lluvia de oro, acacia, acacia 

ending in a spine and 1 or 2 pairs of drooping Int- de 7 os rn:lsones, cambrbn, siempre-viva (Dominican 

era1 axes 8-12 inches long and l/s inch broad, flat, Republic) ; junco mnrino, espinillo (Cuba) ; ~plo; 

and slightly thickened. Each drooping strip or l-ercle (Mexico) ; retama (Mexico to Colom in) . 

strearnor bears 20-30 pairs of thin, oblong, green, srllfato, sulfatillo, palo de ray0 (Guatemala) ; 

tlerid~~ous leaflets nrld functions as n leaf nfter the si~lft~to (El Salvador) ; acacia de agiiijote (Nica- 

leaflets fall. 

Several sliglltly beanlike fragrant flowers are 

borne 011 slender stnlks. There is a short calyx 

tube with 6 narrow yellow-brown lobes s/le inch 

long, turned clownwiurd; 5 nearly round petals 

:%-*A inch long, yellow, tin ed wit111 omnge, and 

1l:tiry at base, tile upper pet3 sliglltly larger, red- 

spotted, and turning red in \\-itliering; 10 stamens 

M inch long with green filnmcnts and brown 

:111thers : nncl reddis11-tinged pistil inch long 

with hairy 1-celled ovary and slender style. The 

rrlgua) ; yabo, sauce, sauce espino, goajiro (Colom- 

bia); espinillo, pauji, cuji extranjero (Vene- 

zuela) ; mataburro (Peru) ; cina-cina (Uruguay, 

Argentina) ; Jerusalem-thorn, horsebean, palo- 

vertle, Mexican paloverde, retama (United 

States) ; .Jerusiilem-thorn (English) ; horsebean 

(Ruhainns) ; Jerusalem (British Guiana) ; madam 

nxiz, madam yass (Haiti) ; adte-boeuf (Guads 

loupe, Martinique) ; boonchi strena, wonder-tree 

(Dutch West Indies).

77. Pnlo de myo, Jerusalem-thorn 


Parktnaonia aculcala L 

181



78. Flamboydn amarillo, yellow flamboyant 

This handsome ornamental and shade tree, a 

relatively recent introduction to Pureto Rico, is 

characterized by: (1) the feathery or fernlike, 

twice pinnate leaves (bipinnate) 8-16 inches long, 

with numerous paired small oblong leaflets 

inch long and %-3/8 inch broad; (2) the dense 

coat of rusty or reddish-brown hairs on young 

t.wigs, leaf axes, branches of flower clusters, and 

flower buds; (3) many showy rust -yellom flowers 

with 5 rounded petals, in large c usters; and (4) 

conspicuous, broad, flat and winged pods, reddish 

but tui-ning to dark reddish brown, 21/341/2 inches 

long and 1-1:% inches broad. 

A medium-sized to large evergreen tree 30-66 

feet in height and 1% feet or more in trunk diameter, 

graceful and with spreadin branches and 

dense folia e. Most of the trees lere are not old 

f 

enoumh to lave reached large size, the maximum 

else\v%ere being about 100 feet. Bark on small 

trees is smoothish, with dots and lines (lenticels) , 

light pay, becoming brown and furrowed. The 

inner bark is light brown and bitter. 

The alternate leaves consist of a main axis and 

1-4-30 paired lateral axes (pinnae), each bearing 

16-32 paired leaflets. Leaflets have very short 

stalks about 1/32 inch long, are roundecl?nd s!i htly 

notched at apex and rounded and oblique at ?.I ase, 

the edges not toothed, thin, the upper surface reen 

and hairless, and the lower surface paler and nely 

hairy. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are terminal and 

widely branched, nearly 1 foot long. The calyx 

of the fragrant flowers is more than 3/s inch long, 

\\.it11 short tub and 5 .rusty-brown hairy lobes; 

the 5 nearly equal, stalked. rounded petals S/s-sj 

inch long have wavy, finely toothed margins and 

?' 

F 

f 

Peltophorum inerme (Roxb.) Naves* 

are bright yellow with a brown hairy stripe on 

outside; 10 stamens with orange anthers and Haments 

brown hairy at base; and pistil with a hairy 

1-celled ovary, slender style, and broad flat stigma. 

The oblong pods are short-pointed at both ends, 

wing-margined, with 14 flat seeds (5,600 to a 

pound), and do not split open. Flowering from 

s ring to fall (April to September) and fruiting 

c 7 liefly in the winter. 

The sapwood is whitish and hard. To the present 

the mood isused locally only for fuel. 

Grown for the ornamental flowers and attractive 

reddish fruits and as a street or shade tree in the 

larger cities in Puerto Rico and also in St. Thomas. 

Though a fairly new introduction, this species is 

increasing in opularity md being planted more 

extensively+-&s ropagated f mm seed and grows 

rapidly. The flogers attract bees. The trees are 

reported to be\ &nllow rooted and subject to damage 

by strong winds. 

R~Nc~.-Native in Ce Ion, southern India, 

Mnlnyq East Indies, phiHppines, and northern 

Australia. Widely cultivated through the tropics 

though apparently not yet introduced in many 

parts of the New World. Recorded as planted in 

southern Florida., Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, 

Guadeloupe, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, 

Panama, Venezuela, and British Guiana. 

OTHER COMMON NAB~EG.-Y~~~OW flamboyant, 

yellow poinciana (English) ; peltophorum, zapatero 

(Trinidad) ; palissandre (Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL s~~o~m~.-~aesdp~nia femugima 

Decne., 0. inermis Roxb., Peltophorum ferrugineurn 

(Decne.) Benth., P. roxburghii (G. Don) 

Ilcgener.

78. Flambnyhn arnarillo, yellow fla~nbnynnt 

087-9210-64----I8 


Peltophorum inemte (Roxb.) Naves 

183

LEGUME FAMILY (LEGUMMOSAE) 


79. C6bana negra Stahlia monosperma (Tul.) Urban 

This tree of coastal forests of southwestern and 

southeastern Yuerto Rico is easily identified by: 

(1) the pinnately compound leaves with 6-12 oposite 

lance-shaped to ovate leaflets 11/4-3% inches 

Eng and j/rllh inches broad, on red stalks rr-it11 

scattered black raised dots (glands) on lower surface; 

(2) the clusters of pale yellow flowers about 

$4 inch across the 3 petals; and (3) the odd, elliptic, 

thick and fleshy, red pods 2 inches or less in 

length, not splitting open. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree 25-50 feet in 

height and 1-11, feet in trunk diameter. Usual1 

small, because the large trees have been cut. Bar z 

on small trur~lrs is dark gray and smoothish, be- 

coming rough, much furrowed, and thick on large 

trunks. Inner bark is light brown and bitter. The 

twigs are bran-n and hairless, with raised gray 

dots (lenticels) . 

The leaves nre alternate, 4-7 inches long, with a 

yellow-brou-n asis and with stalks of individual 

leaflets $i6 inch long. Leaflet blades are short- 

pointer1 at apes. rounded and slightly oblique at 

base, the edges slightly wavy, thickened and lenth- 

ery, shiny on upper surface and dull beneath. 

Flon-er clusters (racemes) are terminal and lat- 

eral, 3-6 inches long, unbranched, and the flowers 

with short stalks l,li inch long. The funnel-shaped 

base (hypanthium) is about 1/8 inch long and 

broad; there are 5 slightly hairy sepals M inch 

long; 5 slightly hairy (pa illose) petals 

inch long; 10 stamens; anc l' pistil wit11 1-celled 

ovary and slender curved style. 

The pods are about 1% inches broad and 8/4 inch 

thick, with odor of ripe apples, light brown tasteless 

flesh, and 1 large seed. Flowering in spring 

and early summer (February to June) and maturing 

fruits in summer and fall. 

The sap~vood is light brown, and the heartwood 

is dark brown. The wood is very hard, heavy, 

strong, durable, and resistant to attack by drymood 

termites. 

Suited for furniture, although considered hard 

for this purpose. illostly used for construction in 

the past. Because of the demand of this valuable 

mood, large trees have become scarce. Perhaps 

this species could be planted both for shade and 

wood. 

Generally found in low areas and near mangrove 

in the dry-coastal region of Puerto Rim east 

to Ceiba. Also Vieques. 

PUBIJC ~on~s~.-Boquer6n. 

RAXGE.-Formerly known only from Puerto 

Rico and Vieques but in recent years found also in 

eastern Dominican Republic near Macao. 

OTHER COJINOX x~~~s.--cdbana, polisandro 

(Puerto Rico) ; coabanilla (Dominican Republic). 

BOTANICAL BYNONYM.-~~~~~~~ maritima Bello. 

The generic name Stahlict honors Agustin 

Stnhl (1842-1917), physician and botanist of 

Raynmcin, Puerto Rico, who wrote "Estudios 

sobre In Flora de Puerto Rico" (1883-88, second 

edition 1036-37), an unfinished publication on the 

plants of the island. This is the only species of the 

genus.

Natural site. 

Stahlia mononpemta (Tul.) Urban 

185

' LEGUME FAMILY (LEGUMINOSAE) 


80. Tamarindo, tamarind 

This well-known handsome planted tree, whose 

sour pods are used in a refreshing drink, is characterized 

by: (1) a generally dense crown of 

feathery, plnnate leaves 24% inches long, wit11 

10-18 pairs of oblong blue-green leafl3ts 3/8-7/8 inch 

long and 1/8-% inch broad; (2) showy flowers 

about 1 inch across, pale yellow tinged ~vith red, 

several in terminal and lateral clusters (racemes) 

1%-6 inches long; and (3) the gray, rough, thick 

pods 1%-5 inches long, containing dark brown 

edible pulp around the seeds. Showy when in frill 

bloom, the flowers giving yellowish color to the 

tree. 

A medium-sized tree to 40 feet high and with 

usually a short trunk to 3 feet in diameter or 

larger, with a rounded crown of dense fine foliage, 

except on very dry sites. The bark is rough, much 

fissu~.ed, gray or brown, and thick. Inner bark 

is brownish, gritty, and slightly bitter in taste. 

The twigs are green and minutely hairy 11-hen 

young, turning gray or brown. 

The leaves are alternate. Leaflets are almost 

stalkless and close together along a slender pale 

green axis, rounded at both ends and oblique at 

base, not toothed, thin, blue green above and 

slightly paler beneath, folding agninst axis at 

night. 

The flowers are slightly irregular shaped, delicate, 

and on slender stalks. Flo\ver buds are dark 

red. The narrow, pale p n ban1 tube (hypanthinm) 

is 5/16 inch long; theIre are 4 pale yellow 

sepals 1/2 inch long; 3 pale yellow petals with red 

reins, lceeled and broader toward the finely wavy 

apex, the 2 outer ones y8 inch long and central 

petal 3/8 inch long, 2 otl~er petals rednced to min- 

ute scales; 3 greenish stamens l/!L inch long, united 

by filaments to middle, and 2 minute sterile sta- 

Inens: and a green beanlilce pistil ys inch long with 

stalked I-celled ovary and curved style. 

The heavy, often curved pods are about 11/24 

inches long, %-I inch micle, and 3/g-s inch thick, 

slightly constrictecl between the seeds, with n 

brittle outer shell, and not splitting open. Usually 

8 or 4 fli~ttened shiny brown seeds % inch long 

are imbedded in the dark brown, fibrous pulp, 

\vhich is edible though very sour. Seeds 400 to a 

pound. Flowering mainly from spring to fall and 

fruiting from winter to spring. 

Tamarindus indica L.* 

The sapwood is light yellow and moderate1 

soft, and the slnall heartwood dark purplis 4 

o n . The wood is described as very hard, 

heavy (specific gravity 0.9), and takes a fine polish. 

It is strong and durable, although very susceptible 

to attack by dry-I\-ood termites. 

'I'he mood is used chiefly for fuel and is reported 

to genernte great heat. In other places 

where the species is sufficiently common, the mood 

is employed for construction, tool handles, furniture, 

and articles in woodturning but is considered 

very difficult to work. Good cht~rcoal for gunpowder 

formerly was manufactured from it. 

Ct~ndy and preserves, as well as the beverage, 

itre prepared from the edible pods. The young 

tender sour fruits hnve been cooked for seasoning 

meats, and the youn leaves and flowers reportedly 

consumed ns food. gesides making the trees ornamental, 

the flowers attract bees and are an important 

source of honey. However, the litter of 

the pods is objectionable in street plantin In 

India the trees are planted 011 forest firebre3s because 

the ground underneath usually is bare. 

The fruit pulp is employed in home medicine 

and formerly mas official as the source of a laxative. 

It contains su ar as well as acetic, tartaric, and 

citric acids an f is antiscorbutic. Decoctions from 

flowers, seeds, youn leaves, and bark of the plant 

have been used me 2 icinally also. A yellow dye 

has been obtained from the leaves. 

Planted in Puerto Rico mainly for the fruits 

nnd ornatnent and shade and occasionally naturalized. 

Fairly common around houses, along roads, 

and on hillsides in the co:lstal regions, mainly on 

, 

the 

honlns, 

dry coast. 

St. John, 

Also 

and 

in 

Tortola. 

Vieques, St. Croix, St. 

I . 

R.\NGE.-Native of the Old World tropics but 

widely planted and naturalized in tropical and 

subtropical regions and introduced into the New 

\Vorld at a very early date. Cultivated and often 

nntnmlized t;liroughout \Vest Indies and from 

Ilexico to Brazil. Planted also in southern 

Florida including Florida Keys and in Bermuda. 

OTIIER co~raro~ NAXES.-taman, ttlmarindade 

(Virgin Islands) ; tamarind0 (Spanish) ; tamarind 

(United Stntes, English) ; tamarin, tamarinier, 

tamarindier (French) ; tamarijn tamarind 

(Dutch West Indies) ; tamarinde (6urinam) ; 

tamrtrindo (Brazil).

W. Tamnrindo, tatrlarind 

Natural slze. 

Tamartndus bdica L. 

187


PEA SUBFAMILY (LOTOIDEAE; FABACEAE) 

Key to the 11 species illustrated (Sos. 81-91) 

A. Leares with 3 leaflets. 

B. Leaflets witli 3 main reins from base, short-pointed at apex. 

C. 1,caflets \\'edge-slial~ed. \\-liitish grcen l)eneatl~: sl)ines nbsent-81. Er~thrina berteroana.* 

CC. Leaflets broadly orate, nearly straight at bnse; spines often scattered on twigs and branchee 

Er~fkrina porppigiana." 

RR. 1,enflets \\-it11 1 111nin rein. ellir~tic to ovate. rounded or sliort-pointed at both ends, ~vliitish green beneath; 

spines scattered on twigs and branclies-53. Erytliritta glauca.* 

AA. Leaves pinnate. 

D. Leaflets rounded, %-31 inch long and brond, witli yello\\-ish spiny or bristle tip; twigs spiny--88. Pictctla 

acrtlcata. 

DD. Leaflets larger, longer than broad, not spiny ; twigs not spiny. 

E. Leaflets paircvi, 10-30 pairs. oblol~g, %-Is inches lolig, rounded at both ends-91. Scebania grandiflora.* 

EE. Leaflets of odd number. 17 or fewer, ornte or elliptic+, larger, short-pointed at apex. 

F. 1,eares less than 1 foot long. 

G. Leaflets paired except at end ; sap watery. 

H. Leaflets Gfl, usl~allp 7. with stoat stalks ?$-% inch long-86. Lonciocarpus Zutlfolfus. 

HH. Leaflets 7-13 or more, with slender stalks. 

I. Lenflcts slightly r;hiuy green on upper surface, 2-5 Inches long--81. Alrdira incrmia. 

11. Leaflets dull green, n~ostlp less than 2 inches 1ong-G. Qliricidia aepium.. 

G(3. Leaflets all attached singly, not paired ; sap dark red. 

J. Lenflets ornte-89. Ptcrocarptts indicrrs.* 

JJ. Leaflets elliptic to obloag-00. Pterocarpti8 oflci~~alie. 

FF. Leaves very large. 1%-3 feet long; leaflets 7 or 9 (sometimes 5), large, 3-12 inches long, elliptic, with 

many pnrallel lateral veins slightly sunken--87. Ormosia krugii. 

81. Moca, cabbage angelin Andira inermis (W. Wright) H. B. K. 

This attractive tree is easily recognized in flower 

by the showy masses of ink to p~lrple pen-shaped 

flowers ?/16 inch long. 6 tller disting~iishing charticters 

are: (1) the rough light gray bark, 

which has an unpleasant cabbagelike odor when 

cut; (2) alternate pinnate leaves with 7-13 oblong 

or elliptic short- or long-pointed, thin, slightly 

shiny green leaflets; and (3) the distinctive stalked 

elliptic or eg -shaped green pod 14% inches or 

more in len@%, containing 1 poisonous seed and 

not splitting open. 

,I mediam-sized deciduous tree becoming 20-50 

feet tall and 6-12 inches in trunk diameter, sometimes 

larger, erect in the forest but in the open 

1nucl1 branched and with dense rounded spreading 

crown. The bark inch thick is much fissured 

and scaly. Inner bark is light brown, sometimes 

with slightly bitter taste. The stollt t\tvigs 

:Ire green and finely hairy when young, becoming 

Iwosvn or pny. 

The leaves 6-16 inches long have n pe8n axis 

enlar.gwd at base, bearing there when young 2 narrow 

pointed peen to brown scales (stipules) 

l/s-lh in& long. Leaflets, paired except at end, 

llare short peel, stdks %-% inch long and 9 

narrow pointed p n soales '/16-l/s inch long at 

base. The blades are 2-5 inches long and 1-2 

inches bmt~d, rounded nt bnse, not toothed at edges, 

turned up a little at midrib, pale and verg slightly 

Or va~in#! in color from yel- 

Ion- green through peen to brownish peen. 

Flo~.r-er clusters (panicles) are broad and much 

brancllecl, 6-12 inches long, terminal or sometimes 

nlso lateral, the greenish branches finely hairy, 

bearing numerous almost stalkless flowers, which 

:Ire dark red to deep pink in bud. The bell-shaped 

calyx tube is s/lG inch long and brond, minutely 

5-toothed at the almost even top, pjnkish tinged, 

finely hairy; there are 5 usually pink petals x6 

inch long, all narrowed and stalked at base, a broad 

rounded standard, 2 wings, and 2 keel petals; 10 

white stamens, 1 free and 9 united into a tube about 

5/3 their lenpth ; and longstalked istil nearly 1/2 

indl long, ~ncluding flattened lig 1 t green hairy 

1-celled ovary and curved slender white style. 

The thick pods (drupes) are slightly fleshy outside 

and hard within, weighing about 20 to the 

pound. Recorded in floaer in winter (Janunr 

and February) and summer (May to ~e~tembery 

and in fruit mainly from summer to December. 

Sapwood is light brown. The highly fi red, 

decorative lieartwood varies from yellowish !?' roan 

to dark reddish brown with sharply contrasting 

bands of light and dark fibers. The wood is hard, 

fairly heavy (specific gmvity 0.63), coarse-textured, 

easy to work, and finishes well. It is suscept,ible 

to attack by dry-wood termites but reported 

to be durable in contact with the ground. 

Rate of air-seasoning and amount ?f degrade are 

modernte ..* Mnchining characteristics are as f01- 

10"s: planing, turning, and mndine are exmlle?t; 

sllaping is fa~r; and boring, mortising, and ~ 1stancetosc 

rensp littingar8god. 

Formerly and potentially for high-grade furniture 

and cabinetwork in Puerto the wood is 

now utilized chiefly for posts and poles because of 

tho small dimensions available. Uses elsewhere 

are fancy turned articles includin 

bntts, umbrella handles, and canes, a f so heavy construction, 

bridge timbers, carpentry, vehicles, piling, 

and boats. 

188

81. Moca cabbage angelin 


Andira fnermls (W. Wright) H. B. K. 

189

Planted occnsionally for coffee shade. This spe 

cies has been tested in reforestation in Puerto Rico 

but \\-:IS abandoned because of very slolv growth. 

It also suffered heavy losses when field mice cut 

stems of many seedlings. Nevertlleless, the adaptability 

of this species to a \vide variety of sites and 

its c:~pncity to produce large crops of fruits wllich 

are dispersed by animals have made it one of the 

most \videspre:~cl trees of Puerto Rico. 

Tlie bark and seeds, reportedly poisonous and 

in large doses causing death, have been employed 

in other places 2s a vermifuge, purgative, and narcotic. 

It is said that smoke from the wood is injnrious 

to the eyes. 

Handsome and very showy when in flower, this 

species has been planted for ornament and shade 

in some countries. As the flonvers are much visited 

by honey bees, the tree is an excellent honey plant. 

Common in all regions of Puerto Rico except the 

upper mountains. Commonest on the lower southern 

slopes of the Cordillep. Found in moodlands, 

along roadsides, fence rows, river banks, and in 

pastures. Also in Vieques, St. Croiu, St. Tllomas, 

St. John, and Tortols. 

PUBIJC ~on~s~s.-A@uirre, Cambalache, Carite, 

(fi~njn+aca, Gl~inica, (ruilarte. Lu uillo, BI:lricao, 

Rlo Abnjo, San Juan, Sush, ~orokegm, TTega. 

~~US~G~I',I~~~?ES WHERE FBPECIAILY COJI3fON.- 

6, 8, 9, 23,3i?, 42,44,46,47,50,53,60,61, 69,70,73. 

R~x~~.--Thr~ugh llTest Indies from Cuba and 


Jamaica to Trinidad. Collected nt l3ahia FIonda 

Key, Florida, and introduced in southern Florida. 

Also from centr:tl hfexico (iUiclloac&n) south to 

Peril, Bolivia, and Brazil, and in western tropical 

Africa. 

Orlmn coararoN ~~~z~s.-moca blanca (Puerto 

Itico) ; dog-almond, dog-plum, false-mahogany 

(Virgm Islands) : palo de burro (Dominican Repablic) 

; yaba, ynba colorada, moca (Cuba) ; maca 

coloradn, pacay, macayo, cuilimbwa, moca, yaba 

(XIeuico) ; almendro (Central America) ; almendro 

cimarrhn, guacamayo (Guatemala) ; pacamayo 

(Honduras) ; almendro macho, almendro de 

do, almendro montEs, almendro real (El Salvador) 

; cocii, carne astlda (Costa Rica) ; coc6, pilhn, 

:~rc?nillo, quira (Panama) ; congo, guayacrin conao, 

1x110 de seca, majngua gallina, peloto (~olombiay ; 

pi16n, chirai, trompillo (Venezuela) ; mot6n 

(Ecuador) ; angelim, angelim da varzea (Peru) ; 

a'unado (Boliv~a) ; cabbage angelin, cabbage-bnrk 

(bnited States) ; angelin (English, commerce) ; 

cabbage-bark (English) ; black-plum (Tobago) ; 

corn~vood, cnrb6n. chaperno (British I-Ionduras) ; 

bntseed, koraro (British Guiann) ; bois palmiste 

(IIaiti) ; angelin, bois olivo (Guadeloupe, Martinlque) 

; angelin palmiste (Guadeloupe) ; reddie, 

rode knbbes (Surinam) ; angelim morcequeira 

(Brazil). 

BOT~E~TCAL SYNONMLS.-~?I~~TU jamnicensis (W. 

Wright) Urban, Geoffroya inetmnis W. Wright. 


82. Bucare enano, machette Erythrina berferoana Urban* 

This small introcluced tree used as a living fence 

is recognized by: (1) alternate leaves with 3 

wedge-shaped leaflets about as broad as long, 

short-pointed at apex and vely broad nt base, dill1 

light green above, and ~vhit,ish green benentll; (2) 

sho\vy masses of coral pink to red flowers about 3 

inches long but very narrow, only inch broad, 

resembling a macllete or sword in shape, many 

b~me in erect unbranched clusters; and (3) the 

dark brown pod 4-6 inches long, very long stalked 

tlnd very long pointed, slightly flattened ancl mncll 

narrowed between the oblong seeds, I\-hich are 

briglit orange red. From related species of the 

same genus in Puerto Rico, bucare enano is clistinguished 

by the absence of spines on twigs and 

trunks, thoupll the trunlr rarely may be spiny. (A 

spiny form occ~~rs in Central America.) 

A deciduous small tree becoming 20-25 feet high 

ant1 1 foot in clia~neter, with branching trtlnlr and 

broad spreading thin crown. The barlt is brown, 

smoothish, slightly \\-arty and becoming shallo\\. 

f~ir.rowed. Inner bt11.k is about 1/2 inch thick, liglit 

yellow, slightly soft, and almost tasteless. The 

stout twigs are shiny green when young, becoming 

Pay 

The leaves 6-14 i~lclies long have light green 

ronnd petioles 3-6 inches long, enlarged at base. 

Leaflet stalks are 3/s-l/z inch long w~th minute 

green glands ttt base. Leaflet blades are 2-5 inches 

long ancl 1y1-5 inches wide, broadly orate and 

oftell nearly diwnond-shaped, not tootlled on 

edges, thin, witll 3 main veins from base. The 

leaflets often are turned upward on edg!, exposing 

the lower surfaces, ~~-11ich are covered w~tli a whit- 

is11 bloom. 

The attractive large flowers usually appear with 

t 110 new leaves. An erect terminal flower cluster 

(raceme) 5-10 inches long bears many ilenrly horl- 

zontal short-stalked Ron-ers successively shorter 

tolvax-d apex. The irregular flower has a tubular 

gteen calyx x-1 inch long, opened on 1 side at 

illlex i11lc1 obccurcly toothed; corolla of 5 unequal 

petals, the coral-pink to red standard 3 inches long 

iulct folded, and 4 very small petals y/8-7/16 inch 

long, 2 wings and 2 Iteel petals hidden mside; 10 

sligl~tly unequal stainens about 21/2 inches Iong, 

united into a t ube most of the length with the nn-

82. Bucare emno, machette 


Erpthritta berterouna Urban 

191

t.hers protruding; and very narrow finely hairy 

pistil 2% inches long with stalked ovary and narron7 

style. 

The pod resembles a string of beads in its elliptic 

swellings about sh inch across outside each seed 

and constrictions between these seeds. The curved 

opened pods with seeds attached remain on the tree 

after maturity. Several oblong seeds nearly s/s 

inch long are very conspicuous when exposed on 

tlle opened edges of the thin-walled pod. Flowering 

in winter and spring (January to April) and 

maturing fruit in spring ( April-May ) . 

The mood is \vhitish, soft, lightweight (specific 

gravity 0.3), and weak. It is seldom used for 

other than fuel in Puerto Rico. Elsewhere it has 

been employed as a substitute for cork and for 

carving toys and figures. 

Posts root readily, so the tree is a common live 

fencepost, chiefly in the moist coastal and lower 

Cordillera repjons. Also in Virgin Islands. The 

plants are propa~ted also by cutt.ings. Besides 

living fenceposts and hedges, the trees have been 

grown as support for the vines in vanilla planta- 

tions. However, severe attacks by defoliating in- 

sects make the species undesirable for this pur- 

pose. Young branches and lextves are a favorite 

food of rabbits. Cnttle eat the young t.\r.igs and 

leaves. Because of the showy flowers this species 

is grown for ornament in addition to shade and 

has been introduced into Florida. 

I11 Guatemala the flower buds, young leaves, and 

young twigs are cooked and eaten like string beans, 

though it is thought that eating quantities induces 

sleep and may be injurious. The poisonous seeds 

of this and other species have been strung into 

bracelets, necklaces, and novelties. Though per- 

haps toxic or narcotic, parts of the tree have been 

LEGUME FAMILY 

83. Bucare, swamp immortelle 

PEA SUBFAMILY (LO? 'OIDEAE; FABACEAE) 

This exotic tree, found in pastures and along 

roadsides in northeastern Puerto Rico, is charac- 

terized by : (1) scattered small spines on twigs and 

stout spines on branchw and trunk, at least when 

young; (2) alternate leaves with 3 slightly leath- 

ery leaflets elliptic to ovate in shape, rounded or 

shortointed at apex and base, shiny yellow green 

to dar R green above and whitish green and finely 

hairy beneath; (3) numerous clusters of large and 

broad, showy, pea-shaped, orange or salmon- 

colored flowers, several erect near the end of a 

droopin axis; and (4) flattened pod 6-10 inches 

long an f 5/R inch wide, md containing 3-12 brown- 

is11 or blackish poisonous seeds. The whitish un- 

dersisfaces of leaves make the tree recognizable at 

a distance. 

A deciduous tree 30-50 feet high and 2 feet in 

trunk diameter, sometimes larger, with broad 

crown of whitish-pen foliage. The bark is light 

employed in home remedies. It is reported that 

the crushed bmnches serve as fish poison and that 

the bark yields a yellow dye. 

RAN~E.--Soutllern Mexico and Guatemala to 

Ptlnama and Colombia. Also in Cuba and Hispaniola, 

perhaps introduced long ago, and naturalized 

in Puerto Rico. Planted in southern Florida 

and Virgin Islands and in the Old World tropics. 

OTHER COJIMON ~~JI~s.-rnachetB, bucayo enano, 

l~ucayo sin espinas (Puerto Rico) ; machete (Virgin 

Islands) ; pjiibn (Dominican Republic) ; 

piii6n de pito, pinon de cerca, bucare (Cuba) ; pito, 

pith (Guatemda, Honduras, El Salvador) ; 

miclle, mnchetillos, coralillo (Guatemala) ; eleqneme 

(Nicaragua) ; gallito, pernilla de 

(Panama) ; pito de peronilla, peronilla, peronio, 

~ntltn ainirin (Colombia) : coralbean (English) ; 

brucal (Haiti). 

Machete, a common name, is suggested by the 

flowers with standard petal shaped like a. machete 

blade and the calyx forming the handle. The 

common name piiiSn de pito in Cuba refers to the 

use of the flowers by small boys in making whistles 

or flutes. The corolla placed in a hollow petiole 

serves as a reed. 

Besides the 3 species described and illustrated 

here, 2 other species of bucare are native, 

and a few others have been introduced. PiiiBn 

espinoso (Erythrina e gerd Krukoff & Moldenke; 

synonym E. hom.ida i ggers, not DC.) , native only 

in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, is distinished 

by the spines on the veins of leaflets and 

$ the narrow red flowers nearly 2 inches long. 

Another s ecies, known as coraltree or common 

coralbean ( $ rythrina corallodendrum. L.), has 

leaves nearly spineless and narrow coral-red 

flowers 2-234 inches long. 

(LEGUMINOSAE) 

Erythrina glauca Willd.* 

brown, smoothish but becoming rough and shallowly 

fur,rowed. Small trunks have stout spines 

3/s-3/4 inch high, a few spines or marts often persisting 

on large trunks. Inner bark is as much 

as 1 inch thick, light brown, soft, and almost tasteless 

or slight1 bitter. The stout twigs are light 

?' 

green and fine y hairy when young, becoming gray, 

with scattered shyrp spines 1/8 lnch or more m 

length and with ralsed leaf scars. 

The leaves are 8-12 inches long, the li ht 

round petioles 2-4 inches long, enlarg ef at %.'Y ase 

Leaflets have stout stalks 3/s inch long, with round 

green glands x6 inch in diameter at base. Leaflet 

blades are 2%-6 inches long and 1y2-3% inches 

midq, not toothed on edges, m vertical position or 

fold~ng together at night. 

Flower clustars (mcemes) are 4A inches long, 

the finely hairy axls drooping and bearing erect 

flowers near the end on stout, dark red and green-

83. Bncare, swamp immortelle 


ish-tin d stalks 3/82! inch long. The bell-shaped 

calyx a y out 96 inch long is dark red, tinged \vith 

green, irregularly %-lobed, and finely hairy ; t.here 

are 5 slightly thickened and succl~lent petials, tho 

large obovtlte, folded, orange-red standard 2%- 

2% inches long and stalked at base, 2 omnge-red 

wings yellow at base and 1 inch long, and 2 united 

pale yellow keel petals 1% inches long; 10 stamens 

2-2% inches long with brown anthers and pale yellolv-green 

fleshy filaments, 9 united into a tube and 

1 separate; and curved pale yellow-green pistil 

about 2 inches long, with a stalked narrow hairy 

ovary and curved style. The distance across an 

open flower may be as much as.4 inches but only 

fi/8 inch in the narrow dimenslon. The poisonous 

seeds are about 5/g inch long. Flon-ering in 

winter and early spring (January to March) and 

with nlilture fruit in spring. 

The heartwood is light yellow to yellowish 

brown and moderately soft. The lightweight 

\\rood is weak, not durable, and scarcely suitable 

for lumber. 

Trees have been planted in pastures and along 

roadsides nnd fences and are ornamental as well 

as shade trees. Uses in other countries include 

shade for cacm and coffee and living fenceposts. 

Propagated by cuttings. 

LEGUME FAMILY 

PEA SUBFAMILY (LO? .OIDEAE; FABACEAE) 

84. Bucayo gigante, mountain immortelle 

Found near Bayamdn, Rio Piedras, and Caguas, 

Prlerto Rico. Also recorded from St. Thomas 

inom than a century ago but not now lanted there. 

RANGE.--Native probabl from 8 llatemala to 

Peru, Bolivia, 13razi1, and enezuela, the original 

range oxtended by cultivation. Also introduced in 

West Indies in the Greater Antilles2 Guadeloupe, 

Martiniquo, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Planted also in sonthern Florida, British 

Hondurasl and in the Old World tropics. Where 

native, th~s species forms pure forests characteristic 

of swamps and stream valleys. 

OTHER 

i: 

COMBCON ~~>rm.-bucayo (Puerto Rico) ; 

pifidn franchs, biicare, piii6n del cauto (Cuba) ; 

guiliqueme (Honduras) ; ahuijote, ahuejote (El 

Salvador) ; por6 (Costa Rica) ; gallito,,pito, pa10 

bobo, palo santo (Panama) ; cSmbulo, bucaro, can- 

tagallo, pisamo, pisamo calentado (Colombia) ; 

bucare, ceibo, anauco (Venezuela) ; palo prieto, 

madre de cacao (Ecuador) ; amasisa (Peru) ; bois 

immortelle (United States) ; swamp immortslle, 

bucare, bocare (Jamaica) ; bocare immortelle, 

water immortolle (Trinidad and Tobago) ; sand- 

colrer, oronoque, cock-tree (British Guiana) ; bois 

immortel, immortel blanc (Guadeloupe, Martini- 

que) ; suifia, assacii-rana (Brazil). 

(LEGUMINOSAE) 

Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) 0. F. Cook* 

This introduced shade tree of coffee plantntions The thin leaflet blades are 2%-7 inches long and 

and roadsides may be recognized by : (1) beautiful 2-8 inches wide, or larger on rapidly growing 

masses of showy orange-red flowers in late winter, shoots, not toothed at edges, with 3 main veins 

when the trees are leafless, the large ea-shaped from base, green and dull or nearly so on upper 

flowers 1%-2 inches long, erect on near I' y horizon- surface, and slightly lighter dull green beneath. 

tnl axes; (2) the trunk and branches often with Horizontal flower clusters (racemes) 4-8 inches 

stout spmnes; (3) alternate leaves with 3 broadly long bear a few open flowers, which fall soon after 

ovate thin leaflets, short-pointed at apex and very opening, and many narrow flower buds progresbroad 

pointed or nearly straight at base, green on slvely smaller toward apex. Thus, the ground 

both sides; and (4) straight, cylindrical, dark under a tree becomes orange red too. The flowers 

brown pod 5-10 inches or less in length and about nre 11h-2 inches long and about half as wide. The 

5/g inch wide, long-stalked at base and long-pointed cup-shaped calyx. is 3/165? inch long, reddish at 

at both ends. 

the top and green~sh below, not toothed; 5 orange- 

A large deciduous tree attaining 30-70 feet in red petals, the large orange standard 1%-11/2 

height and 24 feet in trunk diameter, with spread- inches long, elliptic, keeled, short-pointed, and 

ing crown. The bark is greenish brown or gray spreading, 2 short elliptic wings l/z inch long, 

brown, smootllish or slightly furrowed, warty or olnnge red but yellow toward base, and 2 united 

spiny: Inner bark is thick, becoming 3/4 inch or keel petals 1%-11/2 inches long, orange red but yelmore 

m thickness, whitish, and slightly bitter. The low toward base, enclosing the stamens; 10 stnstout 

twigs are light green and m~nutel hairy mens 1Y4-1V2 inches long, 9 united into a light yelwhen 

young, becoming greenish gray,. wit r I raised low tube and l separate, the anthers brown ; and 

leaf scars, and often with scattered spines '/lo inch narrow greenish pistil about 11/2 inches long inor 

more in length. 

cluding stalked ovary and style. There is some 

Leaves are 8-12 inches long, including the light variat~on in flower color, a few trees having pale 

reen finely hairy petioles 2fh-8 inches long. Lenf- yellow-orange blossoms and others rarely seen 

gets 1, stalks lk$-% inch long with 2 green cup- with scarlet petals. 

like glands about 4/8 inch long at base of lateral The pod contains several brown kidney-shaped 

leaflets and 2 more glands below terminal leaflet. beanlike seeds 5/8 inch long, which are poisonous.

84. Bncayo gigante, mountain immortelle Eruthrina poeppigiana (Walp.) 0. F. Cook 


195

In Puerto Rico flowering usually from January to 

March, sometimes also in August, the fruits ma- 

turing from Febrllary to May. 

The wood is whitish, soft, perishable, and little 

used in Puerto Rico. 

Formerly the trees were widely planted in 

Puerto Rico for coffee shade. Now, however, they 

are not recommended for that purpose. They 

grow- to large size, larger than desirable for coffee 

shade and thus may compete with the crop be- 

neath. The \real< branches are easily broken by 

strong winds or hurricanes. The trees are grown 

also as ornamental and shade trees. 

Centuries ago this species was transported over 

the American tropics from its home in lower slopes 

of the Andes as a shade tree for coffee nnd cacao 

plantations and pastures and for living fences. In 

some countries, especially in the Andes, this is still 

a popular coffee shade tree. 

The bark, twigs, and seeds of various species of 

this genus are more or less toxic. They have pro- 

vided drugs and medicines locally and have been 

employed also to stupefy fish. It is reported that 

the flowers of this species have been eaten in soup 

and salad. 

Chiefly in coffee plantations in the lower Cordil- 


lera and moist limestone regions of Puerto Rico. 

Also in St. Thomas. 

MU~ICIPA~,ITY TVHERE EBPECWLLY COMMON.-73. 

RANGE.-Native robably from Venezuela to 

Panama, south to %cuador, Peru, Bolivia, and 

Brazil. Now extensively planted and naturalized 

in tropical America north to Guatemala and introduced 

into the Greater Antilles, Guadeloupel Martinique, 

and Trinidad and Tobago. Cultivated 

also in the Old World tropics and recorded from 

southern Florida. 

Onm~ co~rafo~ NAXES.-bucare gigante, bucare, 

b6car, brucayo, palo de boya (Puerto Rico) ; bumatell 

(St. Thomas) ; brucal, amapola, mapola 

(Dominican Republic) ; piii6n de sombra, bucare 

(Cuba) ; pito evtranjero (Guatemala, El Salvador) 

; pisamo, saivo, cacliimbo, c6mbul0, pito 

gigante (Colombia) ; bumre, wibo (Venezuela) ; 

bomb6n (Ecuador) ; nmasisa (Peru) ; saibo (Bolivia) 

; anauca (United States) ; mountain immortelle, 

bois imlnortelle (Jamaica, Trinidad) ; 

anauca immortelle, cocoa-mamma? coffee-mamma 

(Trinidad) ; bois immortel (Haitl) ; bois immortel, 

immortel jaune (Guadeloupe) ; mulungi 

(Brazil). 

BOTANICAL sr~onnf.-Eqthm'na micropterym 

PWPP. 


85. Mata-ratbn, mother-of-cocoa Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Stead.' 

Mata-rathn, a small introduced tree commonly 

planted in fence rows and for ornament, is distinguished 

by : (1) odd pinnate leaves 6-16 inches 

long with 7-17 ovate, elliptic, or lance-shaped leaflets; 

(2) numerous showy whitish-pink or purplish-tinged 

pea-shaped flowers about % inch 

long in lateral clusters along old branches when 

leafless or alon branches back of leaves; and (3) 

flat blackish po 5 s 4-6 inches long. 

A small deciduous tree or shnib, becoming 25 

feet tall and 8 inches in trunk diameter, with irmgular 

spreading crown of thin foliage. The 

bark is pity or light brown, smoothish to slightly 

fissured. Inner bark is whitish and almost tasteless. 

Young twigs are light green and finely hairy, 

the older twigs light brown. 

The alternate leaves have slender yellow-green 

finely hairy axes. Leaflets, paired except the terminal 

one, have hair stalks about s/16 inch long. 

The thin leaflet bldes are l'/r-2% inches long 

and inches wide, short- to long-pointed at 

apex, rounded or shortointed at base, not toothed 

at ed es, dull green a ove, and gray green and 

7 

slight y hairy beneath. g 

The numerous lateral flower clusters (racemes) 

2-6 inoles long are many flowered. The attractive 

flowers have a slender green stalk and a bell- 

shaped light green calyx tinged with red, '/r inch 

long and broad, minutely 5-toothed at apex; the 

butterfly-shaped corolla about s/8 inch long consists 

of 5 whitish-pink or purplish-tinged etals, 

the broad standard turned back and yellowis i near 

bnse, 2 oblong curved wings, and 2 united petals 

forming a keel; 10 whitish stamens ."/s inch long, 

9 united in a tube and 1 separate; and pistil 6/ 

inoh long, with stalked narrow red ovary an61 

whitish bent style. 

The pods are yellow pen when immature, turning 

blackish, s-% inch wide, short-stalked at base 

and short-pointed at a ex, splitting open at maturity. 

There are 3-8 d' at, elliptic, shin , blackish 

seeds % inch long (2,000 to a pound). $lowering 

in winter and sprlng (December to May), the fruit 

maturing from winter to summer. 

The snpwood is light brown and the heartwood 

dark brown, turnin reddish brown on exposure. 

The nvood is hard, f ieavy, strong, and considered 

durable in the ground as posts. It is used chiefly 

for this purpose in Puerto Rico because promptly 

set posts generally sprout and take root, lasting 

indefinitely. Elsewhere the wood has been emloyed 

for railroad ties and heavy construction. 

bretty and taking a ood olish, it should be suitable 

for furniture an sma P 1 articles. 

This tree is a popular ornamental or hedge plant, 

being readily propagated from cuttings as well as

85. Mata-ratbn, mother-of-cocoa 

Natural she. 

Bliricidiia eepiun (Jacq.) Steud. 

197

seed and growing rapidly. However, an objection 

to further lantlng of this species in Puerto Rico 

is that the ! oliage often is attacked by an aphid or 

plant louse. These tiny insects spread and multiply 

rapidly, secreting a sweet liquid wl~ich attracts 

ants and causes growth of a black fungus or soot 

mold over the leaves. &Mny blackened leaves fall: 

and automobiles parked beneath the trees may be 

damaged by the Ilquid. 

As the commo? name mata-rathn (mouse killer) 

suggests, the toxic seeds, bark, leaves, and roots are 

used to poison rats, mice, and other rodents. 

Another use of the freshly crushed leaves is in 

poultices in home remedies. The leaves are reported 

to be nutritious for cattle and also to be 

poisonous for horses and dog. The flowers, 

though not fragrant, are visited by bees and are 

a source of honey. In a fen. countries the flowers 

are fried or boiled and eaten. 

The names madre de cacao and mother-of-cocoa, 

applied to this species is some areas, indicate that 

the trees are grown also as shade trees in cacao 

plantations. Before the Spanish conquest, the 

Aztec Indians of Mexico had observed that cacao 

grew well under these trees, which they named 

cacahuanantl or mother of cacao. These trees 

have nodules on their roots containing nitrogenfixing 

bacteria which enrich the soil. 

Another use of mata-xatbn is support for vanilla 

vines. In a few countries the trees, though not 

evergreen, have been planted for coffee shade. 

In Puerto Rico this species is common along 

roads, in fence rows and as an ornamental in the 

moist and dry coastaI regions, the moist limestone 

region, and lower mountain regions. It may be 

naturalized locally. Also planted occasionaliy in 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Tortola. 

RANGE.-Native from Mexico to Colombia, 

Venezuela, and Guianas. Introduced and becoming 

naturalized in West Indies from Cuba and 

Jamaica to Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, and Curacao. 

Planted also in southern Florida and in 

South America south to Brazil. Also introduced 

into the Old MTorld tropics, including Africa and 

soi~therxi Asia and recorded as naturalized in the 

Philippine Islands. 

OTHER 

COMBZON NAB~ES.-madre 


de cacao (Puer- 

to Rico) ; pea-tree (Virgin Islands) ; mata-rat6n, 

mndre de cacao (Spanish) ; pifi6n de Cuba (Dominican 

Republic) ; pifi6n amaroso, pifi6n florido, 

bien vestida, pi5611 violento (Cuba) ; cacahuananche, 

cocoite (Mexico) ; madem nep (Honduras, 

Costa Rica, Panama) ; madriado, madrial, 

caca lance, cacngua Honduras) ; palo de hierro, 

a~ca P" luannnce (El Sa \ vador) ; madrlado (Nicaragun) 

; bala, balo (Panama) ; St. Vincent plum, 

quick-stick (Jamaica) ; Nicaragua cocoa-shade, 

madura (Trinidad) ; quick-stick (British Guiana) 

; lilas Btranger (Haiti) ; gliricidin, gliceridia 

(Guadeloupe) ; yerba di tonka, mataraton, ratonera 

(Dutch West Indies). 

BOTANICAL GYNONPM.-G~~~~!~&~ 

B. IC.) Steud. 

mdcuikta (H. 


86. Retama Lonchocarpus latifolius (Willd.) H. B. K. 

This uncommon though widely distributed tree 

is characterized by : (1) alternate pinnate leaves 

with 5-9, usually 7, elliptic leaflets on thick stalks, 

2-6 inches long, pale light green and finely hairy 

beneath, paired exce t at end; (2) numerous 

crowded purple pen-s f lnped flowers 6/,, inch long 

in lateral clusters which usually are several together 

near end of twigs; and (3) the distinctive 

light bromn oblon flat pods 11/24 inches long and 

y8-1 inch wide, s f lort-pointed at both ends, very 

thin and like parchment, 13-seeded but not splittin 

open, often produced in large numbers and 

rat f; er conspicuous. 

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree 15-30 

feet high and 4-8 inches in trunk diameter with 

crown. The bark is gra to brown, 

smoothis , becoming slightly fissure2 The light 

brown inner bark is slightly bitter. The brown 

twigs are finely hairy when young. 

The leaves are 7-14 inches long, with finely hairy 

green axis and leaflet stalks l/g-% inch Ion . Leaflet 

blades are ll/q-2y$ inches wde, most f y shortpointed 

at apex but varying from blunt to long- 

pointed, rounded or short-pointed at base, the 

edges not toothed, thin or very slightly thickened, 

above green to dark green and hairless, and be- 

neath pale light green and finely hairy. 

Flower clusters (racemes or panicles) are 24% 

inches long at base of leaves, the axis usually finel 

brown hairy and the flower stalks about l/le inc K 

long, also hairy. The flowers have a bell-shaped 

5-toothed calyx 4/8 inch long, finely brown hairy; 

dark reddish-purple to ,mnish-purple corolla of 

5 stalked petals about 1/4 inch long, the rounded 

standard notched at apex and finely brown hairy 

on outside, 2 oblong wings, and 2 elliptic slightly 

united Ireel petals; 10 stamens inch long with 

filaments united; and pistil with narrow brown 

hairy ovary and bent style. 

The minutely hairy pod is thickened and darker 

bromn around the flat seeds, which are bromn, 

kidney-shaped, and 7/la inch long. Recorded in 

flower from March to June and in fruit nearly 


The sapwood is whitish and the heartwood red- 

dish. The wood is hard, heavy (specific gravity

Two-thlrds natural slze. 

Lonchocarpua Zatifoltu8 (Will&) H. B. K.

0.6), strong, and reported to be durable. Used 

chiefly for fuel or fenceposts in Puerto Rico. In 

Cubn the wood is employed for piling. 

Planted as an ornamental in southern Florida 

nnd Cubn. Also a honey plant. The root and 

fruit reportedly have insecticidal properties. 

Along streams nnd in young forests in thq moist 

~astal, moist limestone, and lower mountain forest 

regions of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC ~o~~sl-s.-Cambalache, Guajataca, Lucluillo, 

Susda. 

RANGE.-Through West Indies from Cubn and 

Jamaica to Grenada and Trinidad. Also from 

southern Mexico (Tabasco) , Guatemala, and British 

Honduras to Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, 

and Brazil. Introduced in southern Florida 

and Cuba. 

OTHER COMMON NAIIIES.-P~~O hediondo, forteventura, 

genogen?? ~ l seco o (Puerto Rico) ; 

pnml de costa, fri~olillo amarillo, paml macho 

(Cuba) ; lnataboy (Guatemala) ; cincho (Hon- 

duras) ; gunpaste, cuapnste (Nicaragua) ; coto 

(Costa Rica) ; wurutG, mahomo, jebe (Venezu- 

eln) ; savonette (St. Lucia) ; white savonette, 

savonette jaune (Trinidad ; lancewood United 

States); swamp dogwoo d , dogwood [British 

Honduras) ; dogwood (Cmal Zone) ; savonette 

grand bois, savonnette grandes feuilles, savon- 

nette riviEre (Guadeloupe, Martinique) . 

Two other species of this genus are native and a 

few others have been planted experimentally. 

Genogeno (Lonchocarpl~ domingemia (Pers.) 

DC.), of western and southern Puerto Rico, has 

leathery pods deeply narrowed between the seeds, 

long-pointed leaflets hairy beneath, and twigs 

finely hairy. 

Geno (Lonchocarpw q2nucifolius Urban), 

known only from western Puerto Rico, has narrow 

leathery pods not or only slightly narrowed be- 

tween seeds, leaflets whitish beneath and notched 

at apex, and twigs hairless. 



87. Palo de matos Ormosia krugii Urban 

A tree of mountain forests characterized by : (1) low, 2 wings, and 2 keel petals; 10 separate and 

clean, light tan, smoothish bark; (2) young twigs unequal stamens; and pistil 6/s inch long with flab 

finely brown hairy; (3) very large pinnate leaves tened brown-hairy 1-celled ovary and slender 

1%-3 feet Ion consisting of 7 or 9 (sometimes 5) curved style. 

stout-stalked, F~rge, elliptic, dull p n ledlets with The brown pods are E&Ja/, inch wide, slightly 

abrupt minute point at rounded apex, paired ex- keeled, long-pointed at both ends, and with calyx 

cept at end; (4) many pen-shaped dark violet remaining at base. There are 1-5 seeds, rounded 

flowers S/g inch long in terminal or latern1 clusters; but slightly flattened. Recorded in flower from 

and (5) brown pod 11h-4 inches long, deeply nar- September to November and in fruit from May to 

rowed between the rounded seeds, which are s/s November. 

inch in diameter and shiny scarlet red usually with The sapwood is yellowish, and the heartwood a 

1 or more black spots. uniform salmon color with occasional darker 

A medium-sized evergreen tree 30-60 feet high streaks. The wood is somewhat coarse-textured, 

and to 2 feet in trunk diameter, with broad crown. of medium weight (specific gravity 0.50), with in- 

The bark becomes scaly on large trees. Twigs distinct growth rings, and large open pores. It is 

are stout and greenish. Young leaves, branches very susceptible to damage by dry-wood termites. 

of flower clusters, calyx, and pods are finely brown The rate of air-seasoning is slow, and amount of 

hairy. degrade is moderate. Machining characteristics 

The alternate leaves have a stout p n axis are as follows: planing, shaping, sanding, and rekeeled 

above and swollen at base. The green leaf- sistance to screw splitting are good; turning, borlet 

stalks are S/8J/s inch long, longer on the ter- ing, and mortising are fair. 

minal leaflet. Blades are 3-12 inches long and The wood is used chiefly for fuel in Puerto Rico. 

11h-8 inches wide, the base rounded or short- However, it should be suitable for furniture, millpointed, 

not toothed on e d ~ strondy , ~innabl~ work, construction, boxes, crates, and general 

veined with many parallel lateral veins slightly 

sunken, slightly thickened, the upper surfam dull B~~~~~ of the rapid grodh vigorous 

gmen, and the lower surfme paler and incons~icuously 

fine hairy, especial1 on the veins. 

sprouting of the trees in secondary foresb, 

Flower clusters (panic 7 es) are 6-12 inches long, are being made to find a better use for the wood. 

branched, and many-flom-ered. The short-stalked Apparently the trees are shallow rooted and asi1y 

flower has a brown hairy bell-shaped calyx more blown over, as many are leaning or Prostratethan 

s/s inch long, including unequal pointed teeth ; Possibly suited for shade or Ornament. 

5 dark violet petals about 5/8 inch long, including Found in secondary forests in the lower Luquillo 

broad rounded standard spotted with whiB or yel- and lower Cordillera forest regions of Puerto Rim. 

200


Ormosia krugii Urban 

201

PUBJ,IC ~%~m~s.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, O ~ ~ COJ~J~ON E R NAMES.-matillo, mato, palo de 

Toro Negro. peronias, peronia (Puerto Rico) ; peronia,. palo de 

R,\N~E.-Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Re- peronia (Dominican Republic) ; malcaconler (Dopublic), 

Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. minica). 



88. Tachuelo, fustic Pictetia aculeata (Vahl) Urban 

This sinall tree of dry areas is easily identified with flowers on slender stalks. The bell-shaped 

by : (1) spiny branches, usually several from the green calyx inch long is unequally 5-toothed ; 

base; (2) odd pinnate leaves 21/2-41/2 inches lon there are 5 petals x-1 inch long, narrowed into 

with 9-25 rounded or obovate leaflets %--3/4. incA stalks at base, the bright yellow standard nearly 

long and broad, almost stalkless, each belnng round and curved backward, 2 bri ht yellow obyellowish 

spiny or bristle tip x0-1/4 inch long at Ion wings, and 2 pale yellow peta 

f 

f s forming the 

apex; (3) quantities of showy, bright yellow, pe?- lree ; 10 stamens 3/4-1 inch long, 9 united into a 

shaped flowers 3/4-1 inch long, several together in tube and 1 separate and greenish pistil consisting 

R lateral cluster; and (4) narrow flattened brown of stalked, narrow, hairy, 1-celled ovary and slenpqd 

94-2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide, 2-0- der curved style. The slightly curved pod is finejointed. 

ly hairy and does not split open. Flonyering and 

A deciduous tree or shrub 10-20 feet high and to fruitingnearly through the year. 

8 inclles in trunk diameter or larger. Formerly The sapwood is light brown, and the heart~ood 

reported to 30 feet tall, but now rarely seen that dark brown. Resembling lipumvitae, the wood 

size because most large individunls have been cut. is extremely hard, heavy (specific gravity 0.8), 

Bark of shrubs is brown or gray and smooth with and durable. Used in Puerto Rico only for fencespines 

remaining, on larger trunks separating in posts, since larger sizes are not now available, forlarge 

flakes. Inner bark is yellowish and slightly merly also for larger poles. 

bitter. The slender twigs are bro\~vn or green and Because of the numerous attractive yellow flowfinely 

hairy when young. ers which beautify the countryside, this species is 

The alternnte leaves have at base n pair of suitable as an ornamental for dry areas. Someslender 

spines (stipules) 3/16-4/2 inch lon , brown- times grown as a living fencepost. 

is11 but green when young, and a slen f er finely Co:lstal thickets and pnstures in the dry coastal 

hairy axis. Leaflets are notched or nearly and dry limestone regions of Puerto Rico. Also 

stmight at the spiny tip, rounded or sli~htl in Culebra, Vieques, St. Croiu, St. Thomas, St. 

notched at base, bent up 011 both sides of mldrig Jolm, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. 

tlnd curved cIo\\-n at tip, not toothed on ed es, PUBLIC FORESTB.-~~~L~~~T~~, 

Gulinica. 

slightly thickened, finely hairy when young f >ut MUX'ICIPAI~I~ES wIrEm ESPECIALLY COMBLON.becoming 

nearly hairless, and green and slightly 21,26,28,36,55,66,7.5. 

shin on both surf aces. RANGE.-Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands and 

~%wer clusters (racemes) are 1%3 inches long, reported from Hispaniola.

88. Tachuelo, fustic 

Natural slze. 

Pictdia amleato (Vahl) Urban 

203

89. Pterocarpus, India padauk 



An introduced handsome ornamental, shade, 

and timber tree, distinguished by: (1) a broad 

crown of long drooping branches, some nearly 

touching the ground ; (2) reddish latex sparingly 

produced in the cut bark ; (3) pinnate leaves alternate 

in 2 rows with usually 7-11 ovate, thin, shiny, 

green to yellow-green alternate leaflets, longpointed 

at apex; (4) many showy, yellow peashaped 

flo~vers nearly % inch long, produced in 

lateral clusters; and (5) nearly round brown pod 

1%-1% inches in diameter, flattened and bordered 

by a broad thin wing, stalked at base and with 

pointed style at 1 side. 

A spreading medium-sized tree 50 feet high and 

1 foot in trunk diameter, or larger. Essentially 

evergreen but nearly leafless for a short period in 

spring when old leaves are falling and new leaves 

form~ng. The bark is light brown and finely fissured. 

Inner bark is light brown and reddish 

brown streaked astrin~ent, and ijelding a small 

amount of red hex, sticky and itter, when cut. 

Twigs are green when young, becoming light 

brown, hairless except at apex. 

The slightly drooping lmves about 9-16 inches 

long have $1. slender green axis enlarged at base, 

and the leaflets have stalks about 1/4 inch long. A 

few short leaves have only 3-5 leaflets. Leaflet 

blades are 21/24 inches long and 1%-2% .inches 

wide, the edges not toothed, turned up a little at 

midrib, shiny green to yellow green above and dull 


nt flowers are borne on slender green 

stalks The in f*r c usters (racemes and panicles) 4-7 inches 

long. The slightly irregular bell-shaped pen 

calyx is S/16 inch long, pointed at bnse and unequally 

5-toothed at apex, and minutely hairy ; the 

5 yellow petals 5/S-3/q inch or less in length are 

stalked at be, becoming crinkled, the rounded 

standard 5/8 inch wide and rolled bnckward, 2 

wings, and 2 smaller paler keel petals barely 

united on sides; 10 stamens about S/g inch long, 

Pterocarpue indicus Willd.* 

united by the whitish filaments into 2 groups of 5 

each; and green hairy pistil 7/16 inch long, consisting 

of strtlked narrow ovary and tapering style. 

The winged pods have a roughened wrinkled enlargement 

near the center enclosing 1 or 2 small 

seeds but do not split open. Flowering in June 

and July and maturing fruits in summer to September. 

The reddish hard wood is an excellent timber in 

southern Asia, known as padauk or Burma-rosewood. 

It is listed among the most valuable timben 

in the Philippines, where it is called nam. Uses 

include construction, furniture, musical instruments, 

and cart wheels. 

Lignum nephriticum (Latin for kidneywood) 

\\.as the wood of this Philippine species and of kidneymood 

(Eysenha?*dtz'a polystmhya (Ortee) 

Sarg.) from Mexico. It was known throughout 

Europe from the 16th to early 18th centuries for 

its reputed diuretic properties but is no longer 

employed in medicine. However, infusions of the 

wood are fluorescent, and this odd response to light 

may have been associated with remedies. Cups 

made from the wood and chips of wood impart to 

water a beautiful blue and yellow color, which 

changes in light and shadow. 

Classed among the finest tropical shade trees, 

this species is occasionally planted in Puerto Rico 

for shade and ornament. Introduced by the 

UniMd States Forest Service in 1Q24, it is still 

limited to a few streets and patios, chiefly in the 

metropolitan areas. A honey plant. 

RANGE.-Philippines to Java, Sumatra, southern 

China, Burma, and Andaman Isands of India 

and introduced in southern India. Planted elsewhere 

in the 6ropics for shade, such as in southern 

Floridn, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad. 

OTHER 

padauk, Burma- 

COMBION NAJIES.--I~~~~~ 

coast prrdauk, Rurma-rosewood (English) ; rose- 

wood (Trinidad).

89. Pterocarpw, India padauk 


Pterocarpus indicus WiUd. 

205



90. Palo de pollo, swamp bloodwood 

Large tree of swamp forests and stream borders 

in mountains, easily recognized by t!le enormous 

narrow planklike buttresses extending hidl up 

trunk and horizontally along mots and by the dark 

blood-red latex in bark. Other distinguishing 

ctlaracteq are : (1 alternate pjnnate leaves with 

1 

5-9 elliptic to ob ong long-pointed shiny greet1 

alternate leaflets; (2) clusters of yellow peashaped 

flowers %-% inch long and broad; and 

(3) flat, irregularly rounded, dark brown \vingecl 

pods 1%-2 inohes in diameter. 

An everpeen tree 50-90 feet tall and 2-3 feet 

in trunk dlameter above buttresses. Trunks often 

are curved or crooked and fluted. The very prominent 

buttresses on large trees sometimes rise to 15 

feet in height and may be 2-5 feet wide at base, 

often extending outward along roots a distnnce 

of 10 feet. These buttresses, frequently 4 large 

ones to a tree with slnaller ones between, and 

scarcely 1 inch wide, generally curve snakelike 

along the forest floor. Rark of trunk and buttresses 

is smoothish light bromn, becoming finely 

and thinly fissured and scdy. Inner bark is light 

brown, with dark blood-recl streaks in inner part, 

slightly bitter, containing bitter latex. Twigs are 

green or reddish green, becoming brown. 

Leaves are 6-16 inches long, the axis reddish 

when young but turning bro\vnisll green, slender 

but enlarged at base and with 2 basal narrow 

pointed reen scales (stipules) , n~hich shed early. 

Leaflets T lave stout green stalks 1,-3/ls inch long 

and thin or only sliglltly thickened blades 2 6 

inches long and 1%-2% tnches wide, ror~ndecl at 

base, not toothed on edjps, shiny green above, and 

beneath a little lighter and shiny or dull. 

Flower clusters (panicles or racemes) are most1 

21h-6 inches long, lateral at base of leaves, wit 1 

many loosely arranged short-stalked fragrant 

flowers, the branches finely hairy. 'Phe bellshaped 

calyx % inch long has 5 unequal shortpointed 

teeth; 5 yellow petals about % inch long 

with narrow stalklike bases, the broad rounded 

standard reddish tipged or dark red near base, or 

reported sometimes to be violet tinged, nlso 2 

wings, and 2 keel petals; 10 stamens about 9& 

inch long, united into a tube about half thew 

length; and pistil more than si/l(l inch long, 

composed of long stalk, flattened 1-celled ovary, 

and short slender style. 

The pod, green when immature, turning to dark 

brown, is short-stalked with calyx at base, 1%-2 

inches in diameter, oblique or asymmetrical, with 

Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq. 

few prominent veins, with wing around edge 

broad on 1 side, not splitting open, 1-seeded. Recorded 

in flower from February to September and 

in fruit from April to November. 

The sapwood is whitish to light yellow. The 

n700cl is lightweight (specific gravlty 0.3), very 

soft, and weak. It stains easily in drying, is subject 

to decay, and susceptible to attack by drywood 

termites. 

1Jlle n-ood has been used in Puerto Rico for floats 

for fishnets. At one time pieces of the thin buttresses 

served as pans in w as h' in7 or pannina for 

gold. The resin or gum, whic soon soli ifies 

from the latex, formerly was exported in large 

quantities from Colombia to Spain for medicinal 

use under the name sangre de dra o 'as a hemostatic 

and also as :cn astringent. 8 he trees have 

been planted for shade and o~llament in southern 

Florida and Cuba and might be suitable for the 

same purposes in Puerto Rico. 

Grows in swamp forests, chiefly on hlle land- 

\\.arc1 side of nlangrove but nlso tn swamps and 

along streambanks in the lower Luquillo forest 

region up to about 1,500 feet elevation. Common 

in swampy areas on the southeast coast near 

Hmnncao. 

Sari Juan. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-LU~U~~~O, 

MUNICIPALITY WHERE ESPECIALIaY ~0~1310N.43. 

R~~cE.--Jarnaica, His aniola, Puerto Rico, 

Guadeloupe, Dominica, &rtinque, St. Lucia, St. 

Vincent, and Trinidad. Also in continental tropical 

America from southeastern Mexico (Yucat&n) 

and British Honduras to Colombia, Ecuador, 

Venezuela, Guianas, and Bmzil. Introduced in 

Cuba and southern Florida. 

OTHER 

COJ~ON NAJTES.-S~L~~~~ 

de drago (Puer- 

to Rico, Spmish) ; drago (Dominican Republic, 

commerce) ; sangregado (Guatemala, Nicaragua, 

Costa Rica) ; sangre, cowee (Honduras) ; chajada 

nrnarilla, sangrillo (Costa Rica) ; bloodwood 

(Panama) ; sabroso (Colombia) ; sangrito, cac6, 

Iagunero, mucutena (Venezaela) ; bambulo (Ecuador) 

; swamp bloodwood (Trinidad) ; kaway, 

swatnp kaway (British Honduras) ; bloodmood, 

corkwood (British Guiana) ; bois pale (Haiti) ; 

mangle mhdaille, p?l6tuvier, sang dragon (Guadeloupe) 

; nloutouchi de savane (French Guiana) ; 

beb6, beb6 hoedoe, aatrabebi?, waata gwe-gwe 

(Surinam) ; mututy (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL SYNONY~~.-Pterocarpua draco L. 

(in part).

90. Palo de pollo, swamp bloodwood Pterocarpua ofl&n&Zis Jacq. 

Two-thirds natural size, 

207

91. Bgculo, agati 



Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Per&* 

An introduced ornamental, spreading from cultivation, 

this tree is distinguished by: (1) alternate, 

even pinnate leaves \!-it11 10-30 pairs of oblong 

leaflets %-11/2 inches long and x-1, inch 

wide, rounded at both ends, and very shortstalked; 

(2) giant white or bright red, flattened, 

pea-shaped flowers 2?/23 inches long, 2-5 hanging 

in a stalked cluster at bnse of n leaf; and (3) light 

brown pods 12-18 inches long and only 3/16 inch 

wide, flattened but slightly 4-angled, long-pointed 

at both ends, and stalked at base. 

Rapidly growing, short-lived, deciduo~is small 

tree attaining 16-25 feet in height and 6-12 inches 

in triink diameter, wit11 thin cron-11 of fenr 

branches. The gray bark is 1/2 inch or more in 

thickness, rough, and furrowed into thick plates. Planted as an ornamental in gardens and escap- 

Inner bark is pink and slightly bitter. The young ing from ~ult~ivation in roadsides and thickets and 

twigs are finely hairy. 

perhaps naturalized locally in Puerto Rico, 

T~aves are 6-14 inches long, wit11 finely hairy Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

axes enlarged at base. The leaflets have very short Ra~~~.-Native from India to East Indies, 

hairy stalks less than 1/1? inch long and thin blades Philippines, and northern Australia. Widely 

with apex round or m~nutely notched \\.it11 very though sparingly distributed by cultivation and 

tiny point, wit11 base rounded but slightly unequaloccasionally 

spontaneous or naturalized in southern 

Florida, througll most of the West Indies from 

sided, pale green, and nearly hairless except when Bahamas and Cuba to St. Vincent and Trinidad, 

young. 

and from sonthern Mexico through most countries 

Flower clusters (racemes) shorter than the of Central America to South America. 

leaves have 2-5 flowers wit11 unpleasant odor, com- OTTIER CoimroN ~~nfm.-gallito, cresta de pllo, 

monly white but red in one variety, which is illus- agati (Puerto Rico) ; jack-in-the-beanstalk (Virtrated. 

The bud is some\~hat, curved. The large gin Islands) ; gallito (Dominican Republic) ; 

bell-shaped ~hitish calyx is nearly 1 inch long, cresta de gallo, gallito blanw, gallito colorado, 

slightly 2-lobed \vi th 5 shallo~v teeth ; the corolltl zapat6n blanco, zapatdn rojo, paloma (Cuba) ; 

of 6 white or red fleshy pet,als 21/24 inches long, pico de flamenco (Mexico) ; choncho (El Salvastalked 

at bnse, the oblong spreacling standard dor) ; cobreque (Nicaragua) ; gallito (Venezueshorter 

than the others and curved back, 2 curved la) ; agati, agati sesbania, Australian corknwodwings, 

and 2 united curved keel petals; 10 curved 

tree (United States) ; agati,. flarnin o-bill (Bahamas) 

; pois vallier (Haiti) ; coli % ri vhetal, 

stamens, 9 united into a tube and 1 separate; and papillon, fleur-papillon (Guadeloupe) ; tlgerpistil 

of stalked very narrow ovary and slender tonguo (Dutch West Indies). 

style. The pods hang down and split open to re- BOTANICAI, s~~o~~~.-Agati grandiflora (L.) 

lease many elliptic brown seeds 3/16 inch long. Desv. 

Flowering and fruiting throughout the year. This genus is represented also by 3 native 

The wood is whitish, soft, and lightweight. It species of shrubs. The generic name formerly was 

is weak and seldom used. 

spelled also Sesban. 

111 Inclia and elsewhere in southern Asia uses 

have been found for other parts of the tree. The 

flowers, tender green pods, and young leaves are 

eaten, sucll as in salads, curries, soups, and fried. 

Leaves and young slloots are fed to cattle also. 

The bark yields 21 fiber, and gum with red and 

yellow coloring principles has been obtained from 

tho pinkish white sap exuding from the cut trunk. 

Extracts of leaves and flowers and of the bark 

have been employed medicinally. 

The name bBculo (walking-stick perhaps was 

suggested by the odd, very long an d narrow pods. 

Ot.ller names, gallito and cresta de gallo (cocks- 

comb), are descriptive of the shape and color of 

the flowers in the red-flowered variation. Flower- 

ing when sinall and only 2 years old.


Heaaania grcndiflora (L.) Pers. 

209

COCA FAMILY .(ERYTHROXYLACEAE) 

92. Indio Erythroxylon areolaturn L. 

A small tree or shrub of dry areas characterized 

by: (1) short-stalked elliptic leaves 1%-3 inches 

long and 3/4-1% inches broad, minutely notched 

at rot~ndecl apex and ~rith 2 faint lines nearly parallel 

n-it11 midrib and more prominent on lower 

surface; (2) small whitish flowers 3/16 inch across, 

several together in lateral clusters mostly before 

the leaves or at base of new leaves; and (3) fleshy 

red oblong fruits 3i63/8 inch long, 1-seeded. 

A deciduous tree or sllrub 8-20 feet high and 

2-6 inches in trunk diameter. The pay bark is 

fissured and scaly, inner bark red and slightly bitter. 

Twigs y, the short lateral twigs often 

nit11 old sca es where leaves and floivers were 

borne. 

P 

The leaves are alternate but sometimes close 

together on short lateral twigs. Petioles are S/le- 

inch long and slender, nrith n pointed scale 

(stipule) v8 inch long inside base. Blades are 

broadly short-pointed at. base, not toothed on 

edges, with 2 faint lines nearly parallel ~vith mid- 

rib but converging with it at both ends, thin, drill 

dark green above, and pale whitish green beneath. 

Seveml fragrant flowers develop from a lateral 

bud on twig, each on a slender stalk I,-% inch 

long. There is a'B-to$l~ed green calyx less than 

1/1, inch long; 5 white rounded spreading petals 

1/8 inch long, each with a minute 2-lobed scale on 

inner side; 10 stamens S6-L/g inch long, united in- 

to a tube in lower part; and pistil about y8 inch 

long mith 3-celled green ovary and 3 stxles. Some 

flowers have long stamens and short styles, while 

others have short stamens and long styles. Col- 

lected in flower in different months fro .October 

to June. The fruits (drupes) are ,qreen%en im- 

mature but turn red and have thin flesli and 1 large 

seed. 

The sapwood is light brown and hard. Heartwood 

is rich recldisll brown (the generic name 

means red wood) or chocolate bron-n, with oily 

appearance, vely fine-grained, and very hard. The 

wood is heavy, strong, and highly durable but 

available only in small sizes. 

It is re orted that the leaves contain a small 

amount o F cocaine. This drug is obtained from 

the leaves of coca (Erythroxylon coca Lam.),. a 

related species of the Andes of Peru and Bolivia. 

Characteristic of thickets and forests on hills 

from Ponce to Cabo Rojo, the dry coastal and dry 

limestone regions of Pr~erto Rico. Also in Mona 

and doubtfully recorded from St. Thomas. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-GU~L~~~~~C~, Guiinica. 

RANGE.-TV~S~ Indies in Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, 

Hispaniola, Pnerto Rico, and Mona. Also 

in southern Mexico (Tabasco to Yucntiin), Guatemala, 

El Salvador, British Hondnras, and Honduras. 

Reported from northern South America, 

probably in error. 

OTHER COMJION NABIES.-~~~O de hierro, cocaina 

falsa, muerto, hierro negro (Puerto Rico) ; 

piragua, fruta de paloma, arabo (Dominican Republm) 

; arabo carbonero, arabo jiba, arabo real 

(Cuba) ; limoncillo (Guatemala) ; thin-leaf erytthroxylon 

(Raliamas) ; redwood (Jamaica) ; redwood, 

ridge redwood, swamp redwood (British 

Honduras) ; poirier, arabo (Haiti). 

nus is represented b 3 additional 

species This o pe sl~rubs or small trees, anJanother species 

is a low shrub. ,Jibs (B~ythroxylon brevipes DC.) 

has nearly stalkless obovate leaves less than 1 inch 

long. RatGn (P. rotundifoliwm Lunan) has similar 

leaves mith petioles Y8-lh inch long. E. rufum 

Cav. has oblong leaves 91/24 inches long, slightly 

thickened, with prominent network of veins.

Natural size. 

E~throz~Zon arcolatunz L. 

21 1

CALTROP FAMILY (ZYGOPHYLLACEAE) 

Key to the 2 native species, both illustrated (Nos. 93-94) 

A. Leaflets mostly 4, sometimes 6; fruits niostly flattened, heart-shaped at apex-93. 

Ah. Leaflets mostly 6-10; fruits deeply 5- or &angled or winged, pointed at apex-. 

ffiiaiacum oflcinale. 

ffuaiacrrnt aanctum. 

93. GuayacPn, common lignumvitae Guaiacum officinale L, 

A handsome small evergreen tree with a dense 

rounded crown and dark green foliage, easily recognized 

by : (1) light brown bark smoothis11 and 

mottled, peeling off in thin scales; (2) opposite 

even pinnate leaves with mostly 4 or 6 stalkless, 

oblique, broadly elliptic or obovate leathery leaflets; 

(3) several to many deep to pale blue flowers 

with 5 petals minutely hairy on the outer surface, 

spreading starlike %-7/8 inch across in showy terminal 

and lateral clusters shorter than the leaves; 

and (4) flattened orange:brown capsules 3/q inch 

long and broad, heart-shaped and slightly winged, 

attached at narrowed end. 

A tree 15-30 feet high, with a short trunk 4-18 

inches in diameter. The bark scales are 1-2 inches 

across and upon falling expose smoothish graybrown 

spots beneath. Inner bark is light brown 

and bitter. The green twigs, turning to gmy, have 

enlarged ringed nodes and are much brnnched and 

widely forking. 

Leaves are 11/24 inches long, with green axis 

and at base paired minute hairy scales (stipules) 

which shed early. I~aflets are %-2 inches long 

and inches wide, rounded or sometimes 

blunt-pointed at both base and apex, broadest on 

the side ton-ard base of leaf, slightly thickened and 

often turned under at edges, Ilairless, and dark 

green or olive green on both sides, slightly shiny 

above. The lowest pair of leaflets is at the base of 

axis beside the twig, while the pair of leaflets at 

apex is largest. 

Many prett faintly fragrant flowers me 

clustered toget r' ~er (umbellike) on slender minutely 

hairy stalks 3/8-1 inch long. There are 5 broad 

rounded finely hairy sepals near1 1/4 inch long; 

5 spreading deep to pale blue peta i" s nearly % inch 

durable and very resistant to decay. It is very 

resistant to attack by dry-wood termites, but the 

sapwood is susceptible. 

The self-lubricating resinous wood is so valuable 

that it is sold by weight, though not now of commercial 

importance in Puerto Rico. It is famed 

for its specinl use in bearings and bushing blocks 

for propeller shafts of steamshi s. It serves also 

for pulley sheaves, deadeyes, an cf' as a replacement 

for metal bearings in roller mills. Other uses inc111de 

bandsam guides, awning rollers, furniture 

casters, mallets, bowling balls, and turned novelties. 

Under the name lipurnvitae (Latin for wood 

of life), the extract of this wood formerly was 

offici,z! in medicine as a stimulant and to increase 

perspiration. Earlier it was thought to be a cure 

for various diseases, having been introduced in 

Europe about 1508. Also employed medicinally 

was guaiac resin, which exudes from bark and sapwood, 

reddish brown in color but changing to blue 

or blue green. 

The trees occasionally are planted as orna- 

~nentnls for the masses of blue flowers, which are 

rare in the tro ics, and for the handsome dark 

green foliage. &owever, their growth is slow, so 

slow that forest plnntings in Puerto Rim by the 

Forest Service have been discontinued in favor of 

other species. Bees visit the flowers. 

Forests, thickets, and pastures in the dry coastal 

and dry limestone regions of Puerto Rico from 

GII~ ama to Cabo Rojo. Also in Culebra, Vieques, 

St. Zroiroix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Re orted to 

be nearly exterminated on Virgin Islan B s except 

in cultivation. 

PUBLIC mn~s~.--G~nica. 

long, narrowed at base and rounded at apex, mi- MUNIICIPALJTIE-S 

WHEILE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

nutely haiiy on outer surface; 10 stamens about 12,66. 

9i6 inch long, with blue filaments and yellow RANGE-JVest Indies from Bahamas and Greatrultbers; 

and stalked pistil j/4 inch long, with flat- er Antilles to Bfartinque in Lesser Antilles and in 

tened usually 2-celled ovary and pointed style. Bonnire? Cura~ao, and Aruba. Also in Panama, 

The flattened capsules minutely pointed at the Colombia, Venezuela, and British Guiana. Plant- 

I~eart-shaped apex are green when immature, turned in southern Florida, Bermuda, Trinidad and 

ing orange brown. They split open to discharge Tobago, Surinam, and elsewhere in tropical 

2 or 1 seed 1/2 inch long, brown with a red fleshy America. 

covering (aril) . Flowering and fruiting from OTI ir:~ COBI ;\ION NAMES.-payaco (Puerto 

earl spring to fall. Rim) ; lignumvitae (Virgin Islands) ; 8yacitn 

~ inarrow e sa wood is pale yellow. Henrtlrood (Spanish) ; palo snnto (Cuba, ~enezuelar yayais 

dark greenish 6 rown or nearly black. Lignum- cln neFo (Cuba) ; payacbn de playa, guay~bn 

vitae is one of the heaviest commercial woods (spe- colombitmo, guayaco (Colombia) ; lignumvitne, 

cific c,~:ivity about 1.2-1.3). It is extremely hard, common lignumvitae (United States, English, 

of wry fine uniform texture, with highly inter- commerce) ; gai'ac (French, commerce) ; gaiac 

locked grain, growth rings clearly defined, and franc, gai'c m&le (Haiti) ; bois saint (Martinique) ; 

characteristic oily feel caused by the unique resin wayad, pokhout (Dutch West Indies) ; guainco, 

content. The mood is difficult to season and work pau santo (Brazil). 

but takes a fine polish. The heartwood is very The generic name is also spelled Guajacum. 

212

93. CuayacBn, common lignumvftae 


CALTROP FAMILY (ZYGOPHYLLACEAE) 

94. Guayacdn blanco, holywood lignumvitae Guaiacum sanctum L. 

A small tree of dry areas characterized by: 

(1) bark deeply fissured vertically; (2) opposite, 

even pinnate leaves with mostly 6-10 stalkless, 

oblique, elliptic or obovate leaflets ending in a minute 

point, with several veins from base; (3) blue 

flowers y8 inch across bhe 5 spreading hairless 

petals, usually a few in terminal clusters shorter 

than the leaves; and (4) yellowish or orange capsule 

% incll 10119, deeply 5- or Pangled or winged. 

A11 evergreen tree 15-30 feet high with short 

stout trunlr 8 inches or more in diameter, and dense 

round crown of spreading or drooping bmnches. 

The light gnly bark is rough. Inner bark is light 

brown and slightly bitter. Sapwood is light yellow 

and very hard. The light gray twigs are enlarged 

at nodes, sliglltly angled, and green and 

minutely llai~y \vhen young. 

The leaves 21,-3% inches long have paired minute 

hairy scales (stipules) at base and a green 

minutely hairy axis. Leaflets am 5/8-1 inch long, 

Y8-3/4 inch wlde, short-pointed at base, rounded 

and minutely pointed at apex, not tnothed on 

edges, broadest above middle and on the side toward 

base of lenf, slightly thickened and leathery, 

hairless, and green on both sides. During the hottest 

part of the day the paired leaflets often fold 

together. 

Flowers are borne on slender minutely hairy 

stalks 3/q-1 inch long attached between the uppermost 

air of leaves. There are 5 blunt-pointed 

slight I' y hairy sepals 4/4 inch long; 5 blue petals 

5/1& inch long, narronred at base and in part 

2-lobed at apex; 10 stamens nearly yL inch long; 

and stalked pistil 1/4 inch long, the ovary with 5 

or 4 angles and cells and ending in pointed style. 

Seed capsules are 5/8 inch long and inch across 

the angles, broadest near the short-pointed apex, 

containing dark brown or black seeds about s/8 

inch long, each with a scarlet fleshy covering 

(aril) . Flowering and fruiting from spring to 

f all. 

Sapwood is light yeIlow and very hard, and 

heartwood becoming gmnish or brown on exposure. 

The wood has clearly defined grolvth rings, 

is resinous wit11 a chamteristic odor, very hard, 

very heavy (specific gravity about 1.1), and very 

durable. It resembles the mood of common lignumvitae 

(Guaimum oficinale L.) and has similar 

uses but is less valuable. Like its relative this 

species of lignumvitae formerly mas official in medicine 

for similar purposes. 

Sometiilles planted ns a handsome blue-flowered 

ornamental in Puerto Rico, southern Florida, and 

elsewhere. 

In thickets and forests in the dry coastal and dry 

limestone regions of Puerto Rico from Ponce to 

Cabo Rojo. Also in Mona. 

Poet~c mms~.-Gu&nica. 

R~Na~.-Florida Keys, Bahamas Cuba, Hispaniola, 

Puerto Rico, and &Ion%. A ~ in O Mexico 

(Yucatlin) , Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicars 

pa. Recorded from Donaire, Curqao, and 

An~ba, p~rhaps in cultivation. Planted in southern 

Florida Trinidad, and elsewhere in tropical 

America. he botanical type specimen came 

from Puerto Rico.) 

OTHER COBIMON KAMES.- ayacrin de Vera, 

y ayacancillo (Puerto ~icor Ten, payampcillo 

(Dominican Republic, Cuba) ; yayacan 

Manco (Cuba) ; guaymlin Mexico, Guatemala, 

Nicaraglla) ; palo santo (I fexico) ; holymood 

lignumvitae, roughbark lignumvitae, lipumvitne 

(United States) ; lignumvitae (English, commerce) 

; bois saint, gaiac blanc ga'iac femelle 

(Haiti) ; wayaka shlmarbn, beera,boeloebarie, wajakaa 

mmtsjoe (Dutch \\Test Indies). 

BOTANICAL ~PNONYN.-GU~~CU?U~ guatemakn~e 

Planch.

v- - -- 

94. Ouayadn blanco, holpmood lignumvitae 

Natural dze.

RUE FAMILY (RUTACEAE) 

Key to the 9 species illustrated (Nos. 95403) 

A. Leaves opposite, with usually 3 (sometimes 1 or 5) long-pointed leaflets-95. Antyris elemifera. 

Ah. Leaves alternate. 

B. Leaves simple. 

C. Leaves elliptic, with mnny minute rounded teeth on margin, petiole usually jolnted with blade; flowers 

large, white; fruit a rounded or elliptic juicy berry (citrus). 

D. Leaves small, 1%-3 inches long; fruit elliptic 1%-2% inches long (lime)-%. Citma aurantijolia.* 

DD. Leaves and fruit larger. 

E. Petiole broadly winged. 

F. Leaves mostly long-pointed at apex; fruit round, roughened, orange, bitter, inedible (sour 

orange)-97. Citrus aurantiirnt.* 

FF. Leaves rounded at both ends (or blunt-pointed at apes) ; fruit round, smooth, large, pale 

yellow grapefruit-00. Citrue paradiai* 

Em. Petiole almost wingless or narrowly winged. 

G. Petiole almost wingless; fruit elliptic, blunt-pointed or tubemled at both ends, the surface 

often rough and wrinkled, yellow (lemon)-98. Citrus litno~r.* 

GG. Petiole narrowly winged ; fruit round, smooth, orange (meet orange)-100. Citrus sinemis.* 

CC. Leaves with margin not toothed, S~metimes sliglltly wavy, petiole not jolnted with blade; flowers and 

fruit very small-103. Zanthozylirm n&onophyllum. 

BB. Leaves pinnate. 

H. Leaflets 6-9, elliptic, margin witbout teeth or very finely wavy; not spiny-101. Zanthoxyhtn fiavrrnl. 

HH. Leaflets 7-19, oblong to lanceshaped, nlargin very finely wavy ; spiny-102. ZantAox#knr martiniceme. 

95. Tea, sea amyris Amyris elemifera L. 

A small tree or shrub characterized by: (1) 

dense rounded crown 02 compact pale green foliage; 

(2) opposite compound leaves with usually 3 

(sometimes 1 or 5) ovate or lance-shaped, longpointed 

leaflets 1-2% inches lon and s-11/2 

lnclles broad, slightly leathery, slig ltly shiny yel- 

low een, and with many gland dots; (3) many 

smalrgreenish-white, *-parted, spreading flowers 

about 3/16 inch across; (4) mnny small round black 

fruits about inch in diameter; and (5) twigs, 

leaves, and fruits with slight citrus odor when 

crushed. 

An evergreen tree commonly 10-20 feet high and 

3-6 inches in trunk diameter. The bark is smoothish 

and gray, becoming rough with deep furro~vs 

and rectangular plates. Inner bark light brown, 

with slight citrus spicy taste. The twigs are yellow 

peen when young, becoming gray. 

The leaves are 24 inches long. The leaflets, on 

slender stalks 1/8-% inch long, are short-pointed 

or rounded at base, the edges without teeth or 

minutely wavy. 

Flower clusters ( anicles) are terminal and lat- 

eral, much branche c! ,I$$-2 lnches long and broad. 

The short-stalked flowers have a minute 4-lobed 

calyx; 4 gland-dotted spreading petals; 8 stamens; 

and pistil of 1-celled ovary and broad 

stigma. The fruits (drupes) are cove-red with a 

bloom, gland-dotted, with thin flesh and 1 brown 

seed. Flowering and fruiting irregularly during 

the year, recorded in flower from March to 

October. 

The sapwood is whitish, and the heartwood light 

yellow. The wood is very resinous with strong 

odor, very hard, fine-grained, heavy (spe~ific~gravity 

1.0-1.1), and strong. It takes a good polish, is 

very durable, and definitely repellent to dry-mood 

termites. 

F 

Used chiefly for posts in Puerto Rico. Forinerlv 

also emnloved for furniture and fuel. If 

avsifable in qt'ia6ities and larger size, the w x 

might be valuable. As common names in different 

fanpages mdicate, torches are made from the 

resinous wood. The tree yields a fragrant resin. 

Widelv distributed in thickets of the drv limestone 

arid dry coastal regions of ~uerto Rico. 

Also in Mona, Desecheo, Icncos, Culebm, Vieques, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Anegada. 

On Mona the species is becoming less common 

owing to extensive browsing of its bark b goats. 

Pon1.1~ FOR~~TS.-Guajataca, Gusnica, Juda 

MUNICIPALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

26,28, 55, 75. 

RANQE.-Central and southern Florida includ- 

ing Florida Keys Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, His- 

paniola, Puerto kico and Virgin Islands, and 

Lesser Antilles from St. Martin to St. Vincent, 

Grenadines, and Grenada. Also Central America 

in Guatemala, British Honduras Honduras, and 

El Salvador. Reported from lr&ezuela, appar- 

ently in error. 

OTIIER COMMON NAXLIES.--C 11 a b i 1 1 t~, (Puerto 

Rico) ; candlewood, torchrvood (Virgin Islands) ; 

guaconejo, palo de tea (Dominican Republic) ; 

cuabilla, cuaba de costa (Cuba) ; chilillo, pimienta, 

tnray (Honduras) ; roldsn, meMn (El Salavdor) ; 

sea nmyris, torchwood, candlewood (United 

States) ; white torch (Bahamas) ; amyris-wood, 

torchmood (Jamaica) ; waiki-pine (Bntish Hon- 

duras) ; bois chandelle (French) ; bois chandelle 

blanc, bois pini, bois flambeau (Guadeloupe) . 

The S anlsh name tea means torch. Thls is not 

the shru k' called tea in English. 

Teilla (Amy& bakamifera L.), a related spe- 

cies of south\vestm Puerto Rico. has 3-7 leaflets 

and larger elliptic fruits 1/4-1/2 inch long.

05. Tea, sea amyris 

Natural size. 

Amyrfs elemifera L. 

2 17

96. Limdn agrio, lime 

RUE FAMILY 

(RUTACE AE) 

Citrus aurantifolia (L.) Swingle* 

Several species of citrus (genus Citrus) native citrus, and maturin~ fruit in summer and fall. 

in southern Asia are cultivated for their well- The hard wood 1~1th whitish sapwood is little 

know11 edible fruits. Chamcteristics for identifi- used locally. When pruned back, the plants make 

cation of the group are: (1) aromatic, glandular a good fence. Also a honey plant. 

evergreen shrubs tlnd small trees with d~stinctive The fruit is picked and shipped green. It is 

spicy odor and taste of cruslled parts; (2) pen utilized estensively in refreshing drinks and for 

t\\-igs mostly with sharp brown-tipped green seasoning foods. The Test Indian islands of 

spines ?I8-l inch long, single :it base of leaves; Montserrat and Dominica produce quantities of 

(3) alternate leathery leaves, green to dark green lime fruits and lime juice for export. The fruit is 

and mostly elliptic, with many minute rounded the main source of citric acid for the dyeing industeeth 

on margin and numerous tiny gland dots vis- tly and medicinal use, and lime oil is extracted 

ible against, the light; (4) petiole jointed with from the rind. Tlle bottled juice, which is rich in 

blade (except in 1 species) and usually winged; vitamin C, has been carried on ships as n means 

(5) fragrant \\-liite (sometimes purplisl~-tinged) of preventing scurvy. A tea or tonic has been 

flowers with &ti spreading, slightly fleshy, gland- pre ared from the leaves. 

dotted petals %-2 inches across; md (6) rounded &lltirated and escaping or naturalized, chiefly 

or elliptic yellow or ornnge fruits (berry or hes- at low elevations, in Puerto Rico and hfonn, St. 

peridium), green \\-lien immature, composed of an Croix, St*. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

aroillatic peeling, 8-15 cells with man pointed RANGE.-Native of East Indian Archipelago but 

juicy sacs, and serernl to many whitis r 1 seeds. introduced into the New World more than 400 

Lime is distinguished from the other kinds of 

Widely caltivated and naturalized in 

citrus fruits by: (1) the small elliptic fruit 1%- ~~$c,"~~icl subtm ical regions, including south- 

2% inclles long and 1-2 inches in diameter, pointed ern Florida and F I' orida Keys, West Indies, and 

or rounded at apes, smooth, green but turning to from RIesico to South America. 

greenish yellow, \rlth thin peeling l/lu inch thick, OTHER COMJIOS ~rl~r~s.-IT~est Indian lime 

and with very sour green flesh; (2) small white (Virgin Islands) ; lima (Spanish) ; lima boba 

flowers only 1/2-1 inch across the 4 or 5 petals; mid (Dominican Republic) ; liin6n criollo, lima agria 

(3) small dull gl:een, elliptic leaves commonly (Cuba) ; lima chicn (Mexico) ; lim6n (Central 

rounded or blnnt-pointed at apex and with nar- America) ; limn agria (Venezuela) ; limGn sutil 

rowly winged petioles. 

Ecuador) ; lim6n a rio (Peru) ; lime, West In- 

An evergreen aromatic and glandular shrub or 6inn lime (~nglish? ; lime-leaf-plant (Grenasmall 

tree to 20 feet high, with irregular bmnches. dines) ; citron (Haiti) ; citron commun (Guade- 

The brown bark is smoothish, inner bark pale yel- loupe) ; lamunchi, lemoen (Dutch West Indies). 

low and bitter. The green to dark green twigs, BOTANICAL s~~o~nr.-Citrw lirna Lunan. 

an lecl \\-hen youn have short sharp spines, us- Sweet lime or liincin dulce (citron cloux in 

ua f ly l/g-5/g lncll 7' ong, green and tipped 11-it11 French) apparently is a variation or hybrid of 

brown, solitary at base of the alternate leaves. limo or lin16n agrio nncl not botanically distinct, 

The green petioles 3/8-% inch long are jointed tho~lgll it has been recognized by some authors as 

with blade. The small thick and leathery blade is a species (Cjtm.9 Zimetta Risso) . It has a rounded 

1%-3 inches long and inches wide, some- greenish-yellow fruit 295 inches in diameter, with 

times to 4 inches long and 2% inches broad, round- whitish or g~eenish-tinged flesh which is slightly 

ed at base, the edges with many minute rounded sweet or insipid. Sometimes planted as a fruit 

teeth, and with numerous tiny gl:lnd dots visible tisee in Piierto Rico and elsewhere in tropical 

against the li ht. Upper surface is dull green, America, though not. ranking highly among tho 

and lower sur P ace is dull light green. 

citrus fruits because of the weak flavor. 

Flowers, only slightly fragrant, are produced Besides the 5 citrus species described and illusin 

clusters of 2-7 on short stalks at base of a leaf. tmtecl here, n few others are less frequently culti- 

The white saucer-shaped calyx is about inch vated. 3ftlildarin orange, tangerine, or mandarins 

across and less than l/s inch higl1, with 4 or 5 (Cit~us l*etictclatn Blanco ;* synonym C. nobilis 

teeth; 4 or 5 white oblong gland-dotted petals nuth., not Lour.) has ornnge rounded fruits 2-3 

about inch lon ; 20-25 whlte stamens vk inch inches in diameter, broader than long, with loose 

long, separate at %am, with yello~v anthers; and peel and easily separable segments. 

pist11 y8 inch long on a \vhitish disk, consisting Pumtnelo, shaddoclc, or pomelo (Citrus grandis 

of green rounded ovary wit11 9-12 cells, stout (L.) Osbeck') has large ;vellom fruits round or 

whitish style, and yellowish rounded stigma. slightly pear-shaped, 5-6 ~nchcs in diameter. 

The fruit (berry or hes eridium) has a few Citron or cidra (Cifnla ~nedica L.*), usunlly 

whitish elliptic pointed see& about W inch long shrubby, has large yellow fruits oblong or elliptic, 

with brownish-red caps at end. Flowering in 5-8 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter, 

spring to July, later than the other species of with very thick peel and small pulp.

06. Limbn ado, lime 

/!/ 

Natural slze. 

Citrue auranttjotfa: (L.) Saingle 

219


97. Naranja agria, sour orange Citrus aurantium L.* 

Sour orange differs from the other citrus fruits 

in: (1) the round orange or reddish-orange fruit 

21/2-41/2 inches in diameter, often broader than 

long, more or less roughened, with thick peeling, 

and hollo~~ pulpy core, ~vhich is bitter and too sour 

to be edible; (2) strongly fragmnt large white 

flowers with usually 5 petals; and (3) leaves ovate, 

more or less long-pointed at apex and tapering or 

rounded at base, the petioles wit11 broad wings 

3/g-5/g inch across. 

A small aromatic evergreen tree 15-30 feet high, 

with rounded crown. The bark is brown and 

smoothish, the inner bark light brown and bitter. 

Twigs green, angled when young, with sliarp 

spines becoming 1 inch long. 

Leaves are alternate on petioles 3/q-11, inches 

long. Blades are jointed with petiole, &ate, 21,- 

514 inches long and 11/24 inches wide, ~vith many 

mlnute rounded teeth at edges, n little leathery, 

with numerous tiny gland dots, above green and 

slightly shiny, and beneath pale light green. The 

leaves have a pleasant scent. 

There are 1 to few fragrant large white flowers 

at base of n leaf. Calyx is light green and 4-5- 

toothed ; usually 5 narrowly oblong white gland- 

dotted petals about 3/q inch long; 20-24 stamens 

united into tube in lower half; and pistil on a disk 

with 9-12-celled ovary, style, and rounded stigma. 

The fruit (berry or hesperidium) rind, lh-Y8 

inch thick, is bitter and aromatic, and the flesh has 

bitter lvalls. The whitish seeds are flattened, 

markecl \\-it11 ridged lines, and about 1/2 inch long 

(1,600 to a pound). Flowering throughout the 

year. 

The heartwood is whitish to light yellow, hard 

and fine-pined, with prominent growth rings. 

It is reported that the mood is like that of sweet, 

orange or chinu (Citrus #inensix L.') and perhaps 

is suitable for the same purposes. In Cuba thc 

wood is used to make baseball bats. 

The peeling with pulp of this species is the principal 

source of orange marmalade and is sometimes 

cnndied and, \\.hen fresh, yields an essential oil. 

The juice serves for seasoning foods, such as soups 

and meats, and sometimes as an orangeade drink 

lien sweetened wit11 sugar. A perfume, oil of 

neroli, is produced in southern Europe from the 

petals. In home medicines the juice is an antiseptic 

and hemostatic, and a decoction of the leaves 

induces sweating. The peel and its oil have been 

used medicinally as a source of vitamins. This 

is n honey plant also. 

Being resistant to the root rot disease of citrus 

fruits, t,his species is employed, especially in t.he 

United States, as the stock for budding the other 

species. 

Cult.ivated in Puerto Rico and spontaneous after 

plant,ing and naturalized, chiefly in the Ion-er 

inount.ain and moist limestone forest regions. A 

hybrid or variety of the Seville ornnge, which has 

sweet juice, is grown in Puerto Rico also. St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, and probably - others of the Virgin 

Islands. 

Puu~rc FORESTS.-Carite, Guajataca, Luquillo, 

Rio Abaio. Toro Nem. 

~anai.L~ative 07 southenstern Asia. Widely 

planted and naturalized in tropical and subtropical 

regions. Naturalized in southeastern United 

States (Georgia and Florida), Bermuda, through 

West Inclies, and from Mexico to Argentina. 

OTIIER COB~MON ~~~~s.-narnnja agria, naranja 

ricidn (Spanish) ; naranjn cajera (Venezuela) ; 

nsran jo amargo (Argentina) ; sour orange, Seville 

oixnge (United States, English) ; bitter orange 

(Bermuda, Jamaica); bi rade orange (Jamaica) 

; orange sere (~aitiK orange siire, orange 

amere, orange psse-peau (Guadeloupe) ; his 

cl'oranger, namnga (French Guiana) ; laraha, 

lanlla zier (Dutch West Indies) ; laranja da term, 

laranja nmnrga (nrazil) . 

I~OTANICAL SYNONYJLS.-~~~TU~ VU~~U& Risso, 

0. bigaradia Loisel.

07. Naranja agria, sour omnge 

Natural size.

98. Limdn de cabro, lemon 


Lemon is separated from the other kinds of 

citrus fruits by: (1) the very sour yellow elliptic 

fruit 2g-4 inches long and 11h-3% inches in diameter, 

blunt-pointed or tubercled at both ends, 

and the surface often rougll and wrinkled; (2) 

flowers 1%-2 inches broad with 4 or 5 \vllitisll 

petals purplish tinged on outside; and (3) leaves 

with apex pointed and with almost wingless 

petiole. 

A small aromatic evergreen tree attaining 10-20 

feet in height and 4 inches in trunk diameter or 

larger, the trunk slightly angled, with long irregular 

spreading branches. The bark is brown or 

gray and smooth to finely fissured, the light brolrn 

inner bark slightly bitter. The green twigs usually 

have a short stout spine at base of leaf. 

The alternate leaves have petioles 1/4-1/2 inch 

long, jointed with blade. Blades are oblong to 

elliptic, 21/2-4h inches long and lj/4-2% inches 

wide, short- to long-pointed at apex and rounded. 

at base, with many minute rounded teeth at edges, 

thick and leathery, and wit11 numerous gland dots. 

The upper surface is green or dark green and 

slightly shiny, and the lower surface dull light 

green. Young la~ves are ~tddish. 

Flolvers are single, paired, or few at base of a 

leaf, slightly fragrant, some bisexual and some 

male, the buds reddish or purplish tinged. There 

is a cuplike 4-5-toothed light green and purplish 

calyx about 1/4 incll high and broad ; 4 or 5 slightly 

fleshy, gland-dotted petals inch long, and 

curved back on the outer side; 20-40 stamens 5/8 

inch long with fleshy white filaments slightly 

united at base and wit11 yellow clnthers; and.pist11 

on b,ml disk with 7-ll-celled ovary taper~ng to 

the stout skyle. 

The fru~t (berry or hesperidium) has a thick 

peeling %-s/g inch thick and very sour, pale yellow-ish 

flesh. The elliptic whit~sh seeds about 

3/8 inch long are pointed at 1 end. Flo\.r.ering 

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.* 

in spring and with fruit in summer and fall. 

Tlie mood is light brown a~ld hard. 

The juice is made into lemonade drinks, sweetened 

with sugar and serves to senson foods. The 

fruit is more genernlly consumed in the United 

States than in Latin America. In home medicines 

the juice is antiseptic and arrests bleeding, a decoct~on 

produces sweating,. and the root has been 

employed also. The lime juice of the old sailing 

vessels, a preventative of scurvy, came partly from 

this species. l~mon oil, from the fruit peel, is official 

In the U~lited States Pharmacopoeia as a 

flnvoring agent. A honey plant. 

Formerly planted as a fruit tree and naturalized 

in Puerto Rico, chiefly in the lower mountain and 

moist limestone forest regions. Also in the Virgin 


PUBLIC ~o~~s~s.-C!arite, Luquillo, Maricao, 

Rio hbajo, Toso Negro. 

Rdi~c~.-Perhnps from southeastern hia, the 

origin uncertain and perhaps relatively recent, 

possibly hybrid. Now widely cultivated and naturalized 

in tropical and subtropical regions. Bermltda, 

West Indies and from southern Florida 

nncl soutllern ~alijornia and Mexico to South 

America. It is reported that this species was first 

intaroducecl into the New World at EIispaniola by 

Columbus in 1493. 

OTIIER COBfBfON NAJKES.-~~~~~ (Spanish) ; 

li1n6n agrio (Dominican Republic, Mexico) ; lim6n 

frands, cidm (Cuba ; limonem (Mexico, Colombia) 

; li~niin real ( d entral America, Ecuador) ; 

lim6n comGn (Nicaragua) ; lim6n criollo, lim6n 

frnnc6s (Venezuela) ; lemon (United States, English) 

; limon (French) ; citronnier, limon france 

(Haiti) ; lamoentsj i, lamunchi dushi (Dutcll West 

Indies). 

BOTANICAL SPXONYB~.-CZ'~~W lintonurn Risso. 

Formerly referred also to Citrus lirnonia Osbeck, 

Canton lemon, which is a different Chinese hybrid.

08. Limbn de eabm, lemon 

Natural slze. 

CCtrus Ztm (L.) Bnrm. f. 

223

99. Toron ja, grapefruit 


Citrus paradisi Macfadyen* 

Grapefruit is recognized among the citrus fruit This is one of the commonest citrus species in 

trees by: (1) the large round fruit, whicl! is pale Puerto Rico, being grown in plantations, chiefly 

yellow at maturity, 3%-5 inches in d~ameter, in the moist coastal region. Formerly it was the 

smooth, with flesh usually light el!ow, sometimes most important fruit grown commerci~lly on the 

ink, the taste sweet and acid an d b~tter combined; island for shipment in fresh form to the United 

fi) fragr ant large white flowers 1-1% inches States. Now the plantations are mostly abanacross 

the 4 petals; and (3) leaves elliptic, rolinded doned because competition destroyed the export 

at both ends (or blunt-pointed at apex) and peti- market,. Scattered trees are to be found in the 

ole usually broadly winged. 

moist limestone and lower mountain regions. Also 

A sm:~ll aromatic evergreen tree becoming 15-20 in the Virgin Islands. 

feet high and G inches in trunk diameter, some- RANGE.-Apparently of relatively recent origin 

times larger, with rounded spreading crown of reg- in cultivation In the West Indies and not found 

ular blanches. The barlr is smobtli gray brown, wild in Asia. Planted extensively in subtropical 

inner bark light ellow and sliglitly bitter. The areas of southern United States in Florida, Texas, 

green twigs usual I y have short slender and flexible Arizona, and California. Also grown through 

spines single at nodes, the leaves also alternate. West Indies, from Blexico to South America, and 

Young twigs and leaves are hairless or nearly so. in the Old World tropics. 

The pet~ole is 1/-1 inch long, the wing 1/4-l/z OTHER COaIBrON ~.\31~s.-toronja (Spanish) ; 

inch w~de. Blade is 3-6 inches long and 1%-3 grapefruit. (Central America) ; greifruta (Colominches 

wide, jointed to petiole, with many mingte bia) ; grapefruit (United States, English) ; charounded 

teeth at edges, slightly leathery, and with 

numerous tiny gland dots, above shiny dark green, 

d&que (Haiti) ; pamplemousse, grapefruit (Guadeand 

beneath dull light green. 

loupe) ; pttpefruit (Dutch West Indies). 

Flowers are sol~tary or 2-6 in a lateral cluster BOTANICAL SYNONYB~.-C~~TU~ (Burm.) 

(raceme). The cup-shaped calyx is irregularly Merr. var. uvicarpn Bferr. & ha. 

5-toothed, about 9/16 inch high and inch or more By some authors the grapefruit is placed as a 

.actcross; there are 4 oblong white fleshy petals % variety of pummelo, shaddock, or pomelo, Citrus 

inch or more in length; 20-25 stamens united into grandis (L.) Osbeck* (0. muxima (Burm.) Merr., 

tube in lower part ; and pistil on a disk with round 0. decumnna (L.) L.). The latter has larger 

11-14-celled ovary. 

thick-skinned fruits 5-43 inches in diameter or 

The fruit (berry or hesperidium) has a whitish slightly pear-shaped, with the juicy particles large 

peeling 3h0-?6 inch thick. Walls of the flesh are and easily separable, large rough yellowish seeds, 

bitter. The numerous whitish elliptic pointed larger leaves with broadly winged heart-shaped 

seeds are about y2 inch long. Flowering in the petioles, tuld very large flowers. 

spring and fruiting in the fall, the mature fruits 

persisting until May. 

It is thought that grapefruit originated in the 

The sapwood is whitish to light yellow, and the 

West Indies as a mutation of pulnmelo or possible 

het~rtwood light yellow to yellowish brown. The hybrid of that species with sweet orange. Aphard, 

fine-grained wood with growth rings clearly parently it mas first described in 1750 as the fordefined 

is used chiefly for fuel. 

bidden fruit of Barbados. In 1814 the English 

Grapefn~it, a breakfast favorite, is marketed in name grapefruit first appeared in a Jamaican 

Puerto Rico either fresh or as canned sections or book, which attributed the derivation to the rejuice. 

The tree is an attractive ornamental and sembl:lnce in flavor to blie grape. The species was 

honey plant as well as fruit tree. 

named botanically from Jamaica in 1830.

00. Toronja, grapefruit 

Natural slze.

100. China, sweet orange 


Sweet orange, or orange, the best known and 

most popular of the citrus fruits, is clistinguislied 

by : (1) the familiar, usually smooth orange rouncl 

fruit, mostly 21/2-31, inches in diameter, with 

sweetish orange-colored flesh; (2) very fragrant 

\f7hite flo~vers wit11 usually 5 petals about 1Ih;llh 

inches across; and (3) leaves oblong to elliptlc or 

ovate, short-pointed or roundecl at both ends, and 

\\-it11 narrotvly winged petiole. 

An evergreen small tree becoming 20-30 feet 

tall and 6-10 inches or more in trl~nk diameter, 

~ritll rounded cron-XI. The bark is brown ancl finely 

fissured, the inner bark yello\\-is11 and slightly bitter. 

Tlle light pen angled twigs usually have 1 

slender sharp spine 4/s inch long at a node. 

The alternate lenves have n green petiole 3/s-3(4 

inch long, jointed to the blade. The leaf blade is 

21h-6 inches long and 1Yk-31/2 inches wide, the 

edges usual1 with many minute rounded teeth, 

slightly leat i lery and \\-it11 numerous tiny gland 

dots, above dark reen to yellow green and slightly 

shiny, and beneat 9 1 dull light green. 

Flon-ers are lateral, 1-6 at base of a leaf. There 

is a greenish-white broad saucer-shaped calyx % 

inch high and 5-toothed; usually 5 \vhite elliptic 

petals $-7/8 inch long, gland-dotted ancl sliglltly 

fleshy, spreading and turned back; 20-25 white 

stamens 1, inch long with brown anthers, united 

into ring at base; and on whitis11 disk a pistil 5/8 

inch long with 10-13-celled yellow-green rounded 

ovitry, slender style, and rounded stigma. 

The familiar sweetish orange fruit (berry) has 

w smooth usually thin peeling less than inch 

thick, orange at maturity (but the fruit is some- 

times consumed while still green), and solid center 

of onnge-colored juicy flesh wllich is sweet or 

sometimes slightly sour. Seeds are white and 

wrinkled. The navel orange is a variety distin- 

fY 

uislled by the fruit apex not completely covered 

the outer rind but with additional small segments 

or cells and usually is seedless. Flowering 

in spring and maturing fruits in the fall, but in 

some wens the fruits may persist on the trees into 

the following May. 

Citrus sinens& Osbeck* 

The wood is light yellow, hard, strong, and 

tongh, and very susceptible to attack by dry-wood 

te1m1ite-s. Its uses includes canes and various small 

articles, such as manicure sticks. 

Tho orange, \vith its high vitamin C content, is 

one of the most popular tropical fruits. Quantities 

of the sweetish juice are canned in Puerto 

ltico for export. The peel yields an essential oil 

when pressecl and sometimes is candied. Orange 

oil is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia 

as a flavoring agent. 

Grown extensively as a fruit tree in Puerto Rico, 

where it is one of the most important fruits and 

also a goocl honey plant. The trees are also ornamental. 

Founcl thro~!ghout the island but chiefly 

in coffee plantations in the lower Cordillera and 

moist limestone regions. Also in Mona, St. Croiu, 

and St. Thomas, and probably others of the Virgin 

Islands. Occasionally escaping from cultivation 

or naturalized. 

PUBLIC 

Carite, Guaja- 

FORESTS.-~~M~~~~C~~, 

taca, Gailarte, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Toro 

Negro. 

&~UNICIPAIIITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY OOBfM0N.- 

5,6,8,21,32,47,61,70,73. 

RANGE.-Probably originally native of China, 

Vietnam, or other southeastern Asiatic regions 

but no longer known as truly wild. Widely cultivated 

in tropical and subtropical regions, escaping, 

and becoming naturalized. Bermuda, throughout 

West Indies, and subtropical United States from 

Florida to California, south to Argentina. 

OTHER COI\IJION NAIIES.--china dulce (Puerto 

Rico) ; naranja, naran ja duke (Spanish) ; naranja 

cle China (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Nicaragua) 

; nartuijo, naranjo comiin, chino dulce (Venezuela) 

; sweet orange, orange (United States, English) 

; orange douce (French) ; sinamppels 

(Dutch \Vest Indies). 

The scietit~ifiic name and apparently also the 

Puerto Rican common name refer to the country 

of origin. Formerly known as Citrus aurantium 

L., a name now restricted to the sour orange.

100. China, sweet orange 


101. Aceitillo, yellow-sanders, yellowheart 

Formerly one of Puerto Rico's most v:lluable 

timbers, this no~v scarce tree is distinguished by : 

(1) tlle pinnate leaves with mostly 5-9 nearly 

stalkless elliptic leaflets rounded or short-pointed 

at apex ancl base, the edges without teeth or very 

finely wavy, and \!-it11 minute gland dots; (2) 

trunk and twigs not spiny as in related species; 

(3) small yellowish 5-partecl spreading flomers 1h 

inch across; and (4) the dry fruits of 1 or 2 dark 

brown pocls % inch long. 

A small to medium-sized diciduoas tree 20-50 

feet lligll and 3-16 inches in trunk diameter or a 

shrub. The bark is smootl~isll, slightly fissured, 

light gray, and thin. Inner bark yellowish, wit11 

citrus spicy taste. The twigs are stont, gray, and 

finely gray hairy with minute star-shaped 11:tirs 

\\yllei young. - 

The leaves are alternate and 4-10 inches long. 

Leaflets are paired except for the encl one, 1-3 

inches long ancl 1/2-1% inches broad, thin, wit11 

minute star-shaped hairs wllen young but becoming 

almost hairless, and slightly shiny green at 

maturity. 

The much branched fl o\ver clusters (panicles) 

are terminal arid 2-5 inclles long and broad. The 

many short-stalked fragrant flomers are male and 

female on clifferent trees (dioecious). Sep:lls 5, 

minute, covered with gray star-shaped hairs, 

petals 5; male flowers wit11 5 stamens about as 

long as petals; and female flowers with pistil of 

mostly 2-lobed 2-celled ovary (or 1-3-celled) and 

mostly 2-lobed stigma. 

The fruits are of 1 or 2 stalked pods (follicles), 

splitting open and conhiining 1 neiirly round shiny 

black seed l/s inch long. Flowering mainly with 

the new leaves or from winter to summer and with 

fruit from spring to fall. 

The sapwood is n~hitish to light yellow, and the 

heart~voocl yellow to yellomish brown. The wood 

is very hard, heavy (specific gmvity 0.9), strong, 

fine-grained, with clearly defined growth rings, 

and with odor of coconllts or oil. It has a satiny 

luster, takes a fine polish, and is resistant to attack 

by dry-mood termites. 

This beautiful decorative wood has been prized 

for cabinetmaking, fine furniture, paneling, inlaid 

work, veneer, and turnery. Other uses are backs 

of hand mirrors and hairbrushes. IfTood fi red 

with wavy grain is converted into veneer for f land- 

RUE FAMTLY (RUTACEAE) 

Zanthoxylum flavum Vahl 

some f~~rnit~ire and paneling. It is reported that 

Pilcrto Rico formerly procluced the finest West 

Indian satin~~~oocl, both in quality and color, but 

exports ceased \vith exhaustion of the supply. 

Logs of figured mood commanded very high prices 

by the cubic foot or by woigllt. Even the stumps 

and roots were removed and shipped from Puerto 

Rico as late as 1920. 

This species can be planted for shade as well as 

its fine moocl. It is also a honey plant, the flowers 

attracting bees. 

Protected forests in the serpentine and dry and 

moist limestone re ions of western Plierto Rico, 

now rare. Plantec f experimentally in the Guajataca 

Forest, this s ~ecies is proving slow growing. 

Trees 15 years olc / are scarcely 3 inches in diameter. 

Reported many years ago from Bordeaux 

Hills, St. .John, and possibly now extinct there. 

Punr.rc 2-o~~s~s,-Carnba~ache, Guajatacn, Gu6nicn, 

Mnricao. 

RANGE.-Lower Florida ICeys (nearly extinct), 

Bermuda, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, 

Plierto Rico, and Lesser Antilles from Anyilla to 

St. Lucia. Also recorded from Bonaire. 

OTHER CO~TMON ~~tnr~s.--espinillo (Dominican 

Republic) ; aceitillo (Cuba) ; yellowheart, satinmoocl, 

yello~vheart prickly-ash, yell~~~\vood (Unitecl 

States) ; IVest Indian satinn-ood, satinwood 

(English, commerce) ; .Jamaican sitinwood, - 

low-sanders (Jamaica) ; noyer, bois noyer ( d"' uadeloupe) 

; Imlabarie (Bonaire) . 

BOTANICAL s~~o~~nr.-Fagat+a flava (Vahl) 

ICrap L Urban. 

This genus, whose name frequently is spelled 

IXanthoxylum, has 2 additional native tree species 

and 2 of shrubs besides the 3 figured here. Anot,ller 

species of espino rubial (Zanthoxylum caribaeum 

Lam.; synonym Fagara catrbaea (Lam.) 

ICr~ig & Urban) in so~itl~ern and western Puerto 

Rico has pinnate leaves with 7-13 elliptic leaflets 

rouncled at apex and with ~v-avy-toothed margins. 

Alfiler (ZnnMoxylum punctatum Vahl ; synonym 

Pagara trifolinta Sm.) , a spiny shrub or small 

tree of southwestern Puerto Rico, Mona, and St. 

Croix, has pinnate leaves with obovate or elliptic 

leaflets, usually 3 or sometimes as many as 7 or 

even 19, with variable apex, and relatively few 

small 3-parted flomers in lateral clusters.

101. AceIffllo, yellow-sanders, yellowheart 

Two-thirds natural sire. 

Zanfhoxvlum flawm Vahl 

229


102. Espino rubial, white-prickle, Martinique pr ~ickly-ash 

Zanthoxglum rnartinicense (Lam.) DC. 

This medium-sized tree is characterized by: 

(1) the very stout conical spines %-1 inch long 

and bronc1 on the smoothish light gray trunk a!ld 

usually smaller spines on the twigs; (2) the pinnate 

leaves \\-it11 7-19 stalkless oblong to Innceshaped 

leaflets 11h-5 inches long and inches 

broad, very finely wavy marg~ned, and wit11 minute 

gland dots; (3) many small greenish-white 

5-parted flowers ?i6 inch long and broad; and 

(4) the dry fruits, deeply 6-parted, M inch long 

and 5i6 inch broad, drlrlr brown. 

An evergreen tree becoming 20-65 feet in 

height and 18 inches in trunk diameter, with thin 

spreading cro\vn. The bark is smoothish, light 

gray, about l,!' inch thick, with spines on larger 

trees becoming 2 inclles long and broad. Inner 

bark brown, \\.it11 cit1~1.s spicy taste and also 

slightly gritty. The twigs are gray, stout, brittle, 

minutely bristly hairy when young, usually spiny 

with many stout gray splrles inch long. 

The alternate leaves are 61.2 inches long, the 

ases and midribs finely hairy and often spiny. 

The leaflets are short-pointed to rounded at apex, 

sliglltly oblique at base, thin, upper surface green 

and hairless, lorn-er surface paler and minutely 

hairy on veins. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are terminal and lateral, 

much branched, 2-6 inches long and broad, 

bearing many almost stallrless flowers, male and 

female on different trees (dioecious) . There are 5 

minute sepals; 5 spreacling petals; in male flowers 

5 stamens longer than petals; and in female flowers 

a pistil with deeply 5-lobed 5-celled ova~y and 

6-lobed stigma. The fruits nre deeply 5-parted, 

each part (follicle) splitting open and with 1 

nesrly rou~id shiny black seed % inch long. Flowering 

and fruiting from spring to fall. 

The sapwood is whitish, and the he:irtwood light, 

yellow to light yellowish brown. The wood is of 

medium weigllt (specific gravity 0.46), hard, of 

medium to fine texture, with growth rings clearly 

defined, but without distinctive figure. It is vary 

susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites and 

other insects and is not durable \\.here exposed. 

Tho rate of air-seasonin is rapid, but the amount 

of degrade is considerab 7 e. RIachining characteristics 

are as follows : planing, shaping, boring, and 

inort king are fair; turning and sanding are poor; 

and resistance to screw splitting is good. 

Because of the small size of the remaining trees, 

the moo

102. Esplno rubial, whiteprickle, Martiniclue prickly-ash ZantAo~grylum martinicsnec (Lam.) DO. 



103. Palo rubio, yellow-prickle, yellow prickly-ash 

Zanthoxylum monophyllum (Lam.) P. Wilson 

An aromatic small tree or shrub, generally with 

s iny twigs and trunk, further characterized by: 

5) short-stalked simple leaves with elli tic Mades 

1x4 inches long and $4 inches broa$ or sometimes 

larger, usunlly short-pointed at both ends, 

with numerous minute gland dots, slightly spicy 

when crushed; (2) mnny small whitish 5- arted 

flowers about 9/ls inch across in terminal or P nteral 

1-2 inches long; and (3) 1-3 

fruits 9i6 inch long from a 

open to release 1 rounded 

leaves (or single 

from other specles 

or shrubby, with spreading crown. 

brown bark is smoothish with vertical ry ssures, 

often bearing many stout pyramidal spines $-9/4 

inch high and 1 inch or more in vertical len@h 

along the trunk. Inner bark is deep yellow, with 

a bitter spicy taste. The peen twigs, becoming 

brown, frequently have scattered stout spines l/a 

inch or more in length. 

The alternate leaves have slender petioles 1/ 1/2 

inch long. Blades are slightly thickened, the e&es 

sometimes slightly ~vavy, hairless, green and 

sli htly shiny above and paler beneath. 

Branches of the flower duster (panicle) often 

are minutely hairy when youn . Flowers apparently 

are mostly male and fema f e on different trees 

(dioecious) . Female flowers have 5 minute pointed 

sepals, 5 narrow white petals less than 1/8 inch 

long, and pistil more than '/le inch long with deeply 

2- or 3-lobed, 2- or 3-celled ovary and 2 or 3 

styles. Male flowers have 5 stamens about as lon 

as petals. From each female flower are forme f 

1-3 rounded podlike fruits (follicles) longer than 

broad, each covered with tiny gland dots and 

1-seeded. 

The sapwood is light yellow and the heartwood 

dttrlc brown. The wood is very hard, heavy (s e- 

cific gmvity 0.76), tough, fine-textured, and l as 

. It takes n good polish but is sel- 

c ottl u d 

YOwth rinp 

because of the s1n11l1 size of the trees. 

Distributed chiefly in western Puerto Rico in 

the constnl and limestone forest regions. Also in 

ITieques, St. Croix, St. Thomns, and St. John. 

PU~LIC m.o~~sm.--Gu8nicn, Susfia. 

J~UNICIPALITIES 

WIIERE EGI'ECL~LLY OOMXON.- 

12,36,38. 


Islnnds, and Lesser Antilles from Montserrat to 

St. Lucia and Barbados and in Trinidad, Bonaire, 

and Curaqao. Also in Venezuela, Colombia, and 

Costa Rica. 

OTIIER COBLB~ON ~~3fEs.--enrubio, espino, mapurito, 

espino rubial, espino blnnco, carubio, rubia 

(Puerto Rico) ; yellow-prickly (Virgin Islnnds) ; 

pino macho (Dominican Republic) ; lagarto, laprto 

negro, lagarto amarillo (Costa Rica) ; bosii, 

bosira, concha de paneque, paneque (Venezuela) ; 

yellow prickly-ash (English) ; .yellow harklis 

( Rarbndos) ; l6puni jnune, l6p1n6 jaune, bois 

noyer (Guadeloupe, Jfnrtinique) ; bossoea, knubnati 


BOTANICAL SYNONYDI.-Faqara 71~)7~)phylta 

Lam.

103. Palo rubio, yellow-prickle, yellow prickly-ash Zanthoaylum monophyllum (Lam.) P. Wilson 

Natural size.

AILANTHUS FAMILY (SIMAROUBACEAE) 

104. Guarema, bitterbush Picramnia pentandra Sw. 

A small slender tree or shrub charucterized by : 

(1) the showy or ornnmental red or scarlet fruits 

3/8-5/R inch long, in grapelike terminal clusters, 

turning to black; (2) leaves with 5-9 elliptic to 

ovate, mostly long- ointed lenflets 11h-5 inches 

long and 1-2 inches 6 road; (3) minute green and 

reddish-tinged 5-parted flowers % inch long and 

broad ; and (4) tlle leaves, gray twigs, bark, fruits, 

and seeds very bitter. 

An evergreen tree or shrub to 20 feet hidl and 

4 inches in trunk diameter. Bark on small trunks 

is pray and smootli. Tlie inner bark is brown and 

bitter. Young twigs, very young leaves, and 

flower stalks are covered with minute grayish 

pressed hairs. 

The alternate leaves are 5-12 inches long, the 

axis green or reddish tinged. The leaflets have 

short stalks l/s inch long and are short-pointed or 

sorr~etimes oblique nt base, not toothed at edges, 

slightly thickened, almost hairless at maturity, 

sliglitly shiny green on upper surface and somewhat 

paler beneath. 

Male and female flowers are on different trees 

(dioecious) in branched terminal clusters (panicles) 

3-7 inclies long. Tlie flowers have 5 narrow 

sepals and 5 narrow petals about s6 inch long. 

Male flowers have 5 stnmens, and female flowers 

a pistil with 2- or 3-celled ovary and 2 or 3 stigmas. 

Berrylike fruits, borne on slender red stalks, are 

round to elliptic, 3/8-5/8 inch long, somewllnt juicy 

inside, with 13 shiny brown seeds X-sJs inch long. 

Flowers and fruits produced nearly through the 

year. 

The whitish, hard, heavy wood is little used in 

Puerto Rico, because the trees are too small. 

The leaves and bark have been employed medicinally 

in Cuba against fevers. In sout11ern 

Florlda and Cuba the small trees have been grown 

as hardy ornamentals. A honey plant. 

In secondary forests in the coastnl and limestone 

regions of Puerto Rim. Also in Tortola and reported 

from St. Thon~as. 

PUBLIC ~o~~srs.-Carnbalache, Guzlnica, Rio 

Abajo. 

RANGE-Southern Florida includin Florida 

Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica ( ?) , IF ispaniola, 

Puerto Rico and Tortola, St. Martin St. Barth6lemy 

, Antigua, Montsermt, ~undeioupe, Dominica, 

Martini ue, St. Lucia, and Tobago. Also in 

Colombia and 't enezuela. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.-~U~SO (PueIb Rico) ; 

aguedita, pa10 de peje, palo de pez (Dominican 

Republic) ; aguedita, roble ngnlla, uina del pais 

Cuba) ; bitterbush, Florida bitlet%ush (United 

Atfiles) ; doctor-bar (Tobago) ; bois poison, millant 

@won (Haiti) ; bois poison, bols montagne 

(Cfuadeloupe) ; mild-coffee (Dutch West Indies).

104. Onarema, bitterbush 

Natural size. 

Pimmnia pentandra 8w. 

235

BURSERA FAMILY (BURSERACEAE) 

Key to the 3 native species, all illustrated (Nos. 105-107) 

A. Leaflets asymmetrical at base, less than 3 inches long ; flowers 5-parted-105. Buruera ulmaruba. 

AA. Leaflets symmetrical at base, 2W-7 inches long. 

B. Leaflets short-pointed or rou~ided at both ends; flowers 3-parted-106. Dacryodes exeelsa. 

BB. Leaflets long-pointed at apex, short-pointed at base; flowers 4-parted-107. 

- 

Tetragastria balsamilera. 

105. Almlcigo, turpentine-tree, gumbo-limbo 

Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. 

This spreading aromatic tree is wily recog- and mortising are very poor; boring is poor; and 

nized by tlle smooth reddish-brown or copper- i.esistnnce to screw splitting is excellent. 

colored bark, which peels off in papery flakes and The \t700d is suited for boxes, crates,. cement 

exposes the greenish-brown layer beneath. Other forms, interior carpentry, light construction, firedistinguishing 

characteristics are: (1) a gmyish wood, and charcoal. Other products made elseresin 

with t'nste like turpentine which exudes from where are matches, match boxes, toothpicks, and 

cuts in the bark; (2) the slightly pungent or tur- utility ply~vood. 

pentine odor of crushed leaves and fruits and cut The aromatic resin known as Chibou, Cachibou 

twigs; (3) the pinnate leaves with 5 or 7 (some- resin, or Gomart resin, has been employed in dotimes 

3) oblong to ovate leaflets 1%-3 inches long, mestic medicines and as glue, varnish, coating for 

abruptly short-pointed at apex and broad and canoes, and incense. A tea substitute has been preoblique 

at base, and (4) the many small whitish or pared from the leaves. 

yellon~ish-,pen 5-parted flowers about 3/ls inch The trees are used in Puerto Rim chiefl for livacross. 

ing fenceposts, being easily propagated 9 rom cut- 

A medium-sized deciduous tree 2040 feet high tings and posts. They are also planted along road. 

with relatively thick trunk 1-2 feet or more in di- sides and in hedges and can serve also as livin 

ameter, large spreading crooked branches, and thin telegraph poles. Because of the attractive colore f 

foliage. The bark is about inch thick, the inner bark, the trees have been planted as ornamentals 

bark whitish or reddish, soft, and almost tasteless. in dry soils of southern Florida, where they are 

Twigs are brownish green, becoming light brown. also native. 

Leaves are alternate and 4-8 inches long. The Native to tlle soils derived from limestone in 

leaflets are paired except for the end one, short- Puerto Rico but seen as a fence row and roadside 

stalked, oblong to ovate, inches broad, tree in the coastal and lower mountain regions. 

slightly thickened, edges not toothed, mostly hair- Also in Mona, Desecheo, Icncos, Culebra, Vieques, 

less, green or dark green and slightly shiny above, St. Crois, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. A 

and paler beneath. 

few trees of this species in the thorn scrub at the 

Flower clusters (panicles) are terminal and lat- eastern end of St. 'Croix are the easternmost trees 

eral, branched and narrow, and 2-6 inches long. in United States territory. 

The flowers on slender, usunlly short stalks are PUBLIC ~on~s-rs.-Apirre, Cambalache, Guajamostly 

male and female on different trees or taca, Gulinica, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Susfia, Vega! bud 

some flowers bisexual (polygamous). Calyx is MUNICIPALITIES WIIERE ESPECIALLY COBLBION.- 

5-toothed; petals 5; stamens 10; and pistil with 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 32, 36, 38, 

3-celled ovary, short style, and 3-lobed stigma. 44,54, K,Gl 66,68,75. 

The fruits (drupelike) are diamond-shaped, RAXGE.-douthern Florida including Florida 

slightly 3-an led, pointed at both ends, about 4/2 Ice s and almost throughout FVest Indies from 

inch long an% W6 inch broad, dark pink,??litting ~aiamas and Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago and 

into 3 parts, with usually one 3-angled wh~tish seed Curaqao and Arubn. Also from Mexico to Colom- 

3/g inch long. Flowers and fruits appearing usual- bia, Venezuela, and British Guinna. 

ly in spring before or with the new leaves, some- OTI~ER coararo~ NAMES.-West-Indian-birch, 

times in summer. 

gommier (Virgin Islands) ; almlcigo (Spanish, 

Both sap~md and heart\vood are a uniform commerce) ; indio desnudo (Spanish) ; almticigo 

cream to light brown color, thoug11 turning bluish blanco, almbcigo colorado (Dominican Republic) ; 

gray because of sap-staining. The wood is light- almticigo. almucigo colorado (Cuba) ; mulato, palo 

weight (specific gravity 0.29), fine-textured, soft, mulnto, chaca, palo retinto (Mexico) ; jiots, palo 

weak, with strong odor, the growth rings absent jiote (AIexico, Guatemala, Hondurns, El Salvaor 

indistinct. It is very susceptible to attack by dor) ; chino, chinacahuite, palo chino, chaca, chicdry-wood 

termites and other insects and is very chica, palo pulato (Guatemala) ; chinacuite, jeneperishable. 

Sap stain develops in freshly cut logs quite, chino, rlo chino cop6n, pala mulato, torchunless 

milled immediately and the lumber is mood (Hon urns); jkocuabo, jiiiicuite (Nicadipped 

in an xntistain solution before piling. Rate ragua) ; jiiiote, caraiia, jiiiocuavo (Costa Rica) ; 

of air-seasoning is rapid, and amount of degrade is almlclgo, carate (Panama) ; alr?licigo, caratero, 

minor. Machining characteristics are as follows : phcimo, resbalo mono (Colombia) ; job0 pelhn, 

planing and sanding are good; shaping, turning, caraiia, pellejo de indio, mara, cucheme, palo de

AlmBclgo, turpentine-tree, gumbo-limbo 


Bureera 8t~rt4ba (L.) Barg.

incienso (Venezuela) ; gumbo-limbo (United 

States, commerce) ; gum-elemi, West-Indian-birch 

(United States) ; gumtree (Bahamas) ; red-birch, 

West-Indian-birch, turpentine-tree, incense-tree, 

mastic-tree (Jamaica) ; gommier maudit (St. 

Lucia) ; gomme mombin (Grenada) ; birch-gum 

(Barbados) ; turpentine-tree (Grenadines) ; peeling-bark 

gommier, naked-Indian, Indien nue, dryland 

gommier (Trinidad) ; naked-boy (Tobago) ; 

birch red gombo-limbo, huku , chaca, palo chino, 

palo iiote (British ~onduras? ; chioue, gommier 


blanc (Haiti) ; gprnmier rouge (Guadeloupe, Martinque) 

; gommier, gommier barriere (Guadeloupe) 

; paaloe sieja doesji, paaloe sieja maatsjoe, 

sieja blanko, gumtree, balsam-tree (Dutch West 

Indies). 

BOT~~NICAL SYNONYJIS.-~urse~a gummifera L., 

B. ovalifolia (Schlecht.) Engler, Elaphrium 

simamtba (L.) Rose. 

Tho English name gumbo-limbo is a corruption 

of the Spanish name goma elemi meaning gum 

resin. 

106. Tabonuco Dacryodes excelea Vahl 

Usually a very large erect tree, risin above the 

forest canopy and distinguished at a $ istance on 

the mounta~nsides by its size and dark green foliage. 

Tabonuco is further recognized by : (1) the 

smooth whitish bark, eeling off in thick flakes and 

exuding streaks of f' rapant whitish resin from 

cuts; (2) the pinnate leaves with 5-7 elliptic leaflets 

24/24 inches long and 1%-3 inches broad, producin 

characteristic fragrance when crushed ; and 

(3) ofions fl5hy brown fruits 1 inch long and 4/2 

inch broa . ecause of its abundance, size, and 

good form, this was one of the most valuable trees 

of Puerto Rico's original mountain forests. 

Tabonuco reaches 100 feet or more in height, is 

ever en, and has an elongated crown. Britton 

and .tr Yilson in their flora called it "the most majestic 

tree" of Puerto Rico. The trunk becomes 

3-5 feet or more in diameter and is slightly enlarged 

at the base, sometimes with short broad 

buttresses giving the ap earance of an elephant's 

foot. The bark is thin [about inch thick) and 

reddish brown on rapimd-growing youn trees. The 

resin, which is an amber liquid when f resh and becomes 

white and hard after exposure to the air, 

is inflammable. The inner bark is brown, gritty, 

and has a turpentine taste. Twigs are brown and 

slightly warty. 

Leaves are alternate and 6-10 inches long. The 

short-stalked leaflets, paired except for the end 

one, are elliptic, short-pointed or rounded at apex 

and base, not toothed on edges, slightly thickened, 

hairless, dark green on upper surface, and green 

beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are lateral and much 

branched, 3-8 inches long. The small greenish 

flowers about Si6 inch across are male and female 

on different trees (dioecious). Calyx is cupshaped, 

3-toothed; petals 3, less than l/s inch long, 

spreading; stamens 6, short, inserted at base of 

thick disk ; and pistil of female flowers with ovary, 

short style, and stigma. 

The fruit (drupe) resembles an olive and is 1- 

seeded. Flowering and fruiting nearly through 

the year, but most fruits produced from July to 

October. 

The narrow sapwood is grayish, and the heartwood 

uniform brown with pinkish cast when first 

cut, turning pinkish brown when seasoned and 

later lustrous brown when exposed. The wood 

is moderately heavy (s ecific gravit.y 0.53), moderately 

hard, tough, an ! strong, of fine to medium 

uniform texture, with roey and interlocked pin, and ripple marks, lacking growth rings, and with 

high luster. It is ve susceptible to attack by 

dry-wood termites an7is only slightly resistant 

to decay. Rate of air-seasoning is rapid, and 

amount of degrade is minor. Machining characteristics 

are as follows: planing, shaping, mortising, 

sanding, and resistance to screw splitting 

are good ; and turning and boring are fair. The 

wood cuts and saws easily but rapidly dulls saws 

and other tools. It stams well, finishes beautifully 

with varnish or lacquer, - . and resembles 

mahogany. 

Tabonuco has been utilized in Puerto Rico more 

because of its availability in quantity and in large 

sizes than because of its wood ual~ty. It is extensively 

used as a substitute ? or mahogany in 

furniture. Besides all types of furniture, it serves 

for cabinetwork, interior trim, genernl construction, 

carpentry, txnd vehicle and truck bodies. 

Elsewhere it is made into crates, boxes, sl~ingles, 

and small boats. The wood should be suitable also 

for soft-drink cases, fruit and vegetable containers, 

and decorative veneer. The Caribs of 

Dominica still hollow the trunks into dugout 

canoes, one of which was found washed on the 

eastern shore of Mona Island in 1953. The resin 

was formerly widely employed for torches, as incense 

in religious ceremonies, to calk boats, and for 

medicinal pur oses. 

Because of tKe limitations of the wood, the difficulty 

of successfully transplanting seedlings 

bare-rooted, and the mediocre growth rate of 

forest trees, efforts by the government to increase 

tabonuco artificial1 in the public forests have 

been abandoned. dn the other hand, young trees

106. Tt~bonuco 


Dmyodeu mcelea Vahl 

239

4 

which appear naturally within the public forests 

in some places are being protected and cared for. 

Formerly distributed widely in the lower LUand 

lower Cordillera forests, where it was 

Till0 t e dominant tree. Because this species does npt 

readily reinvade open or cutover areas, it has dlsappeared 

from all but the least disturbed forests. 

Now chiefly limited to the remaining virgin or 

protected rain forest of the lo\\-er slopes of the 

Luquillo Mountains but also remaining in several 

smaller isolated areas in the lower Cordillera. 

PUBLIC ~o~~s~s.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Maricao, Tom Negro. 


MUNICIPALITIES WEIERE EGPECZBLLY OMYON.- 

10, 27, 52, 58, 64,70. 

RANUE.-PU~I'~O Rico and Lesser Antilles from 

St. Kitts to Grenada. 

OTHER COJLB~ON NAMES.-gommier blanc (Dominica) 

; cnndlewood (English) ; gommier (commerce, 

St,. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada) ; 

grommier blanc, gommier montagne, bois cochon 

(Gutldeloupe, Martinique) ; gommier, gommier I 

canot (Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL s~~orrmrs.-~ac;.ryodes hxandra 

Griseb., ~ach~lohus hexandmu 

[gi~%: 1 Engler. 

107. Masa Tetragastrie balsamifera (Sw.) Kuntze 

This large tree is characterized by : (1) pinnate 

leaves with 5-9 (commonly 7) lanceolate to ellip- 

tic, abruptly short-pointed, dark peen leaflets 3-7 

inches long, in pairs except for end one, long- 

pointed at apex, short-pointed and symmetrical at 

the base, fragrant when crushed, and with promi- 

nent translucent venation; (2) several to many 

small, blobed, whitish and greenish flowers about 

g6 inch long are borne in terminal and lateral 

clusters; and (3) rounded fruits %-I inch in di- 

ameter in grapelike clusters. 

-4n evergreen tree attaining 50-80 feet in height 

and 1-1s feet in trunk diameter. Bark smooth- 

ish, slightly fissured or flaky, and gray, the inner 

bark brown and bitter. Twigs stout, pay brown, 

finely hairy when young. 

The alternate leaves nre 7-18 inches long. Tlie 

leaflets have stalks 1/4 inch long (end one to 1 inch) 

nnd blades 3-7 ,inches long and 1?4-2% inches 

broad, not toothed on edges, slightly thickened, 

dark green and slightly shiny above, paler and 

with raised veins beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are terminal and lat- 

eral, branched, 2-7 inches long. The slightly fra- 

grant small flowers are mnle and female on differ- 

ent trees or some flowers containing both sexes 

(polygamous) . Calyx is Clobed, greenish ; co- 

rolla 4-lobed, whitish, brown tinged, the lobes not 

spreading; stamens 8; and pistil with bcelled 

ovary, short style, and 4-lobed stigma. Fruits 

(drupes) are 2-4-celled, with 2 seeds in each cell. 

Flowering and fruiting throughout the year. 

The sapwood is whitish, becoming yellowish 

brown2 rhile the heartwood is light reddish brown, 

becomin orange brown with darker streaks. The 

wood is f eavy (specific gravity 0.63) hard, tough, 

strong, of uniformly fine textum, o! irregular to 

very roey grain, with indistinct growth layers, 

and fragmnt. Rate of air-seasoning is rapid, and 

amount of degrade is minor. Mnchining characteristics 

are as follows: planing and resistance to 

screw splitting are fair; shapingl turning, boring, 

and sanding are good ; and mortising is excellent. 

The mood is susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites 

but generally durable to very durable in contact 

with the pound. 

In Puerto Rico the mood is used for furniture, 

cabinetwork, paneling, interior construction, and 

oars. It is suitable also for millwork, light and 

heavy construction, and flooring. Now it is not 

sufficiently common in Iarge sizes to be an important 

timber locally. However, the species regenerates 

readily in the forest, grows rapidly? and is 

of good form, and +herefore may become important. 

Found in little-disturbed forest in the lower 

mountain, moist limestone, and moist and dry 

coastal regions of Puerto Rico. Also St. Croix. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, Carite, Guajataca, 

Guinica, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, 

Susiia, Toro Negro. 

MUNICIPALITIES W~IERF) ESPECIALLY OOYMON.- 

14,30,49,60. 

RANGE.-Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, 

nnd &adeloupe. Reported from Cuba., probably 

in error. 

OTHER COBLMON ~~~w.-palo de aceite (Puerto 

Rico) ; abey, amncey, abey hembra (Dominican Republic) 

; bois cochon (Haiti) ; gommier, gommier 

encsns (Guadeloupe) . 

~ A M C A L ~~~o~~~s.-Hedwigia balsamifera 

Sm., Tetragastris batsantifera var. lanceifolia 

Swart.

101. Maaa 


Tetmpaetrfe Balsamifera (Sw.) Kuntze

MAHOGANY FAMILY (MELIACEAE) 

Key to the 7 species illustrnted (Xos. 1-114) 

A. Leaves biplnnate, leaflets mith toothed margins--110. Melia aredarach.* 

AA. Leaves pinnate ; lentlets not toothed. 

B. Leaflets all paired (even pinnate), asymmetrical. 

C. Leaflets mostly mnny, 10 or more. 

D. Leaflets 10-10 (sometimes 30), vein8 not sunken; flowere and fruit 5-pnrted-108. Oedrela odmta. 

DD. Leaflets 8-20, veins sunken ; flowers and fruit 4-~wrted-100. Guarea trichilioidee. 

CO. Leaflets 4-12. 

E. Laflets 254-43 inches long-111. 8wicter1ia rnacropL~lla.* 

EE. Leaflets 1-211(2 inclles long-112. Bzcietetria t#~alrago~tf.* 

BB. Leaflets of odd number (odd pinnate). 

F. Leaflets 7-21, symmetrical, about equal in size, veins slightly sunken-113. Trfchilb hirta. 

FF. Leaflets 3 or 5 (son~etlmes 7). as~.llllnetricItl, the enci leaflet largest and lowest leaflets smallest: veins 

much sunken, causing a wrinkled appenrnn+lll. Trfchflia pallida. 

108. Cedro hembra, Spanish-cedar Cedrela odorata L 

This native tree mith valuable aromatic wood is 

distinguished by : (1) the alternate, long, even pinnate 

leaves 1-2 feet or more in length with 10-22 

paired lance-shaped, oblong, or ovate leaflets longpointed 

at apex and oblique at the rounded or 

short-pointed bnse ; (2) ~nany narrow yellow-pn 

flowers 1/4-3/g inch long, appearing tubular but 

with 5 nnrrow petals, in long loose spreading terminal 

clusters; (3) brown elliptic seed capsules 

about 1-1% inches long and % inch in diameter, 

splitting widely into 5 parts and releasing many 

long-winged seeds; and (4) the odor of garlic in 

flowers, crushed leaves, and cut twigs, and garlic 

taste in twigs and bark. 

A large deci'duous tree 40-100 feet high and 1-3 

feet in trunk diameter, sometimes with slight buttresses 

nt base, and with large rounded or tall 

crown. The gray or brown bark is thick, becoming 

rough and furrowed. Inner bark is light 

bran-n to pinkish with bitter task of garlic. Tho 

stout grny-brown twigs have raised brown dots 

(lenticels) and large prominent rounded leaf scars. 

The laves have n greenish-brown round axis 

bearing the leaflets on slender stalks inch 

long. Leaflet blades are 2-6 inches long and 1-21/, 

incl~es wide, slightly curved, not toothed on edges, 

thin, hairless, green and slightly shiny on upper 

surface and dull green beneath. The lateral veins, 

which often are slightly s~lnlren in upper surface, 

commonly are nearly parallel with midrib for a 

minute distance at base before forking at a wide 

nngle. . 

The flower clusters (panicles) 6-16 inches long 

bear many flowers on slender, usually hairless 

brnnches. Flowers have a calyx more than x6 inch 

long in form of cup, irregularly toothed and split 

on 1 side, hairless;. yellow-green corolla about 

9/16 inch long, appear~ng tubular but with 5 nnrrow 

oblong petals, mlnutely hairy on outside, united to 

the disk like a tube; 5 stamens with filaments attached 

on the narrow columnar disk, shorter than 

petals; and also on the disk the pistil v8 inch long 

including 5-celled ovary, .style, and rounded 

stigma. 

The woody seed capsule is rounded at both ends. 

It has a central 5-angled axis with broad apex, to 

~vhicli are attached many long-winged seeds s/4 

inch long, about 18,000 per pound. 

from June to August, the fruits maturing an 

romnining on the tree in fall and winter. 

Sapwood is whitish to lidit brown, the henrtwood 

light brown to reddish brown with prominent 

growth rings (semi-ring- orous). The mood 

resembles mnhognny (caoba) 6 ut has the charncteristic 

frng~ant odor of Spanish-cedar (cedro) 

and a bitter taste. It is soft, liglltweight (specific 

grnvit 0.45), strong, easily worked, and takes n 

rY 

smoot 1 polish. It is durable, resistant to dry-wood 

termites, and not attacked by other insects. Rate 

of air-seasoning is rapid, nnd amount of degrade 

is minor. hlncllining characteristics are as fol- 

lows : planing, shaping, mortising? and sanding are 

good ; txrning is fair ; and boring IS poor. 

Spanish-cedar or cedro (Cedrela) including 7 

or more species with similar woods is widely dis- 

tributed in the New World from West Indies and 

Mexico south to Argentina (except Chile). It is 

the most important timber for local use in tropical 

America, the lumber being used extensively for 

general construction, carpentry, and suitable for 

mnny other purposes. This fine cabinet wood is 

preferred for furniture, cabinetmaking, cnrpentry, 

doors nnd mindom, interior trim, shelves, carved 

fignres, etc. Being resistant to insects and aro- 

matic, the wood is a favorite for chests and ward- 

robes. Elsewhere it is used also for veneer, ply- 

wood, and boat parts. In the pnst, qunntities mere 

exported to the United States and other countries 

for cigtrboxes, but no\\. little is used for this pur- 

pose. Indians made dugout canoes from the 

trunks and paddles from the wood. The astringent 

bark has been employed in home remedies. 

This and related species are commonly grown 

in tropical America as handsome shade trees along 

streets and highways, in parks, and pastures, and 

in plantations of coffee and cncao. Also a honey 

plant. 

Because of the valuable mood the native trees of 

this species have been reduced to scattered remote

108. Cedro hembra, Spanish-cedar 

Two-thirds natural sfrc.

areas in Puerto Rico, chiefly in the moist limestone 

and lower Cordillera forest regions. In the Cordillera 

restricted chiefly to steep rocky areas wit11 

soils in the Ilucnrn group or In sssociated welldrained 

rocky soils. In a few experiments the 

native seed has not produced promising forest 

plant a t' lons. 

Seed from continental America formerly repsrded 

as a distinct species, cedro espafiol 

or Alexican-cedar (Cedre7n nacxicnnn 31. J. 

Roem.), has also been tested in Puerto Rico. 

Though widely lantecl in tlie public forests for 

timber, most of t P e trees became chlorot ic and died 

for reasons not understood. Nevertheless, a feu1 

trees ,p\r very rapidly. The linndsome sliade trees 

commonly seen along roadsides are froni imported 

seed. 

PUBLIC FORE^-Cnrite, Guajatncn, Guilnrte, 

Maricao, Rio Aba~o, Toro Negro. 

Rarsa~.-Widely distributed in wet forests of 

lo\\. elevations in tropical Americti. Native npparently 

through \Irest Indies in Greater Antilles 

and Lesser Antilles to Trinidad and Tobago, tlie 

rtinge spread by c~~ltirntion. Also native 111 continental 

tropical America froni hfesico (Sin:llon 

and San Luis Potosi soutllwardr to Ecuador, 

Peru, Brazil, arid Guinnas. Introduced into 

southern Florida and the Old World. 


OTHER OOMJLON NA~ZFG.--CC~~O, cedro 010roS0, 

cedro del pnis, cedro hembra del pais, cedro mexiclino, 

cedro espaiiol (Puerto Rico) ; cedro (Spanisli, 

commerce) ; cedro hembrcl (Dominican Re- 

~)ltblic, Cuba) ; cedro rnnclio (Cuba) ; cedro 

colonldo, culche (Mexico) ; cedro real (El Salvador) 

; cedro ttmargo, cedro blanco, cedro dulce, 

cedro colorado, ccibano (Costn Rica) ; cedro 

unltwgo (P:ln:ima) ; cedro blanco, cedro oloroso, 

mtlro c:ioba, cedro clavel (Colombia) ; cedro 

ulnargo, cedro amarillo (Venezuela) ; cedro de 

Castilln. (Ecuador) ; cedro colorado (Peru) ; 

Spanish-cedar, West-Indies-cedar, Mexican-cedar, 

Centrnl-American-cedar, South-American - cedar 

(Englisli) ; cigarbox - cedar, ciprbox cedrela 

(United States) ; cedar, Jtimaicnn-cedar, Hondums-cedar 

(Jamaica) ; redcedar, acajou (Dominica, 

Trinidad) ; cigarbox-cedar, cedar (Trinidad) ; 

redcetlar (Tobago) ; 'cedar (British Honduras) ; 

rcclcetlar, ceclar, kurana (British Guiana) ; acajou 

rouFe (French) ; ckdre, &dre espagnol (Haiti) ; 

:~C:IJOII amer, acajou senti, acujou h muebles, acajou 

~ILYS (Guadeloupe) ; acajou (Dutch IVest Indies) ; 

leli (Curnqao) ; ceder (Surinam) ; acajii, cedro 

vermellio (Brazil). 

IJOT~~XICAI, s~-~o~nrs.-Ced)~e'ela 8inteni8ii C. 

DC., C. ?~tcxicana hi. J. Roem. 

109. Guaraguao, American muskwood Guarea trichilioides L. 

Large tree of moist forests distinguished by: 

(1) n dense crown of large, nlternate, even pinnate 

leaves wit11 8-20 or more pnired, elliptic to oblong, 

glossy, dark green leaflets, with sunken veins giving 

n slightly corrugated nppmttnnce ; (2) the apex 

of the woody leaf axis continuing to grow like n 

stem and forming new leaflets at the tip after the 

other leaflets are mtlture; (3) many 4-parted 

greenish-white flo~vers %-5/8 inch across; and (4) 

the reddish-brown seed capsules borne in ntarrow 

grnpelike clusters, nearly round, 5/8-% inch in clinmeter 

but narrowed at base, covered with many 

rnised dots (lenticels) and splitting into 4 parts, 

with 4 or fewer reddisii seeds. 

An evergreen tree of tlie forest canopy 40-75 

feet tall, with strniglit clear trunk (forked lo\\. in 

open grown trees) 13 feet in diameter, ,z few 

larger, becoming fluted when large, and with a 

widely spreading crown. The bark is rough, with 

many longitudinal fissures, brown with n reddish 

tinge, thick (3/8 inch or more). Inner bark is pinkish 

and slightly bitter. Twigs are brown and 

stout, with many raised dots (lent.icels). 

The leaves am 8-24 inclles long on stout round 

brown woody axes. The leaflets, borne on short 

stalks 1/8 inch long, are 5-7 inches long and 1%- 

2% inches broad, short-pointed nt apex and base, 

edges not toothed, slightly tliicltened, dark green 

on upper surface and paler beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are borne laterally, 

brnnclied but narrow, 4-12 ~nclles long. The numorons 

fmgnint Short-stalked flowers nre spreading 

tind ~ninl~tely hairy. The calyx is 4-lobed; 

tliero :we 4 hairy petals inch long; white stamen 

tobe inch high with 8 anthem inside top; and 

pistil 3/le inch h~gh on a disk with 4-celled ovary, 

?lo, and stigma. The seeds are S/s-1/2 inch long. 

3 o\vels and fruit are produced over most of the 

year. 

Tho sapwood is whitish to brownish, and the 

vo~y nttrnctive hetlrtwood pinkish to red, turning 

light reddish brown. The wood is of medium 

~veight or moderately heavy (specific gravity 

O.Bl), hard, strong, tough, medium-textured, 

strn~glit-pained, some\vhat brittle, and aromat~c 

when green bllough odorless when seasoned. Rate 

of air-seasoning 1s slow, and amount of degrade 

is moderate. Machining charncteristics are as follows: 

planing, shaping, turning, mortising, and 

resistnlice to screw splitting are pod ; boring is 

foir; and sanding is excellent. he mood is resist:lnt 

to zittack by dry-wood termites arid is durnt)le 

in tlio ground. 

This pretty mood makes fine furniture and cabinets, 

since it resembles mahogany and Spanish-

109. Ouaraguao, American muakwoad 

Natural ske.

cedar and takes n high polish. It is used also for 

construction, carpentry, implements, and cooperage- 

Planted ns a hardy smnll shnde tree in southern 

Florida. Elsewhere the leaves and roots have 

served in home medicines. 

This species is one of the commonest trees of 

moist forests and coffee plantations of Puerto Rico. 

It regenerntes abundantly and withstands forest 

shnde. Trees which come up in coffee plantations 

are sometimes left until they can be harvested for 

their wood, although the shnde is generally considered 

too dense for coffee culture. Test plantations 

established by the government show this 

species to be slo~ver in growth than broadleaf mahogany, 

so the latter hns been substituted where 

adapted. The trees are suitable for shade as well 

as wood. 

Distributed throughout the lower mountain 

moist limestone, and moist constal regions o# 

Puerto Rico. Also St. Croix. 

PU~LIC FORESTS.-Cnmbalache, Carit&, Gunjntncn, 

Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Toro 

Negro, Vegn. 

~~UNICIPAIII'ITE~ WHERE EBPECIALLY COBIBION.-5, 

6, 7, 21, 40, 42 43, 47, 50, 53, 61, 70, 73. 

RmaE.-cubn, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico 

and St. Croix. Also in Trinidad and from Costa 

MAHOGANY FAMILY (MELLACEAE) 

Ricn and Pannmn south to Ar entina and Brazil. 

Introduced in soutllern Flori d a 

OTHER ~0x310~ NA~~ES.--cabirma santa, cabinna, 

cedro nlacho (Dominican Republic); 

ynmno, ynmtqua (Cuba) ; carbonero, manu (Costa 

Rica) ; ceclro mnoho (Panama, Colombia) ; trompi110 

(Colombin, Venezuela, Bolivia) ; bilibili, 

mestizo, trompeto, znmbo cedro (Colombia) ; 

cedro dulce, cedrbn, cnbimbo, shupilrai (Venezuela) 

; fruta de loro (Ecuador) ; latapi, lntapicnspi, 

atnpio, requin (Peru) ; cedrillo (Argentinn) 

; American muskwood (United States) ; red- 

\tvood (Trinidad) j knrnba-balli, buck vomit (British 

Guinnn) ; bols rouge (Haiti) ; bois pistolet 

(Gnadelonpe, Martinique) ; bois bale (French 

Guiana) ; doifiesirie (Surinam) ; git6, cedrohy, 

ntnuba ( Brnzil ) . 

B~ANICAL BTNONY~~.-Guarea guara (Jacq.) 

P. Wilson. 

Guarnyaillo (Guurea rnmiflora Vent.), known 

also as ynraguno macho, is the other native 

species of this genus. It is a smnll tree, common 

and widely distributed in mountain forests only 

in Puerto Rico. The pinnate leaves 2-7 inches 

long have 2-G long-pointed oblong leaflets 3-8 

inches long with prominent veins on both sides. 

The few flowers borne in lateral clusters are pink. 

110. Alelaila, chinaberry Melia azedarach L.* 

This opular introduced tree, planted for its 

showy c I' usters of pale purplish 5-parted spreading 

flowers nnd for the shade of its dense, dark green 

foliage, is further characterized by: (1) lenves 

twice pinnate (bipinnate), composed of many thin 

lance-shaped to ovnte leaflets 1-2 inches long, 

which are long-pointed and saw-toothed on the 

edps (or some lobed) and which has a characterist~c 

bitter taste and pungent odor when crushed; 

and (2) the clusters of nearly round, yellow poisonous 

fruits about y8 inch in diameter, conspicuous 

when the tree is lenfless. 

A small to medium-sixd deciduous tree becoming 

20-50 feet tnll and 1-2 feet in trunk diameter, 

with crowded, abruptly spreading branches forming 

n hemisphericnl or flattened crown. The bnrk 

is dark or reddish brown, becoming furrowed. 

Inner bnrk is whitish, slightly bitter and astringent. 

The twigs are green and hairless or 

nearly so. 

The leaves are alternate and 8-16 inches or more 

in length irnd may be in part three times pinnate 

(tri innate). The numerous short-stalked leaflets 

are krne in pairs dong the slender green bmnches 

of the leaf axis but single at the ends. These 

lenfiets are ?$+!A inch broad, with the base shortpointed 

and mostly 1-sided. They are thin, hair- 

less or nearly so, and dark green on the upper surface 

and pnler below. 

Branched flower clusters (panicles) 4-10 inches 

long are laterally attached and long-stalked. The 

numerous slio\vy frnnmnt flowers on slender stalks 

are about 3/g inch Tong and inch across. 

There are 5 v i s h seguls 1/,, inch long; 5 pale 

purplish or 11nc-colore petals sJs inch long, narrow, 

sprending and slightly turned back; usually 

10 stamens on a narrow violet tube 6/la inch long; 

a pale reen pistil 6/la inch Ion with disk at base, 

3-6-cel F ed ovnry, and long sty f e. 

The fruits or berries (drupes). nre smooth but 

becoming n litt.10 shriveled, and sllghtly fleshy but 

with hard stone containing 5 or fewer narrow dark 

brown seeds b,ia inch long. Them fruits are bitter 

and have poisonous or narcotic properties. Flowering 

throughout the year in Puerto Rico, and the 

old slightly wrinkled yellow fruits generally 

present. 

The sapwood is yellowish white, and heartwood 

light brown to reddisll brown nnd attractively 

mnrked. Tlle wood is moderately soft, weak and 

brittle, nnd very susceptible to attack by dry-mood 

termites. In Puerto Rico the wood is used for 

fuel. Uses of the wood elsewhere include tool 

handles, cabinets, furniture, nnd cignrboxes.

110. Alelaila, chlnaberry 

687-D210--64----I7 

Two-thirds natural Jze.

Extensively planted for ornament and shade. 

This attractive tree is easily propnpted from seed 

and cuttings, sprouts from stumps, and firoms mp- 

idly. Ho\\-ever, it is short-lived; and the brittle 

limbs are easily broken by the mind. 

This species is poisonous and has insecticidal 

pro erties, the leaves and dried fruits having been 

use 1 to protect stored clothing and other articles 

against insects. Various parts of the tree, includ- 

ing fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, and roots, have 

been employed medicinally in different countries. 

The berries are toxic to animals and have caused 

deaths of pigs. An oil suitable for illumination 

\vas extracted experimentally from the berries. 

The hard, angular, bony centers of the fruits, 

\rhen removed by boiling, are dyed and strung as 

beads. In parts of Asia this is a sncred tree. 

In Puerto Rico planted and locally naturalized 

in the coastal and lower mounhiin regions. Com- 

nlonly planted and escaping in the Virgin Islmds. 

Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and 

Tortoltt. 


R~Na~.--Native of southern Asia, probably 

from Iran and I-Eiinnlayn to China, but cultlvated 

and naturalized in tropical and subtropical 

countries over the world. Bermuda and throughout 

West Indies. Also from southern United 

States and Mexico south to Argentina and Brazil. 

Hardy also in warm temperate regions, this 

tropical species is naturalized in southeastern 

Url~ted Stntes and grows north to Virginia and 

Olrlaho~na and \vest to California. 

OTHER ConrnroN ~~~rm.-lilaila, pasilla (Puerto 

Rico) ; lilac (Virgin Islands) ; paraiso (Spanish) ; 

alilaila, lila, lilnyo, violets (Dominican Republic) ; 

jacinto (Panama) ; deli (Venezuels) ; flor de 

pnraiso (Peru) ; chinaberry, chinatree, pride-of- 

China, pride.-of-India, umbrella chinaberry, umbrella-tree 

(United Stntes) ; hoop-tree, JTesbIndian-lilac, 

beacl-tree (Jamaica) ; chinaberry, West- 

Indinn-lilac (Trinidad) ; paradise-tree (British 

Honduras) ; lilas (Haiti) ; lilas, lilas du pays 

(Guadeloupe) ; lilns des Indes (French Guiana) ; 

nleli, anesital lilac (Dutch West Indies) ; cinnamom0 

(Brad). 

111. Caoba'hondureiia, Honduras mahogany Swietenia macrophylla Ring* 

Mahogany, the world's premier cabinet wood 

and probably the most valuable timber tree in tropical 

America, mas not original1 known from 

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islan LT s, but 2 species 

have been widely planted. Honduras mahogany 

is recognized by : (1) usually dense crown of shiny 

green leaves, which are even pinnate and 8-16 

mches long with 6-12 paired, unequal-sided leaflets 

21h-6 Inches long; and (2) erect egg-shaped 

or pear-sha ed seed capsules 41/24 inches long and 

about 3 inc f les in diameter, splitting upward from 

the base into 5 parts. Leaves and fruits are much 

larger than in West Indies mahogany (Swietenia 

mahagoni Jacq.) . 

A medium-sized to large deciduous tree 60 feet 

or more in height with clear, stmight, erect trunk 

to 2 feet or more in diameter, becoming buttressed 

at base. The bark is rough, deeply fissured into 

flat scales, light brown, and about inch thick, 

the inner bark dark reddish and bitter. The stout 

bra\\-n twigs hare many raised dots (lenticels). 

The alternate leaves have a slender round yellow-green 

axis ending in a narrow dertd point,, 

bearlng leaflets on short stalks less than yl inch 

long. Blades are 1-2% inches wide, elliptic to oblong, 

short-pointed at b'me and abruptly longpointed 

at apex, noticeably broader on side toward 

axis, not toothed on edges, slightly thickened or 

leathery, green to dark reen and slightly shiny 

on upper surface, and pa F er beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) 4-6 inches or more in 

length at base of new leaves bear many small, 

short-stalked, fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers 

1/2 inch across. The light green calyx '/lo 

inch ligh is 5-toothed; there are 5 oblong, slightly 

concave, greenish-yellow petals inch long, 

greenish-yellow stamen tube nearly 1/4 inch long, 

bearing inside apex 10 tiny brown stamens between 

as many teeth; and pistil 3/16 inch lon 

orangered basal disk, light green roun 5 ed wi? 5- 

celled ovary, style, and broad flattened stigma. A 

few flowers have arts in 4's. 

P 

The seed capsu es are borne on long stout stalks, 

thick-walled and heavy, and the large, 5-angled 

axis remains on the tree. The numerous flat, longwinged, 

brown seeds are 33% inches long and %-I 

inch broad, about 000 to the pound. Flowers 

borne in May and June, and seeds produced generally 

in the late fall. 

The thin sapwood 1-2 inches wide is yellowish 

white. The heartwood is pinkish when freshly 

cut, later becoming light reddish brown with a 

golden luster. The wood is moderately lightweight 

(specific gravity 0.5-0.6), strong, of medium 

to fine uniform texture, with interlocked pin ancl attractive figure, and growth layers indistinct. 

It is one of the easiest woods to work and takes an 

excellent polish. Rate of air-seasoning is ra id, 

and amount of degrade very minor except w R Fn 

tension wood is present. Machining charnctenstics 

are as follows: sanding is excellent; p!aning, 

shaping, turning, boring, mort~sing, and resistance 

to screw splitting are good. The heartwood is 

resistant to decay and generally is resistant to at-

111, Caoba hondureaa, Hondurw mahogany 


Ircfetmfa macrophvlla King 

249

tack by dry-wood termites, but the sapwood is 

ver susceptible to decay and insects. From West 

1nc8es mahogany the I\-oocl differs in being more 

open-grained, liwllter in weight, and softer. 

This is one ofthe commonest roods for fsmiture 

manufacture and cabinetmaking ~n Puel-to 

Rico, being imported in large quantities from hiexico 

as rough lumber. Limited amounts of small 

logs come from local plantations also. Other uses 

mostly elsewhere include face veneer, interior 

trim, ppneling, burial caskets, interiors of boats 

and shlps, turning, musical instruments, molds, 

dies, and patternmaking. 

This species is now much more important commercially 

than West Indies mahogany, because of 

its more extensive mnge in Central and South 

America and its delayed utilization. British Honduras 

was established as a colony for the prized 

timbers of mahogany and lopood. Timber exported 

from other tropical American countries is 

often designated by the count~y of orig~n, for 

example, Brazilian mahogany. 

With straight tall trunk and few branches, this 

is n llandsome street and shade tree in tropical 

countries, also producing valuable timber. The 

bark is high in tannin content. Also reported to 

be a honey plant. 

Planted extensively in the public forests of ' 

Puerto Rico and as a shade tree in patios and 

along roadsides in Puerto Rico and St. Croix ancl 

perhaps others of the Virgin Islands. One of the 

most promising species for forestry on welldrained 

deep sods in the lower mountain and moist 

limestone regions of Puerto Rico. It withstancls 

shade, grows rnpidly, and produces a tree of good 

form. 

PURLTC ~0~~~~6.-Camb%lache, Carite, Guajataca, 

Guilarte, Luquillo, Erlaricao, Rio Abajo, 

Susiia, Toro Negro. 


RANGE.-Southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Veracruz, 

Tab:tsco, and Yncnt::ln Peninsula southward), At- 

lantic slope of Central America from British Hon- 

duras to Panama, and in Colombia, Venezuela, and 

portions of upper Amazon region in Peru, Bolivia, 

:tnd Brazil. Until about 1923 it was not known 

from the Amazon region, where a large supply of 

timber occurs in the virgin forests. Introduced 

into southern Florida, Puerto Rim and Virgin Is- 

lands, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, India, and 

other tropical areas. 

OTIIEK coJfarow N,~~\LEs.--c~o~% de Honduras 

(Puerto Rico) ; broadleaf mahogany, bigleaf mahogany, 

Central American mahogan (Virgin 

Islands) ; caobn, caobn llondurefia hpanish) ; 

chacalte (Guatemala) ; caoba americana (Colombin) 

; aguano (Peru) ; mahogany, Honduras mahogany, 

British Honduras mahogan Venezuelan 

mahognny, Peruvian mahogany, Jiazilian mal~ogany 

(United States, English, commerce) ; 

acajou Am6rique (French, commerce) ; mahogany 

Honduras (Guadeloupe, blartinique) ; acajou du 

Honduras (Guitdeloupe) . 

~~OTL~NICAIZ 

SYNONYMR.-Stoietenia candollei 

Pittier (caoba venezolana, TTenzuelan mahogany), 

8. belizensis Lundell, S. krtiAovii Glensou & Pan- 

shin, S. tessm-~nnii Harms. 

What is believed to be n natural hybrid between 

this and the following species (Swietenia macro- 

phyll. X mahagmi) is found in St. Croix. Where 

trees of the 2 species have been planted together, 

some of the seedlings are intermediate in appear- 

nnce. Tlie intermediate is known locally as me- 

diumleaf mahogany because the leaflet width is be- 

tween that of the parent species. In preliminary 

experiments the plants grow rapidly and rtppar- 

ently sho\r hybrid vigor. Also, the wood is of high 

quality like that of the second species. 

112. Caoba dominicana, Dominican mahogany, West Indies mahogany Swietenia mahagoni Jacq.* 

West Indies mahogany is commonly planted in 

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands though not 

native. This first,-discovered species of mahog- 

any, the world's premier cabinet wood, is easily 

recognized by : (1) its distinctive leaves, alternate 

and even pinnate, 4-7 inches long, bearing 4-10 

paired shiny green leaflets, orate to lance-shaped, 

1-21/2 inches long and l/2-y8 inch broad, long- 

pointed and very conspicuously unequal-sided; 

and (2) the odd, egg-shaped or pear-shaped, dark 

brown erect seed capsules 21/24 inches long and 

11h-2 inches in diameter, hard and thick-walled, 

splitting upward from the base into 5 parts and 

releasing many flat long-winged seeds. 

A medium-sized to large deciduous tree wit11 

maximum size 40-60 feet in height and 34% feet 

in trunlr diameter. The t,runk is usually short and 

has swollen or b~tt~ressed base when large, and 

reduces a spreading, much-branched crown. 

Rark on small trees is smoothish, slightly fissured, 

and gray, becoming. dark reddish brown and scaly 

on large trunks. The inner bark is pink and bitter. 

Young twigs are pale red, becoming brownish 

pay with many raised dots (lenticels). 

Leaflets are borne along n slender yellowaxis 

on slender stalks less than j/4 inch gr- ong. 

Theso leaflets have the inner or upper edge 

rounded at base but edges not toothed, are slightly 

thickened or leathery, shiny peen above a?d paler 

beneath, and have n reddish-brown midrlb. 

The flower clusters (panicles) are lateral, 2-6 

inches long, and branched. Several to many small

112. Caoba dominicana, Dominican mahogany, West Indies mahogany 


Kwietenfa maliagoni Jacq. 

251

greenish-yellow flovers, 5-parted. spreading, and West Indies mahogany was introduced into 

jh inch across, are borne on short stalks. There Pr~erto Rico t~nd the I7irgln Islands more than 200 

are 5 minute sepals, 5 whitish 07 yellotv spretlding yen13 ago. Iqi~w oltl trees recently cut near Guapetals 

lh inch long, 10 stamens ~nside a short tube yam;i 011 the south const of Puerto Rico ranged 

inch long, and pistil on a disk and composed of up to 53 inches in trunk diameter, one near Ponce 

a 5-celled ovary, style, and flattened stigma. measured 50 in~l~es, and some in St. Crois are 

The fruits are borne on long stalks, and the more tli~tn 50 inches. A number of small plantings 

large 5-angled asis remains attached. The light were nincle by Dr. Agustin Stahl near Aguadilla, 

brown seeds nre about 2-2% inches long and 1/1 Ton Altn, nnd BInnnti about 50 years ago. Ifore 

inch broacl, npprosilnntely 3,200 to a ponnd. estensive for-est, plantations have been established 

Flo~vers are borne mainly from Biarch to July on both public and private lands within the pasti 

in Pl~erto Rico, and mature fruits are present 25 yeills. This spc~es hns roven better adapted 

chiefly in the winter. 

to dry rocky sites thnn fIonduras mahognny. 

Tho sn wood is whitish or yellowish. The Trees 20 years old nenr San Germiin averaged 5 

heal-tmoo 1 is reddish, pinkish, or yellowish when inches in dituneter and 35 feet in height. The 

freshly cat, grndually turning dark rich ~~ddish abunclnnce of young trees developing beneath and 

brown. The wood is moderately hard, heavy near tthe plnntntions rnny be pa~%Iy responsible for 

(specific gl-nvity 0.7-0.8), and strong. It is very the populnr ~nisconception that the tree is native. 

rcsistnnt. to decay and to attack by dry-wood ter- Plnnted also in Bfonn, St. Crois, St. Thomas, St. 

mites. 

John, and Tortoln. 

The ~vood is used chiefly for furniture, cabinet- PURLIC m~~s~s.-Carnbn~ache, Guajataca, Gu6- 

, interior finish, and veneers, being easily nicn, Luquillo, Mnricno, Rio Aba'o, Susla. 

morke mnkil161 and taking n beautiful polish. It formerly RANQE.-.-Native in southern F I orida including 

mrls employed in sllipbuilding, construction, and 

for beams. Roots rind stumps of large trees a1.e 

I~loridn ICeys, 13nhnmas, Cuba, Jamaica, and Hisespecinlly 

rized for their irreg~~lar wavy grain. pnniola. Introduced in P~~erto Rico and Virgin 

Considere c f superior in quality and durabi!~ty to Islands, Dennuda, throughout Lesser Antilles, 

the \vood of Hondurns mahogany. T#Ile astr~~lge~lt Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuqao, south to 

bitter bark has been used in medicine. 

South America r~nd elsewhere in tropical regions, 

Planted as a street and shade tree because of the nnd nnturalized locally. 

' attractive spherical crown and dense shade. Often C~HER ~031310~ s~rir~s.--caoba, cmba de Santo 

grown in southern Florida where also native. Re- Domingo (Pnerto Hico, Spanish) ; small-leaf maported 

to be a honey plant. 

hognny, m~i hogany (Virgin Islnnds) ; caobilla 

The oldest sl~rr~ving use of mahognny by Enro- (Cuba) ; \Irest Indies mnliogany, West Indian 

)eitn rolonists is saitl tobe in the cathedrnl at mahogany, mahognny (United States, English, 

knnto Do~ningo (Ci~atl Trjilo), Dominican commerce) ; mttdiern 

Republic, completed in 1550. It contains mucll 

(Bahamas) ; Spanish macarved 

nlnllognny \vood~vork still in fine condition 

hognny (St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago) ; 

after more thnn four centuries in the tropics and 

acajou (Haiti) ; mnhognny petites feuilles 

r\ rough-hewn tilahogany cross bearing the date (Guadeloupe, Biartinique) ; mahognny, mahogany 

1514, the ear construct~on \\-:ls begun. The Do- du pays, acajou de Saint Domingue (Guade- 

~oinicnn Hepublic has selected the mahogany loupe) ; mahok (Dutch West Indies) ; mahoni 

flower for its national emblem. 

(Surinam). 


113, Tinacio, broomstick Trichilia hirta L. 

A small tree or shrub of dry nrens charncterized 

by: (1) n rounded crown of dense foliage; 

(2) alternate pinnnte leaves with 7-21 Innceshapetl 

to elliptic lenflets slightly oblique at base 

with s~~nlten reins nbove; (3) several to many 

slnall g.1-eenisli-~vllite or pale yello\v, 5-parted 

flo!vers ~ibout 3/1,; incll long and broad in branching 

cluste~~s nt lenf bnses; and (4) rounded greenishbro\vn 

seetl capsules R/g-!h inch in diameter, finely 

hairy, splitting widely ~nto 3 parts and esposing 

usually 3 o~-c~n~e-red seeds. 

Decricl~~ous, k-20 feet Iiigh with trunk .Ui inches 

in diameter, elsewhere a tree to 50 feet in height. 

The brown or gray bark is rough, fissured and 

scaly or furro\ved, nnd tile whitish inner bark is 

bitter. The twigs arc green t~nd finely hairy when 

young, becoming brownish. 

Leaves are 0-12 inches or more in length,'the 

slender round green nsis beltring leaflets on short 

later111 stallis 1/1& inch long. Leaflet blades are 

141h inclies long and l/i-lW inuhes wide, bluntly 

long- or sllort-pointed at apes, the side toward 

apes of asis bronder at the rounded or shortpointed 

bclsc, not toothed at edges, thin, above 

sliglitly shiny pen to dark p n , and beneath 

paler and often sliglltly hairy.

118. Tlnaclo, broomstick 

Two-thirds natural slze.

\ 

Tho narrow flower clusters (panicles) 1%-7 

inches long are near ends of twigs, the individual 

flower stalks about l/k inch long and jointed belom 

mic\dlp. The sliglitly frngrnnt cup-shaped to 

s~wenclinp flo\\-ers lit~ve n light pen minute 

5-Idbed ciilys less tluui '/la inch long; 5 greenishwhite 

or pale yellow oblong petals ?is inch long; 

10 stamens I/s inch long, wit11 white linlry filaments 

flattened and united io~~~arcl base* and on a yello~v 

disk the light green pistil inore than % inch long 

including routided hniry 3-celled ovnly, style, nnd 

rounded stigma. '1'110 elliptic seeds are 5/16 inch 

long, wit11 fleshy coats. Flowering and fruiting 

over most of the year. 

The snp\rood is light brown and lieart\vood red- 

dish brown \{-it11 darker veins. Tlie wood is de- 

scribed as resembling cedro (Cedt-ela) in color, 

moderntely lightwe~glit (specific pvity 0.5). 

Henrt~rood very resistant and sapwood resistant to 

attack by dry-wood termites. 

Used chiefly for posts and fuel in Puerto 

Rico. Broom handles hnvo been made from youn 

stems. In Venezuela oars or paddles (canaletes7 

\rere made from the mood, which nTns recommended 

as suitable for intsrior finish, furniture, 

implements, and ply~vood. Planted for shade and 

on~nment in southern Florida. Also a honey plant. 

Open forests in tlie limestone and constal 

(chiefly dry coast) regions of Puerta Rico. Also 

in ITieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, nnd St. John. 

MAHOGANY FAMILY (MELLACEAE) 

Pon~rc ~o~~s~s.-Canibnlaclle, Guinica, Susiia. 

R.iso~.-Cuba, Jamaica, Hispnnioln, Puerto 

Rico nnd Virgin Islands, and Grenadines and 

Gmnndn. Also from ALevico and Tres hiarias Islnnds 

to Ecuador, Peru, Brnzil, and JTenezuela. 

Intm1ucecl in southem Florida. 

OTIIER co~r;\ro~ NAXES.--~~~~O de hachn, guaita, 

retnmo, p10 de nnnstnsio (Puerto Rico) ; broom- 

\rood (\ Ir in Islands) ; jojoblin (Dominican Republic) 

; jlgabfin, cnbo de hnchn (Cuba) ; cab0 de 

liaclin, gttrbnncillo,. jumay, mapahuite (Mexico) ; 

mapaliuite, tromplllo, cedrillo, cedro colorado 

(Gnateninla) ; cedro espino (Hondurns) ; cola de 

pn\:o, jocotillo, cedrillo (El Salvador) ; mnta piojo 

(N~cnrngun) ; cnnalete, cnznbito, cedrillo, tmmpillo, 

pan de trigo (lTenezueln) ; pata de rnca (Colonibin) 

; gajigua (Ecuador) ; redcedar (British 

Hondurns) ; mombin biitsrd (Hniti) ; carrnpeta 

(Bmzil). 

BOTANIOA~ s~~o~m.-Tm'Chilia 8pondwide8 

Jncq. 

Bnrinco ( Trichilia triacantha Urbnn ) , called 

also gunynbnccin, the third representative of this 

genus, is known only from the dry southwestern 

pnrt of Puerto Rico. This sli~ub or small tree is 

onsily recognized by the spiny tips of tllo leaflets. 

Tlie pinnate leaves have .3-7 obovate or wedgesllnped 

lenflets 1/2-1% inclies long nnd %-% inch 

wide, broadest at the spiny 3-toothed apex. 

114. Gaeta Trichilia pallida Sw. 

A small tree, recognized by: (1) the alternate 

innate leaves with 3 or 5 (or 7) elliptic leaflets 

Eavieg veins sunken and prominent beneath, cnusing 

a \\-rinkled appearance, tho end leaflet largest 

and others paired and smnller toward bnse; (2) 

tlie few 4-parted spreading greenish-white flowers 

almost 1/2 incli across; and (3) the nearly round 

seed capsules S/8-1/2 incll in diameter, light brown 

nncl finely hairy, with 1-3 briglit ornnge-red seeds. 

Evergreen, commonly 15-30 feet high and 3-6 

inches in trunk dinmeter. nark on smnll trunks is 

clnrlr brown, smooth, wit11 many llorizontal clots 

and lines (lenticels), and the inner bnrlr whitish 

and bitter. The t\\.im nro light to dark brown, 

with raised dots (lenticels), hairy when young. 

The leaves are 4-9 inches long. The leaflets are 

short-stalked or almost stalkless, 11/24 inclies long 

and YL-2$5 inches broad, sliort-pointed at apex 

and bnse, edges often slightly turned down, 

sliglltly thickened, dark green or green on upper 

surfnce and paler beneath. 

The small flower clusters (like umbels) are latoral 

at bnse of leave?, 3/J-11/2 inches long and 

broad, with slender ha~ry branches. Flowers are 

finely hniry and slightly frngrant. Calyx is 

4-tootlied ; petals 4, % inch long, whitish, minutely 

Ilniry; stamens 8 on a cup-shaped stamen tube; 

rind pistil with 3- or 

stigma. The fern 

widely into 3 or 2 parts, 

1h inch long. Flowering and fruiting nearly 

througllout the year (BInrch to December). 

The wood is hard, heavy (specific gravity 0.7), 

nnd fine-textured, the snpwood whitish. Though 

seldom used because of the small dimensions, the 

wood is very resistant to attack by dry-wood 

termites. 

Usunlly an understory tree in forests of the 

lower mountain and moist limestone regions of 


PUI~LIC FORESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

SusGn, Toro Negro. 

Ra~a~.-Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. 

OTIIER COXMON NAMES.-rnmoncillo, camolillo 

(Puerto Rico) ; cnracolf, pnlo amnrgo, almendro, 

almendrillo (Dominican Re ublic) ; siguarnya 

(Cuba) ; bois urada, dom g, u, Marie-Jeanne 

(Haiti).

Two-thlrdr natural dze. 

Trfchllia pallido Sw.

115. Afaricno 

Natural slze. 

Bftreoninta cwfacea (Sw.) DO. 

257

MALPIGHIA FAMILY (MALPIGHLACEAE) 

116. Maricao cimarrdn Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) H. B. K. 

This small crooked tree or slir~~b of dry forests 

is cliamcterized by: (1) opposite, mostly elliptic 

lenres ILl/z-5 inches long and 1-2 inches broad, 

short- pointed at apes and base, leathery and with 

proniinent veins; (2) the young twigs, flower 

stalks, petioles, and very young leaves covered mith 

fine, rusty-red 1iai1-s; (3) tlie flowers 5/g-% inch 

across with 5 roundecl yello\v petnls narrowed into 

long stalks, in terminal clusters on stalks which 

curve clo\~nmnrcl ; nncl (4) tlie netirly round yellow 

fruits % inch or less in dinmeter, sour but edible. 

A small evergreen tree or shrub attaining 15-25 

feet in height and 10 inches in tritnk diameter, 

with open, wide sprending cro~vn. Tlie bulk is 

gray to dnrk brown, becoming tliick and very 

rouvli, with irlvgular large marts. The inner 

bnrk, more tlinn 36 incli tliick, is streaked with 

pink and red, and is bitter. 

The leaves, mith petioles 3/8-5/8 inch long, are 

vtlrinble in shape and size, edges not toothed, 

upper surface green, sliglitly shiny, and almost 

hairless nt mnturity, n~icl lower surface light green 

tlnd mitli larger veins lusty-red hairy or nearly 

linirless. 

Flower clusters (nrcemes) are 3-4 inches long. 

The ninny yellow flowers are borne along the erect 

rusty hairy axis on flower stallts 3/8-1/2 inch long 

and curved do\vn\rard, also rusty hairy. The 

calyx is pale yellow, rusty hairy, 3/10 incli long, 

5-lobed wit11 10 oblong glands nt base outside; the 

5 bright yello\\. petnls widely spreading, %-3/s 

i~icli long, nearly round but narrowed into long 

stalks; 10 pale yellotr stti~nens 1/8 inch long; and 

plile green pistil lh iilicll loner including 3-celled 

ovary with 3 slender styles. 'i'lle fruits (drupes) 

:ire jnic.y anil have u lnrge stone. Flowering and 

fruiting from spring to fnll. 

The reddish-bro~vn wood is harcl, heavy (specific 

gmvity 0.7), strong but brittle, and only mderntely 

durable. Considered suiteil for construction, 

though @nerally too small, and in other places 

burned for charcoal. 

The fruits are eaten rnw or cooked or prepared 

in a drink like lemonade nnd nre cons~llned by 

hogs aiicl other nniiiials, do~iiestic nnd wild. In 

Ilesico anil Centrnl America the trees a12 planted 

for tlie fruits, \\-liicli nre Inrger nncl different in appenrnnce. 

-4 liglit brown dye for cotton textiles is 

estrticted from the fruit rinil in Gnntemala. Because 

of their many golden flowers the plnnts are 

classed ns or~ia~nentals and linre been introduced 

for tliis purpose in soutliern Floriiln. Also reported 

to be honey p1:lnts. Tlie bark ]ins been employecl 

for tanning and in home re~nedies. 

This species is found chiefly in open forests of 

tlie lower Corclillen forest regions in soutli\t-estern 

n~id western Puei.to Rico. 

I'UBLIC FOREST.-SusGa. 

RAXOE.-Cuba, Hispaniola, Pr~erto Rico, St. 

hlnrtin, Dominica, Barbados, Trinidncl, and Cum- 

Cao. Also from southern AIexico to Peru, Bolivia, 

Pnr~ig~ay, Bmzil, ancl Guianas. Planted in 

so~~tllern Florida. 

In some parts of its rnnge, such ns the savannas 

of Cr~bn and the llnnos of Colombin nnd Venezuela, 

tliis tree is IL coinillon nncl clit~~ncteristic shrubby 

t ree on the grassy plains. Some authors linre distingnislieci 

varieties of tliis ~vidcly distributed species 

\vliose leaves vary iii shape, s~ze, and hairiness. 

OTHER COBIJIOX ~~ar~s.-mnricno rerde, pernlejo, 

peinlejo blanco (Puerto Rico) ; donceln 

(comnierce) ; pernlejo, niaricno (Dominican Repnblic) 

; pernlejo, pemlejo de snbnnn (Cuba) ; 

n~i~iclle, nnnce, nance agrio, chi, chnngugo (blexico) 

; nnncc, nancite (Centrnl America) ; chi, tapnl 

(Guntemnla) ; nancito, crnbo (Hondurns) ; nance 

vercle (El Salvailor) ; wilcl-cherry (Paiiamn) ; 

clirparro, clittparro rnnntecn, yuco, pernlejn, nor0 

(Colombia) ; cliapnrro manteco, chnparro de sabttna, 

manteco, mnnteco mercy, mnnero (Veneznels) 

; savnnnn seri.ette (Trinidnd) ; craboo, 

crt~poo, \\-ilcl crnboo (Iiritish Hondurns) ; huria 

(British Guiuna) ; snbana kwnri moeleidan, hori, 

snbann mango (Surinam).

Natural size. 

Byreonitnu msifolia (L.) H. B. K. 

259

117. Violeta, violet-tree 

MILKWORT FAMILY (POLYGALACEAE) 

Xntive only in Puerto Rico, violeta is \\.ell 

the beautiful masses of violet-colored 

lcnO'ra flo\re~s I? :l )ant, :)!* inch across, slightly pea-shaped, 

~rhich cover the t,rce ftvm February to March or 

April, ge~~crnlly wlle~i leafless. Other distinguislli~ig 

cllttracters nre: (1) the elliptic yellow-green 

leitvcs 2-6 iiiclles long, slightly th~ckened and 

letlthery, trill1 11 pecul~nr arrnngement of many 

net~rlg >:l~-nllel, slightly wised, thln, lateral veins; 

:lac1 (B\ fr~~it II ili~ttesetl cnpssle 11/1-11h inches 

lo~~g, \\?it h 2 ro~ultled wings, 1 large and 1 sainll. 

A small to ~netlin~n-s~zed deciduous tree 1540 

feet tall wit11 trunk 4-8 inches ill diameter, rnrely 

to 65 feet in height 1111cl to 2 feet in diameter. The 

h:lrk is saioothisll to slightly fissured, inner 

E:k ligl~t brown mtl bitter. The slender, light 

green twigs nre ulinutely hairy when young. 

The lenres :Ire cllternate on short petioles l,~~:3/s 

i11c11 long. Leaf blndes are 1-21L2 inches m~de, 

shortointed to i.ounded at both ends, slightly 

turnec ender nt edges, shiny above and dull be- 

neath. r 

The flowers np ear in profusion hen bhe trees 

11t-e lenfless or be I' ore the old leaves are shed, borne 

on slender stalks in short lateral clusters (racemes). 

Dotli c:llys and corolla are violet. There 

rlre :3 slnall sepals inch long and 2 large 

elliptic sepals (wings) $is inch long; usually 13 

uneqnnl petals nbout yia ~nch long, the centml 

petal ltecletl and enclosing the sta~nen tube, nsd 

sol~~etil~~es 2 tldditionnl petals $48 inch long; 8 

stc~i~lens 11e:lrly inch long, united into n split 

wllitisll tube; and pistil consisting of green 

Polygala cowellii (Britton) Blake 

rounded 2-celled ovary '/lo inch long and curved 

style y& inch long. 

'I%e seecl c~psule has a large curved or rounded 

wing ly,-llh inches long on 1 side and n small 

wi~ig inch long on tho other and contains 1 or 

so~~~etir~lcs 2 Iltliry seeds inch long, maturing in 

Mnrch or April. 

The yellow or light brown ~vood is hard and is 

litkle used. 

Tlio trees are worthy of cultivation as ornqmeritnls 

for tlie very sliotry flo~rers. They are evidently 

slow gro~vinq 

In forests of liillsides and arroyos, mostly in the 

soutllerti constnl region but scattered also through 

the moist limestone and lo~rer Cordillera regions 

of Puerto Rico. Rare on the limestone hills of the 

nertliern coast near Toa Baja, Vega Baja, and 

Arecibo. 

Pon~~c mnr~~.-Gu6nica. 

R~~o~.-Kno\rn only from Puerto Rico. 

OTIIER COMMON NAJIEB.-~~~~~ de violeta, palo 

de rioletn, pnlo de tortuga, tortuguero (Puerto 

Rico) ; Puerto Rican violet-tree (English). 

BOTANICAL s~~os~~r.-Ph2ebotaenia cowelzii 

Britton. 

The scientific name honors John Francis Cowell 

(185%1015), director of the Botanical Garden of 

Bufialo, New York, ~rlio aided in collecting at 

Conmo Springs tlie botanical specimens from 

which this species wns described. 

Trees nre unusunl in this genus. The 4 other 

Puerto Ricnn species are herbs.

117, Violeta, violet-tree 

Natural site. 

Polugala cowellli (Britton) Blake 

261

SPURGE FAMILY (EUPHORBIACEAE) 

Icey to the 12 spedes Illustrated (Nos. 118129) 

A. Leaves 3 or more at a node; nodes wlth rings-122. Euphorbia petiolade. 

AA. Leaves alternate; nodes without rlngs. 

B. Leaves with 3 main veins from base. 

C. Leaves wlth coarsely sat\--toothed edges nlicl 2 straight laternl veins from rounded base-118. Alchornea 

latilolfa. 

CC. Leaves with Inconsplcuouely wavy-toothed edges and 2 curved veins fro111 short-pointed basoll9. 

AlcAortteopeis portoriceneia. 

BB. Leaves with 1 main rein or mldrlb. 

D. Petlole more thnn 1 incli long; leaves in more than 2 rows. 

E. Lenves with eereral lt~ternl reins nt acute nnglw to mldrlb. 

F. I~nres short-pointed at base, tlle edges not toothed ; tiny dotlike brown wales on twlge, petioles, 

and lcnf blades. 

0. Leaves thlck and leathery, short-pointed at both ends, petiole sllvery brown-120. Croton 

poecilatrtlrtia. 

00. Leaves sliglitly thlckened, rounded or blunt-polnted at both ends, petiole usually reddish 

tinged-126. IIueronfsta cltiaioklcs. 

FF, J.eaves broad nt base, with tootl~ecl edges, without scales, mostly l~alrless. 

11. Leaves el~ort-pointed nt apex nnd rounded nt bael.34. Iiippomane nlattcit~ella. 

HH. 1.enves abnlptly lon~pointecl at apes and heart-shaped at bnse--125. Hura crepitans. 

EE. Leaves with mnny stmight, porallel Intern1 veins almost at right angles to midriG120. Sapiunr 

laurocerasus. 

DD. Petlole short, less thnn Inch long ; lenres In 2 rows. 

I. Leaves broadest beyond middle, often with a few teeth toward apex-123. Qymnantliee lucida. 

11. Leaves lbroadcst klow or nenr midcllc, wlthout teeth. 

J. I&ares mnny nlong slender clecltlrlous twigs and appearing to be plnnate, orate, 1-3 Inches long, 

on very short petioles % inch long-127. PAilllantAtis acidus.* 

JJ. Leaves severnl, not appearing to I)c plnnnte, 24 inches long, on petloles more than % inch long. 

K. Leaves widely spaced, lance-shaped, slightly thlckened, upper mrfnce slightly shiny-la. 

Drypetea glarrca. 

KK. Leaves hanging down, elliptic, thin, upper surface dull green, lower snrfnce pale whitish 

green-128. PRyllanthtie nobkliu. 

118. Achiotillo Alchornea latifolia Sw. 

A widely distributed tree distinguislied by : (1) 

reddish-brown smooth bark; (2) long-petiole8 

lnrge yellow-pen elliptic lenves wit11 conrgely 

snm-toothed edges nnd 2 prominent, long, strn~gl~t 

laternl veins at the rounded base, and short- 

pointed at apex; (3) many small greenish or 

ellom - green stalkless flowers, the mnle on 

Knclied lateral nxes nnd the female on 1111- 

brnnclied nxes of different trees (dioecious) ; and 

(4) seed capsules % inch in diameter, with 2 long 

styles, 2-seeded. 

A medium-sized evergreen sprending tree nt,- 

2-celled ovary less tlian 1/8 inch long and 2 long 

styles 1/2-3? inch long. 

Seed cn sules are nearly round but sliglitly flattenecl, 

dtlr r red \\.lien immnture but becoming dark 

bromn, the 2 long brown styles brenlring off. 

There nre 2 red, tubercled seeds incll long. 

Flowering nnd fruiting nenrly tllrougl~ the year. 

The lienrt~vood is light btwn-n, nnd the snp~vood 

sinlilnr or tvhitish. The wood is fairly soft, moderntely 

light\veigl;ht (specific gravity 0.30), moderately 

stroll for its \veight, of medium texture, 

wit11 strnig f ~t to sliglltl wavy grain, nnd ~vithout 

tnining 30-50 feet in height and 1,' feet in trunk gronytli ri~~gq. Reddis r 1-brown rndial cntinls apdiameter. 

Tlie inner bnrk is rvl~iti$ii and slightly pear on the snrft~ce as smnll Iloles. Tlie rnte of 

bitter. The bro\rn twigs, greenish and wit11 air-seasoning and nnio~~nt of degrnde nre modergroups 

of tiny stnr-shaped hairs \!-lien yotttig, linre ate. ALncliining charncteristics are ns follo\vs: 

raised nearly rouncl lenf scnrs. 

planing is good; sllnping, turning, boring, and 

Tlie alternate lenves hare petioles 1yL-21/2 inches mortis~~ig rtre poor; sanding is very poor; nncl relong 

nncl blades 11-71/2 (sometimes to 10) i~icllcs sist:i~ice to scro~v splitting is excellent. The \vood 

1011 and 21/2-41/2 inches broad, slightly thickenecl, is not durri\)le n~id is very susceptible to nttack by 

ttnt f sligl~tly shiny on upper surfnce. The base IIIIS dry-wood termites n11r1 otller insects. 

24 smnll glnnds, nnd lower surfnce hns mi~iute In Puerto Rico the wood is used for posts and 

tufts of hairs in rein angles and, \\.lien young, scat- &]el. It is suitable for k~te sticks and otlier srnnll 

tered small stnr-shaped hairs. 

bent parts, boxes, crates, toys, temporary cement 

The flower clusters (spikes) are 2-8 inches long, forms, and utility veneer. With ~~reservntive 

wit11 groups of tiny stnr-shnped hsit-s on the slen- treatment it would serve for light cnrpentry and 

der nses. Mnle flowers are few together, about l/n some types of exterior constn~ction. 

incli long nnd broad, with calyx splitting into 3 This rnpidly growing tree has been introduced 

or 4 lobes and with 8 or fewer stt~mens. Female for shade In soutllern Florida. 

flowers single or pnired nlong n drooping nxis Iinve Commonest in the mountnin forests of Puerto 

n 4-lobed calyx '/la inch long nnd pistil wit11 Rico, including the upper mountain regions, but 

P

Two-thirds natural Jze. 

dlchornea Zatlfolfa Sw. 

263

also in the moist limestone and moist coastal re- Rico, and Tortola. Also from southern Mexico to 

gions. Growing mainly in openings in the forests Panama. Planted in southern Florida. 

and along roadsides where there is plenty of light. OTHER WMMON ~am.-palo de cotom (Puerto 

Also in Tortola. Rico) ; nyacatillo Dominican Republic, Cuba 

PUBLIC FOREGTB.-Carite, Guilnrte, Luquillo, bacona, chote (Cu 6 a) ; palo mujer (Mexico 

Maricao, Rio Abajo, Toro Negro. 

cnrrethn, ca'etbn (Guatemala) cnnelito (Hon- 

MUNICIPALITIES WHERE EBPECIIILLY COMMON.- duns) ; g oc h ote, tnmbor (El kalvador) ; dove- 

1,4,5,10,19,22,23,35,43,58,58,64. wood ( amnicn) ; bois crapnud, bois vnche 

RANGE.-~u~~, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto (Haiti). 


119. Palo de gallina Alchorneopeis portoricensis Urban 

This smnll to medium-sized tree of mountain 

forests is reco ized by : (I) thinl light or yellowgreen, 

elliptic T' eaves with 3 prominent veins from 

base of blade, the midrib and 2 long and curved 

lnternl veins, short-pointed at both ends, and with 

inconspicuously wavy-toothed edges; (2) numerous 

smnll greenish or yellow-green flowers borne 

on very short stalks along slender laternl axes 1-3 

together and 1-2 inches long, male and female on 

different trees (dioecious) ; and (3) brown seed 

capsules Yi6 inch in diameter, 3-seeded. Distinished 

from achiotillo (Alchoma Zatifolia Sw.) 

6 y the smaller and narrower leaves with few lab 

ern1 veins and with less prominent teeth and by the 

smaller seed capsules with 3 short styles. 

A genernlly erect ever-peen tree 20-50 feet in 

height and to 1% feet, in trunk diameter. Bark on 

small trunks is smoothish, slightly fissured, and 

light Fay. Inner bark is brownish, with gritty 

nnd slightly bitter taste. The light brown twigs 

are finely hniry when young. 

The alternate leaves have slender petioles s/,ll/ 

inches long and blades 34% inches long an1 

1%-2% inches brond, slightly shiny. 

The flower clusters (narrow racemes) and flowers 

are minutely hniry. Male flowers 1-4 together 

have n calyx splitting into 3 or 4 lobes and have 

5-8 (usually 6) stamens. Female flowers have a 

4-lobed calyx and a pistil composed of a rounded, 

finely hniry, 3-celled ovary and 3 short styles. The 

seed capsules have 3 whitish seeds $6 inch long, 

the surface wibll irregular ridges. Flowering and 

fruiting perhaps nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is soft and whitish, and bhe hartwood 

is pale brown. The wood is moderately soft, 

lightweight (specific gravity 0.4-0,5), and perishable. 

It does not plane well. Used occnsionally 

for fuel. 

Forests of the upper and lower mountain regions 

in the eastern hnlf of Puerto Rico. A lightdemanding 

tree genernlly found in openings in the 

forest, nncl often in or beside swampy areas. 

P~IBLKC FORESTS.-~~~~~~, Luquil10, Tom Negro. 

R~~a~.-Hispanioln and Puerto Rico. 

OTHER 

minican Republic). 

COMMON NAME.-PL~O de gallina (Do-

119. Palo de galllna 


Alchorneopet8 pOftOrfc#WfU Urban 

265


120. Sabin6n Croton poecilanthus Urban 

This tree with watery Intex, confined to the eastern 

mountains of Puerto Rico, is distinguished by : 

(1) lower surface of leaves, petioles, young twigs, 

flower stalks, flowers and fruits silvery green or 

brown, being covered with tin round silverybrown 

scales; (2) the leaves e ?' liptic, thick and 

leathery, 3-7 inches long nnd 2-3 inches wide, 

short-pointed at both ends, the upper surface 

reen to dark green, and slightly shiny; and (3) 

%e many small silvery-brown male and female 

flowers almost stalkless on a terminal axis 3-7 

inches long. 

A small or medium-sized evergreen tree attaining 

20-40 feet in height and 10 inches in trunk diameter, 

with irregular spreading crown. The 

bark is smoothish and minutely fissured or warty, 

grlr or brown. Inner bt~rk is pink, slightly bitter 

wit i" 1 a burning tnste. There is a small amount of 

whitish watery or nearly trnnsparent latex. The 

leaves are alternate on petioles 3/q-2 inches long, 

the blades not toothed on edges. 

The flower clusters (racemes) have all male 

flowers, or also a few female flowers at base, or all 

female flowers (monoecious). Male flowers % 

inch long and broad have a p y - p n scaly calyx 

with 3 or 4 de8p lobes s/16 inch long, 5 whitis11 

scaly petals 3J16 Inch long, and about 20 whitish 

spreading stamens. Female flowers about the 

snme size have a cup-shaped, p -green, scaly 

calyx %e inch long including the 5 s i! ort lobes, and 

pistil with gray- en, scaly, 3-celled ovaq and 3 

urge whitish sty T" es, deeply forked and appearing 

cis 6, afterwards turning black and remaining attnched 

to fruit. 

The seed ca~~sules are nearly round but longer 

thnn brod, sllghtly 3-angled, about 1/2 inch long. 

At. ~nnturity tlie capsule separntes into 3 brown 

ptirts, ench falling from the axis and splitting open 

to release a brown seed % inch long. Flolvering 

ril~d fruiting nearly throughout the year. 

The snpaood is xvhitish, and the henrtwood is 

light yellolv. The wood is ~~ioderntely hard and 

~noderntely heavy (specific gravity 0.6). It is 

used only for posts and fuel. 

An understory tree in tlie upper Luquillo forest 

I-egion and extending down the slopes into swampy 

ctrens and along stream courses in Ohe upper portion 

of the lower Luquillo region of Puerto Rico. 

PU~LIC FOI~E~T.-LU~U~~~O. 

R,\~a~.-I

Natural size. 

Croton poccilatithua Urban 

267


121. Varital Drypete8 glauca Vahl 

h smtill to medinm-sized understory tree char- with hairy 1-celled ovary and broad stipa. The 

acterized by: 1) smooth whitish or light gray fniits (drupes) are finely hairy or hairless and 

bark ; (2) broa 6 ly lance-shaped, dark pen leaves, 1-seeded. - -- Flowering md fruiting from spring to 

:3M-6 inches long and 1%-2 inches broad, abru tly fall. 

long- or short-pointed, usually widely spaceJ in The sal>wood is whitish and hard. The wood is 

2 rows on harizontnl or slightly drooping tw~gs; used for chnrconl and posts ttnd in the Lesser 

(3) small reenish flowers about 9/ra inch across :tntilles for construction. 

and I/a inc f 1 Iiigh, 1 to several at base of leaves, Widel distributed in the lower mountain rethe 

male nnd female flowers on different trees gions o ? P~ierto Rico. Also reported long ngo 

(dioecious) ; nnd (4) whitish elliptic fleshy fru~b from St. Croix. 

5/g inch long, borne nlong the branches at base PUBLIC mnr~~s.-Cnrite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

of lenves. 

Maricno, Toro Nep. 

,111 evergveen tree commonly 10-30 feet high RANOE.-Hispaniola, Puerto Rim, and Lesser 

and to 6 i~lclles in trunk diameter, with sprdn Antilles from St. Ritts to St. Vincent. (Reported 

brnnches, reported to m h larger size. The bar f nlso from Jamaica, perhaps in error.) 

lins small wnrts (lenticsls). The innar bark is OTIIER COBfMON NAB~w.-~~~o blanco, d? 

light brown or ornnge and sli~htly bitter. Young tlceituna, cafeillo (Puerto Rim) ; bois ca e cafe 

t1vit.s are green, minutely hairy, becoming gray. pnd bois (Gundeloupe) . 

file alterrurte leaves have petioles %-s/4 inch Three additional s sies of this genus are trees 

lor~g and bltides often oblique at base, a little or shrubs. Hueso ( 5 rypetes &a Poit), known 

tliickened, not toothed on edges, slightly shiny also as palo de vnca and cafefllo, has smaller ellip- 

011 up ler surfnce, and paler beneath. 

tic whitish fruits less than s/g inch long. Cuerillln 

I e flo\vers on short, hairy stalks less than j/4 duro or Guinnaplum (D. Zaten'flm Sw.) Krug & 

inch long have 4 5 yellow-green, minutely hairy, Urban), native also as far as sout I ern Florida, 

sepals, 6-8 spreading stamens, and a has rounded dark brown fruits I/+ inch long. 

broad spredinft lo ed disk. Female flowers are single or Encinilla (D. iZicifoZia Krug & Qsban), known 

pnired on short hair stalks about 5.8 inch lon only from northern Puerto R~co, has spiny toothed 

with 4 greenish, slig t tly hairy sepals and pisti 5' oblong leaves and elliptic fruits about s/4 inch long.

Natural size. 

D~ypetecr glauca Vahl 

269


122. Rascaso Euphorbia petiolarie Sims 

A poisorlous shrub or small tree of dry and ]/lo inch long. The female flower is a single light 

coastal nrens with very toxic and caustic whitish green pistil with stalked 8-angled %-celled ovary 

latex irritating to the ski11 and easily recognized and 3 spreading 2-forked styles. 

by: (1) shiny brown bark peelin off in papery The smootll3-angled cnpsule splits into 3 keeled 

layers and very thin; (2) jointed twigs bearing parts, each contain~np 1 egg-sha ed white seed l/s 

3-8 lenves at the swollen nodes; (3) slender peti- incll long, pointed and pitted. ollected in flower 

oles mostly longor thnn the blades; (4) smnll, in August, nnd December. 

ovate or rounded, thin, green leaf blades about 

%-% inch long and broad but slightly wider than 

long, rounded or minutely notched at apex and 

nenrly stmight or rounded at bnse. The plants 

should be known in order to be avoided. 

Deciduous and usually growing to 20 feet tall 

nnd 24 inches in trunk diameter. The light brown 

inner bark, though almost tasteless, contains latsx 

which is very irritating to the mouth. 

light green when young, becoming gray Tn'3? an then 

dark reddish brown. 

Pet>ioles are inch long, reddish tinged, with 

glandulnr scales (stipules) at bnse. The blades 

have widely spreadin lateral veins, are not toothed 

on edges, and are pale 5, eneath. 

The inconspic~~or~s minute male and female flowers 

both on the same plant (monoecious) are borne 

in a stalked green hemispheric cup (involucre) 1/8 

inch long, which has 5 yellowish petallike lobes 

each with a gland at base. The many male flowers 

within cons~st of a single yellow stamen less thnn 

8 

The \vood is little used bemuse of the small size 

of the tree nnd the poisonous or caustic latex. 

Common in thickets in the dry coastal and dry 

limestono regions of enstern, southern, and southwestern 

Puerto Rico. Also in Mona, Culebrn, 

Vieqnes, St. Croix (I), St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, 

Virgin Gorda, and Anebmda. 

Pmuc FOREST.-Guhnicn. 

RANOE.-South Caicos Isln~~d in Bahamas, Hispaniola, 

Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, St. Martin, 

Martinique, and Qundeloupe, and Margarita 

(Venezuela). 

OTHER COMBION ~,\r+~m.--indio desnudo (Puerto 

Rico) ; broadlenf spurge (Bahamas) ; palo de 

leche, pnlo de yucn (Dominican Republic) ; bon 

gnrqon (Hniti) ; black ma eniel (St. Martin). 

BOTANICAL sunonyn.-~%7ema petio~a~e ( Sims) 

Millsp. 

Th~s is the only native tree species of its genus. 

About 20 related nntive specles are herbs and 

shn~bs, sometimes plnced in segregate genera.

Natural site. 

Etcphorbla petiolaria Sims 

271


123. Yaiti, oysterwood Gymnanthes lucida Sw. 

This poisonous small tree or shrub is chamterized 

b : (1) poisonous milky juice which may irritate 

t E e skin; (2) slightly thickened stiff shiny 

leaves reverse lance-shaped (oblancsolate) to nearly 

spoon-sha ed (spatulate), broadest beyond 

middle, roun 5 ed or blunt-pointed at apex and 

tapering and long-pointed at base, often with a 

few small teeth toward the apex; (3) scaly or 

flaky bark on older trees ; and (4) small yellowishgreen 

lateral flowers, the male numerous along an 

axis (narrow raceme) 1/2-1 inch or more in length 

and usually 1 female flower at the base (monoecious) 

. 

An evergreen tree becoming 30 feet high and 8 

inches in trunk diameter, wlth a narrow crown. 

The bark is gray or brown, smoothish on young 

trees with man thin fissures. Inner bark is light 

brown and slivttly bitter. The gray twigs, .green 

when young, %ave man raised dots (lentimls). 

T 

The alternate leaves lave petioles 5/4-1/2 inch 

long and leathery blades 11h-31/ inches long and 

lh-l5/4 inches broad, green to Jark green above 

and paler beneath. The edges are slightly turned 

under, and veins are slightly raised in a prominent 

network on the upper surface. 

The crowded male flowers are borne 3 above a 

scale (bract) on the axis, each minute (less than 

'/sa inch long and broad) and conistin of a 

smaller scale and 2-4 stamens. They are aintly 

fragrant and attract bees. There is 1 female 

flower (or none or sometimes 2) x6 inch long at 

base of flower cluster, on a stalk y8 inch long which 

lengtl~ens greatly in fruit, and consisting of 3 

scales aiid $1 pistil composed of greenish 3-celled 

ovary and 3 styles. 

Rro\vn seed capsules, borne on slender stalks 

5 

1-2 inches long, are rounded but slightly %lobed 

and broader than long about s/8 inch in diameter. 

There are 3 or fewer bmrvn seed? s/,, inch long. 

Flowering and fruiting from sprlng to fall. 

The sap\vood is whitish or yellowish. The heart- 

\~~oocl is light olive,. streaked with dark brown. 

The wood is very fine-grained, very hard, very 

heavy (specific gravity 1.1), takes a fine polish, 

ttnd IS durable. 

Used in Puerto Rico for fenceposts, the gener- 

ally small size limiting its values. The mood 

has been made into various small novelties, includ- 

in canes, handles, backs of brushes and mirrors, 

an 5 ornamental articles shaped by woodturning. 

The white latex is reported to produce infIam- 

mation of the skin upon contact. It is said that 

smoke from burnin wood is irritating to the eyes. . 

Forests and thic f ets in both limestone regions 

of Puerto Rico. .4lso in Mona, Desecheo Icacos, 

Culebra, Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, dt. John, 

and Virgin Gorda. 

PUBLIC I-'OREST~.-Cnmbalache, Guajataca, 

Gulinictr. 

MUNICIPALITY WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.^. 

RANGE.-Southern Florida includin Florida 

ICeys, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, an d northern 

Lesser Antilles from St. Eustatius to Antigua and 

Guadeloupe. Also in southeastern Mexico 

(Yucattin), Guntemala, and British Honduras. 

OTIIER conrarox ~anr~s.-rarn6n, +baco (Puerto 

Rico) ; tabac

Natural size. 

Wmmanthes Zuoido Sw. 

273


124. Manzanillo, manchineel Hippomane mancfnella L. 

The deadly manznnillo or manchineel is the most 

poisonous tree of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands 

and ranks among the most famous poisonous 

plants in tropical America. The attmct~ve pnlatable 

fruits cause serious illness or even death ~vhen 

eaten, and the milky sap is injurious both externall 

and internally. Growing along nnd near 

san 2' y seashore or sometimes inland, this tree is 

characterized by : (1) irritating millg sip in the 

lenves, twigs, and bark; (2) round, yellow-green 

or yellolvish fruits, tinged wit11 red, 1-1% inches 

in diameter, resembling small apples or guavas 

(guayabas) but very toxic, often littering the 

beaches; and (3 tho long-stalked, shiny, leathe~y, 

yel10~--green, e 1 liptic leaves with minute wavy 

teeth on edp, the sides bent upward slightly at 

the yellow~sh midrib, and with a raised dot 

(gland) at base of midrib. 

An evergreen tree to 40 feet in height and 2 

feet in diameter, usually smaller, with nyidely 

forking branches and broad spreading crown. 

The bark is dark brown or gray, scal or fissured 

or wit11 warts, as much as 1/2 inch t K ick. Inner 

bark is light brown or whitish with bitter Insting 

irr~tnting taste nncl with poisonous white sap or 

latex. Twigs are peen 11-hen young, becoming 

brownish py, and smooth. 

The alternate leaves have round yellow-green 

petioles 1%-2 inches long. The laf blades are 

24 inches long and 1%-2% inches wide, shortpointed, 

rounded at base, shiny on upper surface 

and dull and paler beneath. 

Tlie inconspicuous greenish male and female 

flowers are borne stalkless along n glandular 

greenis11 terminal axis (spike) 2-4 inches long 

(monoecious). Male flowers are in groups of 6- 

15 each, about I/ls inch long, composed of calyx 

with 2. or 3 lobes and 2 or 3 stamens. Female 

flowers, 1, 2, or none at base of same nxis, about 

inch long and broad, consist of 3-lobed calyx 

and pistil wit11 6-8-celled ovary and 6-8 curved 

short brown styles. 

The stalkless fruits (clrupes), single or pnirecl 

I>nt produced in quantities, appear lateral after 

forlcing and continued growth of twigs beyond. 

The sweet-scented fruit has a sunlten spot at end 

and greenish-white mellow flesh which is palatable 

nncl not irritating to the taste tholigh very toxic. 

A hard stone encloses 6-8 dark brown seeds % 

inch long. Flowering from spring to October, the 

fruits maturing almost ayear later. 

The sapwood is light brown or yellowish, and 

the heart\\-ood dark brown. The mood is fairly 

hard, mediuin~veight (specific gravity 0.5), and 

strong, taking a good polish. Though reportecl to 

be durable, it is very susceptible to nttaclr by drywood 

termites. The wood has been employed for 

furniture, cabinetwork, interior finish, and con- 

274 

struction. Though the poisono~~s sap adds diffirl~lties 

to logging and han

1%. bIanznnillo, manchineel 

Natural slze. 

Hfppomanc manohella L. 

275

Icacoq Culebra, Vie ues, St. Croix, St. John, St. 

Thomas, and Virgin 8 orda. 

PU~LIC ~~o~m~.--Guinica. 

RAXGE.-Chiefly alon shores in southern Floridn 

including Florida I e eys and throughout West 

Indies from Bahamas and Cuba to Trinidad and 

Tobago and in Bonah, Curwao, and Aruba. 

Also Atlantic nnd Pacific coasts of Mexico and 

Central America to Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. 

On Revillagigedo, Galapagos, and other 

islands. 

OTHF~~ CO~LMON ~~~m.-poison-guava, manchioneel 

(Virgin Islands) ; manzanillo (Spanish, 

commerce) ; mnnzanillo de costa, pinipiniche 

(French) ; maximilier 

maqeniel, 

Indies). 


The English name manchineel is a corruption of 

the Spanish word manznnilla (little apple), from 

which the Latin scientific name also is derived. 

This genus has only one species. 

Symptoms and treatment of manzanillo or man- 

chineel poisoning in the Grenadines have been 

summarized by Richard A. Howard1 as follows: 

"Serious nausea and dlarrhea are usually followed by 

shock and by an appalling muscular weakness. Sloughing 

on of mucous membranes occurs within a day or two if 

even a small quantity of the fruit is eaten. The juice of 

the tree or the fruit in the eye will cause violent conjunc- 

tivitis and usually temporary blindness. 

considered the best antidote for thls poison 

clines. A suspension of arrowroot starch is given in lib- 

eral doses when the fruit has been eaten and poultices of 

arrowroot starch are applied to external burns from the 

juice of the manchineel." 

Howard, Richard A. The vegetation of the Grenadines, 

I\'indward Islands, British West Indies. Harvard Univ. 

Gray Herbarlum Contrib. 174, 129 pp., illus. 1052. 

125. MoIinillo, sandbox, hura Hura crepitans L. 

This handsome large tree, with sap and seeds are single and lateral near ends of twigs, on stout 

both poisonous, planted along highways and in stalks 1/2-1 inch long, and include a cup-shaped 

pastures and wild, is recognized by: (1) a globu- cnlyx 1/5 inch long and broad and a pistil, the 

lar crown of dense foliage; (2) the trunks and of about 15 cells inside the calyx, n long 

bmnches usually with many blackish spines tubu Ova?' nr style sh-llh inches long, and a prominent 

inch long on the smoothish light brown bark; (3) enlarged nnd flattened stigma 1/2-1% inches across, 

hmrt-shaped lenves with blades curved up at the including about 15 narrow lobes. 

midrib, 5-8 inches long and 4-5 inches broad, The seed capsule is flattened and sunken in the 

abruptly long-pointed, with or without teeth on center. When dry it splits and explodes violently 

edges, and with lonm round pen petioles about with a loud noise, scattering the hard 1-seeded 

ns long ns the blaxes; (4) copious watery or sections at a distance. The brown seeds are 

sli~htly whitish latex, which is very irritating nnd rounded and flattened, %-I inch long and broad. 

poisonous; nnd (5) the lnrp dnrk brown seed Flowering from winter to summer, the fruit macapsule 

2%-3% inches in dlameter and lj/q-1?L2 turing in spring and summer. 

inches high, grooved into about 15 sections. 

The snpmood is whitish to light yellow, and the 

Deciduous or nearly so, to 80 feet in height, with henrtwood is pale yellowish brown, pale olive gray, 

straight trunk 2-4 feet or more in diameter. The or dnrk brown. The wood is moderately soft, modthick 

bark forms a sheath around the base of each erately lightweight (specific gravity 0.38), britt!e, 

spine. Inner bark is light brown, irritating to the fine-textured and often with interlocked gram. 

taste. 

Air-seasoning is rapid but moderately difficult 

The leaves are alternate on the stout p n to with warping. The wood is very susce tible to atbrown 

twigs. Blades nre slightly thickened, dnrk tack by dry-wood termites nnd varia 6 le in durgreen 

and slightly shiny above and paler beneath, ability. 

In n variation hairy, especially on the veins be- In Puerto Rico the wood is used chiefly for 

neath. 

fenceposts and fuel. Elsewhere it is used for gen- 

Male and femnle flowers are borne on the snme eral carpentry, interior construction, boxes, crates, 

tree (monoecious), the former numerous in n ter- veneer, ply\rood, furniture, joinery. and poles. 

minal crowded cluster (s ike) 1-2 inches long and Formerly, dugout canoes were hollowed from 

inch in diameter at t k' e end of a slender green large trunks. 

stalk 2v2-4 inches long and resembling a short enr The caustic, poisonous latex causes inflammation 

of corn. Individual male flowers are s/lo inch long or eruption upon contact yith the skin of some 

and 4/8 inch broad, dark red, consisting of a cup- persons and is very irritatmg to the eyes, reportlike 

calyx and 8-20 stnmens in 2 or 3 rings on $he edly causing temporary blindness. It mnkes the 

central column. Female flowers, also dark red, tree unpopular with wood cutters. The juice has 

276

TWD-thirds natural Are.

een used to stupefy fish. The seeds are toxic to 

humans and livestock and have been employed in 

poisoning animals and in medicine, but such use is 

dangerous. Tl711en exploding, the mature seed cap- 

sules may injure or frighten persons and livestock. 

In some tropical areas, including southern Flor- 

ida, the trees are planted for shade. However, the 

oisonous sap makes the trees objectionable around 

[ouses. Young trees prow rapidly but require 

plenty of light. Windstorms damage the trees. 

Common as a roadside shade tree and living 

fence along the moist coast of Pnerto Rico, mostly 

east of San Juan. Occasionally else\rhere on the 

island, planted and wild. Through the Virgin 

Islands scattered in moist forests and pastures ancl 

planted along fence rows and for shade. St. 


RANGE.-Through 71Test Indies from Cuba and 

Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago and on the con- 

tinent from Costa Rica south to Peru, Bolivia, 

Brazil, and Guianas. Planted also in soutl~ern 

Florida and southern California, Bahamas, and 

Dutch West Indies. Cultivated and occasionally 

naturalized in Old World tropics. 

OTHER COXEMON xanr~s.-javilla (Pucrto Rico) ; 


monkey-pistol (Virgin Islands) ; habillo, habilla, 

jabillo, jabilla (Spanish) ; salvadera, haba 

(Cuba) ; tronador, nune (Panama) ; ceibo amarillo, 

ceiba de Ieche, acuapar, tronador, castaiieto 

(Colombia) ; ceiba, ceiba blanca, ceiba liabillo 

(Venezuela) ; catahua (Peru) ; ochol16 (Bolivia) ; 

Ilura (commerce) ; hura, hura-wood, possumwood, 

sandbox, sandbox-tree (United States, English) ; 

monkey-pistol, possumtree (English) ; monkey 

dinner-bell (British Guiana) ; sablier (French) ; 

arbre au diable (Haiti) ; bois du diable (Biartinique) 

; zandltokerboom, sandbox-tree (Dutch 

West Inclies) ; possentrie (Surinam) ; assac6 

(Brazil, commerce) ; catiLuS, areeiro (Brazil). 

The English name sandbox and French name 

sablier refer to the early use of the hollowed out 

shell of immature seed capsules to hold sand, employed 

in blotting ink before blotters came into 

use. Paper weights have been made by filling the 

cttpsules n~ith lend, but the capsules may come 

apart on drying. 

A closely related species of jabillo (Burn polyand?-a 

Baill.), differing in the white male flowers 

with more numerous stamens in a column 3/8-5/8 

inch long, is native from Bfesico to Costa Rica. 

126. Cedro macho Hyeronima clusioides (TuI.) Muell.-Arg. 

This medium-sized tree limited to Puerto Rico 

is characterized by: (1) a very unifarm, dense, 

bright green crown, pyramidal on young trees; 

(2) twigs, petioles,%ranches of flower clusters, and 

flowers coverecl with tiny dotlike hrown scales, 

which are less conspicuous on both leaf surfaces; 

(3) the elliptic leaves blunt-pointed or rounded at 

both ends with wavy and often recurved edges, 

slightly jointed and bent where the blade is attached 

to the usually reddish-tinged petiole; and 

(4) numerous minute yellowish-green flowers less 

thnn 1/8 incl~ long in Intern1 branched clusters, 

male and female on different trees (dioecious). 

Evergreen tree to 70 feet in height and 3 feet 

or more in trunk diameter. The bark varies from 

scaly to fissured and rough, from -my to dark 

brown, and becomes more tllnn 1/4 inch thick. 

Inner bark is brown or recldish and slightly bitter. 

Twigs are light brown. 

The leaves are alternate on petioles %-I% 

inches long and have slightly thickened blacles 

21/24 inches long and 1%-3 inches broad. The 

upper surface is green and slightly shiny, and the 

lower surface paler and with midrib often hairy. 

Flower clusters (panicles) 1-4 inches long bear 

flowers almost stalkless along the branches. Male 

flowers have a cup-shaped, 3-5-toothed scaly calyx, 

a 11niry disk, and 3-5, usually 5, spreading stnmens. 

Female flowers have a cup-shapecl scaly 

calyx and a pistil with 2-celled ovary and 2 or 3 

%forked styles. The nearly round fruits are less 

than I/g inch long, reddish to blackish, slightly 

fleshy, and 1-seeded. Flowering mainIy in summer 

:ulcl fall and in fruit from late summer to winter. 

The sap~~oocl is light brown, the heartwood rich 

reclclish bro\vn. The wood is hard, heavy (specific 

gravity 0.8), finishes well, and takes a good polish. 

It is susce tible to attack by dry-\~oocl termites. 

The \vood 7 as been employed both for furniture 

and constr~~ct,ion. It is considered heavy for the 

former use but is very attractive. 

Distributed in Puei-to Rico chiefly in the moist 

li~nestone and western lower Cordillera regions. 

Puruac FORI.:STS.-Cambalache, Cnrite, Guajatacn, 

Guilarte, llaricao, Rio Abajo, Toro Negro. 

RANGE.-I

1W. Cedro macho 


Hyeronima ctuafofdce (Tul.) Muell.-Arg.


127. Grosella, Otaheite gooseberry-tree Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels* 

A small tree cultivated for its edible sour fruits. 

It is distin uished by: (1) the light ellow juicy 

berries 3/-/8 f inch in diameter, somew 1 lat rounded 

but broader than long and slightly 8- or 6-angled, 

suggesting a diminutive squash, hanging down in 

clusters from the branches* (2) the simple leaves 

alternate in 2 rows along dender deciduous twigs 

and appearing to be innate, ovate, 1-3 inches long 

and %-I% inches Lad, short-pointed at apex 

and rounded at base, on short petioles 4/8 inch long; 

(3) stout twigs rough from rounded raised twig 

scars; and (4) flowers minute and reddish or pink, 

4-parted and 1/8-s/16 inch across, usually clustered 

along slender axes back of leaves. 

A yrendin deciduous tree attaining 20-30 feet 

in height an d 6 inches in trunk diameter. The 

reenish-gray bnrk is fissured and slightly scnly. 

kner bark is pink and almost tasteless. The cons 

icuous persistent twigs are 4/2 inch or more in 

&&meter, brownish gray, green and slender at 

apex. 

The leaves hang down from or pinkishtinged 

twigs 6-12 inches long w ich appear to be 

axes of pinnate leaves and which shed from the 

like leaves. Blades are thin, green and 

slightly stout twi?s s my above, and benenth pale blue green 

with a bloom. At base of each leaf are 2 minute 

pointed scales (stipules) . 

Flowers are borne mostly on slender leafless axes 

(panicles) 2-5 inches long, severnl clustered together 

on short stalks. Male and female flowers 

are mixed in the same clusters (monoecious) and 

have 4 spreading calyx lobes about '/la inch long 

but lack petals. There are 4 stamens also in male 

flowers, and in female flowers a pistil with 4- or 

3-celled ovary and 4 or 3 st les. 

Fruits hang down in c T usters, several along a 

slender drooping axis. The fruit contains a 

brownish stone with few seeds. Flowering and 

fruitinp nearly through the year, fruiting chiefly 

in April and August. 

The henrtwood is reddish brown, moderately 

hardl fine- mined, of medium weight (specific 

gravit 0.6f strong, to~~gh, and fibrous. It is snid 

to be B urnble and to take a ood polish but, seldom 

being available, is little usef 

Widely planted in tropical regions for the juicy 

sour fruits, which can be eaten raw but usually 

are made into jelly, preserves, candy, and pickles. 

The root and seed have been used in medicines. 

Introduced into the West Indies in 1703. 

Cultivated and also spreading along roadsides 

and waste places, chiefly in the coastal regions of 

Puerto Rico. Also in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. 

John, and Tortola. 

RANGE.-Native of tropical Asia and perhaps 

also East Indies but extensively introduced and 

spontaneous and sometimes naturalized in tropical 

regions. Southern Florida, through West Indies 

from Bahamas and Cuba to Trinidad, Mexico, 

Central America, and South America. 

OTHER 

CoBxnxoN NAI~ES.--C~~~Z~ 

amarilla, cerezo 

agrio, grosella blancn (Puerto Rico) ; grosella 

(Spanish) ;.guinda, pimienta (El Salvador) ; p- 

sella de Nicaragua (Nicnragua) ; cerezo agrio, 

cerezn (Venezuela) ; Otaheite gooseberry-tree, 

Otaheite-gooseberry, star-gooseberry , West-Indian-gooseberry, 

gooseberry-tree, jjmbling (United 

States, English) ; wild-plum (British Honduras) ; 

wild gooseberry (British Guiana) ; sybilline 

(Haiti) ; surelle (St. BarthOlemy) ; pomme surelle 

(Guadeloupe) ; gooseberry (Dutch West Indies) ; 

goesberie (Surinam) ; roselle (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL ~~~o#~~x8.-PhyZZantItrn distiihu~ 

(L.) Muel1.-Arg., Cicca disticha L., C. acida (L.) 

Merr. 

This species is botanically unrelated to the true 

gooseberry, which is a prickly bush (Ribee grosm- 

7nria L., family Saxifragmeae) grown in temperate 

regions and having fruits with similar 

flavor. 

The genus sometimes divided into several, is 

represented also by 2 native tree species, 1 of which 

is illustrnted here, and by 6 species of herbs and 

shrubs. Jagiierillo (PhyZZanthzis juglandifoldus 

7Villd.; synonyms P. grandifolius auth., not L., 

-4etcrnndra gradifolia auth.), known also as tobillo 

and gnmo de costa, is n small tree with larger 

oblong or lance-shaped leaves 2-6 inches long.

127. Qrosella. Otaheite gooseberry-tree 

Two-thirds natural dze. 

Phvllanthua addue (L.) Skeela 

281

128. Mil10 

SPURGE FAMILY (EUPHORBLACEAE) 

Phyllanthus nobilk (L, f,) Muell,-Arg. 

Millo is a small treo distinguished by : (1) dark l'lle light brown snpmood is hard. Heartwood 

brown twigs with numerolls conspicuous, raised, is b~.ownish, sometimes pinkish and hetlvy (spelight 

brown, warty dots (lentkels), the alternate cific gravity 0.9). The nvood is used only for posts 

leaves hanging down in 2 rows; (2) thin namxvly and fuel. 

elliptic leaves 2-5 inches long and inches \\Tidely distributed in tllickets and the underbroad, 

short- or long-pointed nt both ends, nbore story of forests in the const:ll, moist limestone, nnd 

dull green or dark pen nnd bellenth pale ~\-hitish lower ~nountnin regions of Puerto Rico. Also in 

reen; (3) tin 4-parted green flo\t-ers, male ancl St. Tllomns, St. John, nncl Tortoln, and recorded 

female on di 2 erent trees (dioecious) in laternl 

from St. Croix. 

clusters scattered along the twin; and (4) greenish 

seed capsules Ko inch in &&meter, rounded 

Po~,r.rc FORESTS.-Camb:llnche, Gun jntncn, Lubut 

bronder dlnn long, with 5 or 4 peculiar narrow ql~illo, Sus6a. 

2-forked styles remaining flnt,tenecl on apes, RANOE.-\Videly clistril~uted in tropicnl Amerslightly 

fleshy but splitting into 5 or 4 dark blue icn. Tllrougll IlTest Indies in Cuba, Jnmaica, Hissegments, 

each 2-seeclecl. 

pnnioln, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islnnds, Lesser 

A deciduous tree 25-40 feet lligll and to 8 inches ilntilles from Saba to Grenada, nnd Trinidad. 

in trunk diameter, with iregulnr spreading crown. Also f~-om Mexico to Ecuador, Per11, Brazil, Gui- 

The bark is light ply, smoothish but becoming nnns, ~ ~nd T7enezuela. 

slightly fissured and scaly, esposing the bmn 

bark beneath. Inner bnrk is pinkish and slightly 

OTI~ER colrlros x,\B~Fs.-nmortig~ndo, palo de 

bitter. 

nill lo, higuillo, arispillo, siete-cueros, yuquillo 

The leaves have short. thin petioles 1/8-% inch ( Pnert o Rico) ; false gooseberry (Virgin Islands) ; 

long and at base a pair of pointed scales (stipules) pnlo nmnrgo (Dominican Republic) ; p~aicnje, 

'/la Inch long. 

aznlejo, Ilor6n (Cuba) ; nistnn~nl (El Snlmdor) ; 

The male flonre~s less tllnn 1/8 incll ncross nre cnrillo (Nicaragua) ; pintlurero, ynyo (Colombia) ; 

borne on thmdliko stnllts nbont 3/16 inch long, gunratnro (Venezuela) ; chaq~~irillo (Ecuador) ; 

man clustered topther nt n node, consisting of 4 ucnriviro (Peru) ; bastard hog-bo17.y (Jamaica) ; 

sepa 9 s less than 1/16 inch long nnd 4 stamens of the clarnber~~y, ramon mncho (British Hondurns) ; 

same len h. The smnll but lnrger female flowers ~nille brnnches, bois diable, ticomnt biitnrd (Guadehave 

sta if s 4/4-% inch long, cnlyx nearly s/lo inch lonpc) ; gooseberry (Dutch \Vest Indies) ; boskofacross 

the 4 lobes which are t.urnd do~rnward, 

and pistil of rounded 5- or 4-celled ova 

fia (Surinam). 

in d~ameter with 5 or 4 styles united at ? m, '/lo bent inch I3o.r~srcar. srsosnrs.-Nargaritarin nobizis 

downward, each with 2-forked stigma. The brown 1,. f., Af. nobili~ var. nntillann (A. Juss.) Stehl6 & 

seeds are y8 inch long. Flowering and fruiting Quelltin, PI~yllanfhus (tntillanzt.~ (A. Juss.) 

nearly through the year, chiefly in the spring and Muell.-Arg., P. nobili~ var. antillanus (A. Juss.) 

early summer. Often flowering when leafless. Jiuoll.-Arg.

Natural dze. 

Phyllanthua nobilk (L. f.) Muell.-A=. 

283


129. Tabaiba 

A medium-sized oisonous tree of moist forests 

confined .to Puerto fl ico, easily recognized by : (1) 

abundant irritating and poisonous milky juice; 

(2) the oblong or elliptic dark green laves, 

slightly thickened and shiny, with man straight 

parallel lateral veins almost at right ang r es to midrib 

and 2 raised dotlike glands at upper end of 

petiole; and (3) t~he small yello~rish-green flowers 

stalkless on narrow lateral axes 3/q-2 inches long, 

mostly male with 1 or a few female flowers ohn pmsent at base (monoecious). 

An everpn tree 20-60 feet high and to 2 feet 

in trunk diameter,, with a columnar crown. The 

light brown bark 1s smoothish or slightly fissured 

and thin. Inner bark is whitishr its thick white 

latex causin a lingerinp irritation in the mouth 

when tastecf The. twigs are green, becoming 

brown or gray. 

The altarnab leaves have en petioles 

inches long and blades most Y- y 2%-6 inches long 

and llh-2% inches broad, sometimes to 8 inches 

long and 2% inches wide. They are abruptly 

short-pointed at apex and short-pointed or 

rounded at base, hely and inconspicuously 

toothed or almost without teeth, paler and slightly 

shiny on lower surface. 

Near the ends of twip are located the green 

flower clusters (spikes). Male flowers, in pups ~f 8-9 above a broad rounded scale, are about xe hich long and broad, yellow green, and consist of 

a cup-shaped 2-toothed calyx and 2 stamens. Female 

flowers when present at base of axis are 

bone singly and am long and narrow, 4/8-?/ls inuh 

long, greenl composed of a cup-sha ed 8-lobed 

calyx and plstil with ovary and 3 sty P es. 

The 4 capsules are nearly round or slightly 

3-angled, about s/8 inch in diameter, peen, turning 

Sapiurn laurocerasus Desf. 

brown, sli htly fleshy but becoming dry,. with 3 

white see d s about l/q inch long. Flowmng and 

fruiting from spring to fall. 

The sapwood is whitish, and the heartwood li ht 

brown or light yellow. The wood is soft, lig 1 t- 

weight (specific gravity 0.38), mostly fine-textured 

except for many large pores, with pain frequently 

tightly interlocked, and without visible 

growth rings. Rate of air-seasoning and amount 

of degrade are moderate. Machining characteristics 

are as follows : planing is excellent ; shaping 

and turning are fair; boring a d mortising are 

poor; sanding is ve poor; nnd resistance to screw 

splitting is pod. !&e wood is very susceptible to 

attack by dry-wood termites and other insects and 

to decay. Sap-staining fun@ discolor freshly cut 

wood if 'it is neither dipped In fungicide nor dried 

promptly. 

Thou h cut occasionally far posts, the wood is 

unpopu f ar becnuse the caustic latex injures the 

skin. It is suitlcble for boxes, crates, interior construct.ion, 

paper pulp, and plywood. Latex of related 

South American species has bm a minor 

source of rubbar. 

In forests of the lower and upper mountain and 

moist limestone re ions of Puerto Rico. Also reported 

long ago f rom St. John but not seen in 

flower there. Sterile specimens possibly of this 

species were collected at Tortola in 1954. 

PUBLIC m~~8~8.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Rio Abajo, Toro Nep. 

MVNICIPALITIEB WHERE ESPEGIALLY COMMON.- 

1,10,35. 

R~~o~.-Known definitely only from Suerto 


OTHER COXMON NAMES.-manzanillo, lechecillo 

(Puerto Rico) .

Natural size.

CASHEW FAMILY (ANACARDLACEAE) 

Key to the 6 snecies illustrated (Nos. 130-1353 

A. Leaves simple. 

B. Leaves elliptic or obvate, rounded at both ends or slightly notched at apex-130. Anacardium occidentale. 

BB. Leaves Iancesha~ed. - , 1on~-minted -- at both ends-131. dfangtfwa -. indica.* 

Ah. Leaves pinnate. 

C. Leaflets usually 5 (3-7), orate, blunt-pointed or minutely notched at apex; sap poisonous to the touch-132. 

Metopium toaiferum. 

CC. Leaflets 9-25. 

D. Leaflets mostly lance-shaped, long- or short-pointed at apex, with short stalks about % inch long. 

E. Leaflets inconspicuously toothed-133. Spondiaa d~lci.8.~ 

DE. Leaflets not toothed-134. Sponcliaa mombin. 

DD. Leaflets elliptic, rounded or short-pointed at apex, almost stalkless-135. Spottdias ptrrpurea.* 

130. Pajuil, cashew Anacardium occidentale L. 

Known for its cashew nuts and fruits, this small 

tree of sandy areas on the north coast of Puerto 

Rico, sometimes planted, is ident,ified by: (1) :I 

dense irregular crown of obovate or elliptic, dull 

blue-green, leathery leaves 2%-6 inches long and 

13/44 inches broad, rounded at both ends or slightly 

notched at apes, the edges turned under 

and with prominent sunlren lateral veins nearly 

at ri~ht angles to the midrib; (2) many fragrant 

pinkish flowers about s/s inch long, with 5 very 

narrow petals, short-stalked and crowded toward 

ends of terminal branched clusters; and (3) the 

very odd fruits consistin of a shiny gray-brown 

kidney-shaped or bean-s 7 aped nut (edible only 

when roasted), about 1-1% inches long on a yellow 

or reddish, fruitlike, enlarged, pear-shaped 

stalk or false fruit about 1yL-3 inches long and 

1%-2 inches broad, juicy and edible, thus appearing 

as if the nut grows outside the fruit. The nut 

shell contains a caustic poisonous oil which blisters 

or burns the skin. 

An ever een tree to 20 feet hi h and 6 inches 

in trunk f lameter, or often shru k by. The light 

ay to brown bark is smoothish, becoming slightly 

Eured. The n~llitish to reddish-brown inner bark 

is thick, bitter, and astringent, and contains a 

milky juice, and larger trunks ield a gum. Twigs 

are yellow green and finely 3 miry when young, 

becoming light gray, stiff, and crooked. 

The alternate leaves have broad yellow-green 

petioles l/q-1/2 inch long. Leaf blades slightly 

thickened, pale beneath. 

The widely spreading flower clusters (panicles) 

are 4-10 inches long and nearly as broad. Flowers 

are male and bisexual on the same tree (poly - 

amous). Calyx is more than inch long, lig f t 

green and finely hairy, narrowly 5-lobed nearly 

to base; the 5 pinkish petals yellow green at first 

are 3/S-1/2 inch long, long-pointed,. spread] 

curved backward, and minutely hnlry ; 10 or '9 ewer and 

stamens, 1 much lo~!ger than the others, slightly 

united at base; and In bisexual flowers a pistil on 

a disk with 1-celled ovary and slender curved 

style on 1 side. 

The nuts, which are the truo fruits, are attached 

at end, dry, and do not split open. Inside the 

oisonous shell is 1 large curved seed nearly 1 inch 

lbng, the edible cashew nut. As the nut matures, 

286 

the stalk (receptacle) nt base enlar es rapidly 

within n few days into a flesh fruitlib structure 

bronclest at apex, popularly E nown as the fruit. 

This thin-skinned edlble cashew "fruit" has light 

yellow spongy flesh, which is very juicy and pleasantly 

acid and slightly astringent when eaten mw 

but highly wtrin ent when green. Flowering 

fro111 February to%ay, the fruit maturing fmnl 

April to August. 

The wood is whitish, brownish, or pinkish, of 

medium hardness, medium\\-eight (specific gravity 

0.5), lnoderately strong, and easy to work but 

susceptible to attack by dry-mood ternlites. 

Though little used in Puerto Rico, the 11-oocl has 

been employed elsewhere locally in constr~lction 

and carpentry, including botitbuilding, yokes, 

hubs, etc., and for charcoal. Tl~e bark hns served 

in tanning. Mucilage repellent to insects and varnish 

have been made from t,he gum, n~l~icll is 

similar to gum arabic, and an indelible ink fro111 

the milky sap. 

The tree is valued pri~narily for the nuts and 

fruits. Roasted cashew nuts are an item of world 

commerce. In roasting, the poisonous oil of the 

shell is removed by heat, but bhe caustic fumes 

and drops of oil may blister the skin and inflame 

the eyes if care is not exercised. The "fluits" are 

eaten fresh or in preserves and have been emplo 

ed in preparation of wine and vinemr. 

drdol oil, the poisonous, thick, black, very acrid 

oil of the shell of the nut, has been used medicinally 

and to preserve book bindings, carved mood, 

and silnilar articles against insects. 11 nutritious 

oil similar to olive oil has been obtaiiletl from the 

seeds. The barlr has been the source of lnedicines 

t~lso. As the flowers are attrrictive to bees, this 

s ecies has been classed also among the honey 

p P ants. 

Living fences have been m:tde from the trees, 

which sometimes are grown for ornament. The 

plants mature at a very early age and are shortlived, 

flowering and fruitin as early as the second 

or third or sometimes the i? rst year after sowing. 

Through the tropics the trees are grown in plantations 

for the nuts and "fruits," but they are semiwild 

or naturalized in many regions. In the Virgin 

Islands the trees are uncomlnon but widely 

planted for shade and fruit, such as around houses,

180. Pnjull, cashew Anacardtum ocufdentale L. 

Natural size.

nlong ronds, nnd in 11-nste grounds. 

Limited to the moist constnl region of Puerto 

Rico, chiefly on the \rliite snnds between Bnynmcin 

nnd ~gunhilln. Also in Culebrn, Vieques, St. 

Crois, St. Tliomns, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin 

Gorda. 

RANGE.-Tliroughout West Indies, except Bn- 

linmns, from Cubn to Trinidnd and Datch West 

Indies. Also from southern blesico to Per11 nntl 

Brazil, tlie rnnge extended througli cultivntion 

nnd naturnlization. Planted nlso in soutliern 

Floridn. Cultivated nnd nnturnlized in Africn, 

India, nnd elsewliere in the Old World tropics. 

It has been suggested tlint Indians from South 

131. Mango 

CASHEW FAMILY ( ANACARDIACEAE) 

This popular introduced fruit nnd shnde tree, 

bearing one of the finest tropicnl fruits, hardly requires 

description. It is cliarncterized by: (1) n 

very dense round crown and stout trunk; (2) 

lnrge, leathery, dnrk green, Innce-shaped or nnrrowly 

oblong lenves long-pointed nt both ends or 

short-pointed at bnse, drooping in conspicuous 

red-brown clusters when first produced; (3) numerous 

small yellow-green to pink 5-parted flowen 

about 1/4 inch across in lnrge slio\vy terminnl 

clustersi and (4) the fnmilinr large, elliptic, yellow 

fruits with edible flesh and n lnrge seed 111 n 

mnss of fibers. 

A medium-sized to lnrge evergreen tree nttaining 

20-65 feet in height with trunlc to 3 feet in 

diameter. The brown bnrlr is smoothish, with 

many thin fissures, nnd tliiclr, becoming dnrker, 

rough, nnd scnly or fnrrowed. Inner bnrk is lidit 

brown and bitter. A whitish Intex exudes from cut 

twigs, and a resin from cuts in the trunk. The 

stout twigs nre pale green nnd hnirless. 

The alternate lenves hnve etioles X-llh inches 

lon and swollen at bnse. &af blndes nre M 2 

f 

inc es long and 11h-3 inches broad, curved up- 

ward from midrib nrirl sometimes with edges n 

lit.tle wavy. 

Large branched flower clusters (pnnicles) nre 

6-8 inches or more in length, reddish hairy 

brnnclies. The short-stnlkecl finely hairy fmpnt flowers are partly mnle nnd partly bisexunl (polygamotis) 

. The yellow-green calyx %/le inch long 

is dee ly 5-lobed; there nro 5 spreading 

1 

more t an Yk inch long, pink but turning re rdish; hlS 

5 stamens, 1 fertile and 4 shorter nnd sterile, borne 

on n disk; and some flo\vers have a pistil with 

I-celled ovary and slender Intern1 style. 

The large nromntic fruits (drupes) on hanging 

stalks are mostly 34lh inclies long, slightly nar- 

rowed toward apex and n little flattened, soft at 

mnturity. The yellow flesh is thick and juicy, the 

seed 21h-3% inches long, flattened, nnd weighing 

nbout an ounce. Flowering mainly in winter and 

America may have brought this species to the Vest 

Indies in pre-Columbinn times. 

OTHER COJIXOS SAJIFA. - c a ' u i 1, m.nrnfi61i 

(I.'uerto Rico) ; mnrnficin (Spnnis L ) ; caju~l (Doliilnlcnn 

Re ublic) ; jocote mnraiicin (Guatemala, 

Hondarns, el Snlvndor) ; merey (Colombin, Venezueln) 

; cnju, casu (Peru) ; cnshew, cnsliem-nut, 

cnslio\\~-npple (United States, English) ; ncajou, 

nois d'ncnjou, pomlne d'nca'ou, pommier d'ncajou 

(Frencli) ; pornme cnjou ( d uadeloupe) ; ucajou ii 

po~nme, nolx d'ncnjou (French Gu~nnn) ; cnsliu, 

)nln di cnsliupete, kasjoe, cashew, cherry (Dutch 

\Vest Indies) ; kssjoe, boschkasjae, mereke, orvi 

(Surinnm) ; caju, cajueiro (Brazil). 

spring (recorded from November to July) and 

mrturing fruits mostly from May to September. 

Tlro si~pmood is crellln colored or light brown, 

cind tlie heartwood pale yello\v or brown and often 

\\*it11 dnrker spots and irreplnr lines. The wood 

is l~nrd, moclerntely lienvy (specific grnvity 0.62), 

tough. strong, and medium-textured and hns 

stniiglit to mnvy pain, llinny large pores, and 

groat11 rings. Rnte of nir-seasoning is moderate, 

nnd nmount of degrnde minor. bfnchining characteristics 

nre as follows: planing, shaping, and 

turning nre fair; boring, mortising, and resistance 

to screw splitting are good; nnd snnding is poor. 

The wood works easily but with only fair results. 

It is sr~sceptible to nttuclc by dry-wood termites. 

In Puerto Rico the wood has been used occasionnlly 

for ment chopping-blocks as well as for fuel. 

Else\rliere it lins been employed for furniture, carpentry, 

flooring, construction, boxes and crates, 

cnrts, plywood, and dry coopernge. Rmutiful furniture 

hns been mnde from n vnriety with streaked 

\5?00d. 

This is erlinps the most popular fruit through 

tropicnl Americn. Tliough usunlly enten rnw, 

mnngos nre nlso cooked or mnde into preserves or 

jnice. Numerous improved vnrieties with larger 

nnd less fibrous fruits llnve been developed. These 

superior varieties, propn nted vegetatively by 

budding or grafting, shou F B replnce the common 

unimproved fibrous mnligos ~vhich tire groivn from 

seeds. 

Itfnngo is nn excellent linrdy shnde tree. It is 

nlso nmong the importnnt honey plnnts, secreting 

q1111nti ties of nectnr, nnd tlie flo\vers reportedly 

nre edible. T,ivestock ent the fruits. The seeds, 

floivers, bnrk, lenves, and resin hnre been em- 

ployed medicinnlly, nnd the bnrk and lenves yield 

11 yello\\- dye. A few persons hnre skin sensitive 

to the sap, which produces n rnsh nround the 

mouth and on the face. 

Widely plnnted as n fruit tree nnd slinde tree 

nrouncl liouses and along highwnys nnd commonly

Two-thirds 'natural slze. 

Yangifera fndica L. 

289

escaping from cultivation and naturalized almost 

t.hroagllout Puerto Rico \\-it11 the exception of the 

mangrove, dry limestone, and upper mountain 

regions. Through the Virgin Islancls commonly 

planted and also spontaneous except in the drier 

areas. Mona, Culebra, Vieques, St. Croix, St. 


RANGE.-Native of tropical Asia probably from 

India enst to Vietnam. Planted and escaped from 

cultivation throug1;hout the tropics, including 

soritllern Florida and Florida Keys, West Indies, 

r~nd from Mexico to Peru and Bmzil. Grown also 

in southern California. 

Thou h the exact date of introduction into the 

New lforld is u~~eertnie, nlitllgo reportedly 

reaclled Rlexico :und Rrrlzil before the end of the 

17th century. About 1742 this fruit \\.as first introduced 

into the West Indies at. Barbados from 

Brazil and in 1782 reached ,Jamaica. It is thought 

that mangos h:lve been cultivated by man for 4,000 

years. 

OTI~ER CO~IBION NAMES.-~~~~O, mnngd (Spanish) 

; Inan o (United States, English) ; mangue, 

mnnguier ~Frencll) ; man ot, mangotine (Guadeloupe) 

; manggo, rntkngga f oom (Dutch) ; manja, 

knjanna manjn, bobbie manja (Surinam) ; manga, 

mango, mangueira (Brazil). 

CASHEW FAMILY (ANACARDIACEAE) 

132, Papayo, Florida poisontree Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug & Urban 

This small tree related to poison-ivy of the 

United States, with caustic sa poisonous to the 

touch, is abundant in Mona 6 ut uncommon in 

Puerto Rico. It is cllnracterized by : (1) smoothis11 

light gray bark mottled with yellow to brown 

spots; (2) a broad rounded crown of widely 

spreading stout branches; (3) pinnate leaves ~\-ith 

usually 5 (3-7) mostly ovate leathery leaflets 

blunt-pointed or sometimes minutely notched at 

apex and nearly stmight at base on yellow-green 

axes and leaflet stalks; (4) many small 5-parted 

greenish flowers about 3/re inch across in branched 

lateral clusters; and (5) numerous elli tic or oblong 

fruits 3/g-g inch long and 3/4 inc i in diameter, 

peen turning to orange brown at maturity. 

An evergreen tree 15-20 feet in height and 6-12 

inches in trunk diameter. The distinctive bark 

peels off in thin scales or flakes, exposing the yellow 

to brown thin inner layer. Inner bark is pinkish, 

The stout twigs are bromn with mnny raised 

orange-brown dots (lenticels) , finely hairy when 

young. The poisonous watery sap turns black 

upon drying. 

The alternate leaves clustered near ends of twigs 

are 6-11 inches long and have leaflet stallcs x-1 

inch long. Leaflets are paired except the terminal 

one. Leaflet blades are 1K-3% inches long and 

1-2% inches broad, not toothed at edges, above 

shiny green, and beneath yellow peen and sli htl 

shiny or dull. Some leaflets have scattered flac f c 

dots composed in part of black dried sap at in- 

jured places. 

The slender, narrow flower clusters (panicles) 

at base of leaves are 6-10 inches long, bearing 

flowers on short stalks. Flowers are mostly male 

and female on different trees or partly bisexual 

(polygamous). There are 5 rounded sepals l/sz 

inch long, 5 yellow-green elliptic petals less than 

1h inch long and with dark lines within, 5 stamens 

56 inch long, and pistil (rudimentary in male 

flowers) on a disk, consisting of 1-celled ovary, 

short style, and slightly %lobed stigma. 

Fruits (drupes) retain the sepals at base and 

have 1 seed about I/q inch long. P~geons feed upon 

the great quantities of fruits on i\fonn. Recorded 

with flowers in Februnly :~nd with fruits in summer 


Sapv-ood is yello~vish or light brown, and heartwood 

dark brown streaked with red. The hard, 

heavy \.r-ood is easily worked, takes a fine polish, 

and IS reported to be durable. It is little used in 

Prlerto Rico but has served elsewhere for fenceposts. 

This species is of interest primarily as a poisonous 

tree to be avoided and to be recognized in areas 

where found. The genus is closely related to that 

of the well-kno~~n poison-ivy and poison-oak 

(Toxicodendron or Rhus) in the United States. 

The sap of all parts of the plant is irritating to 

the skin of many persons and often produces n 

painful rash or swelling upon contact wit11 leaves 

or twigs. For example, men clearing land where 

this tree gron-s have suffered inflammation of the 

skin. 

Sometimes the trees are seen as ornamenta!~ in 

southern Florida, where they may have pers~sted 

from the original forest. A resinousgum from the 

bark is said to have medicinal properties. Also a 

honey plant. 

In forests and thickets of the dry limestone region 

and rare in the moist limestone region of 

Puerto Rico. One of the commonest trees of 

RZonn. ilbsent from Culebra, Vieques, and Virgin 


PUBLIC FOREST.-Cambalaclle (very rare). 

R,\s~~.-Southern Florida including Florida 

Keys, through Bahamas, Cuba, Hispan~oln, Mona 

and Puerto Rico, and Anguilln in Leeward 


OTIIER COJIBION ~~~tm.-almendr611, C e d P 0 

prieto (Puerto Rico) ; pao de costa (C~ibn) ; 

Florida poisontree, po~sonwood, West Indies 

poisontree (United States) ;* poisontree, poisonwood 

(Bahamas) ; mancenill~er (Haiti). 

'

132. Papayo, Florida polsontree Metopium boxifmm (L.) Krug & Urban 

Natural slze.


133. Jobo de la India, ambarella Spondiaa dulcis Parkinson* 

This exotic fruit tree is characterized by: (1) 

pinnate leaves 8-12 inches long with 11-23 shortstalked, 

lance-shaped or oblong leaflets 1%-2% 

inches lone. thin and long-nointed. the edees inconspicuo~~lv 

toothed aria hrned inder ; @) num@ed 

flowers 

nearly 1/4 inch across in branched ierminal clusters; 

and (3) large elliptic or rounded yellow 

fruits 2-4 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, 

sour and edible. 

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 

20-40 feet in height and 1% feet in trunk diameter, 

with few stout branches and stout twigs. 

The bark is smooth and greenish and exudes a res- 

. . 

inous juice. 

The leaves are alternate. Leaflets have stalks 

less than 1/8 inch long and blades paired except the 

terminal one, S/8-1 inch broad, ghort-pointed at 

base. 

The flower clusters (panicles) are 8-12 inches 

long, the flowers on stalks about f/ls inch long. 

Flowers are male or female and bisexual on the 

same tree (polygamous). The small calyx is 

5-lobed; the 5 whitish petals less than 1/8 inch long 

are spreadin and bent downwards; there are 10 

stamens; an the pistil on a disk has an ovary with 

5 st les. 

C 

TK~ thick-skinned fruits (drupes) are borne 

2-10 in a drooping cluster. They have a pleasant 

odor and flavor sugpsting apples. The lnrp fewseeded 

stone 1-1% inches long has stiff sp~nelike 

projections into the yellow juicy pulp. In fruit 

through most of the year. 

The sapwood is whitish to light yellow, and the 

heartwood is light brown. The wood is moderately 

soft, lightweight, and not durable. 

The fruits are made into preserves as well as 

eaten fresh. Plants are propagated readily by 

cuttings. 

Grown for its fruits in Puerto Rico, chiefly in 

the coastal regions. Also in St. Croix, St. Thomas, 

and St. John. 

Rn~a~.-Native of Society Islands in the South 

Pacific but planted in various tropical regions and 

relatively uncommon in the New World. Cultivated 

in southern Florida, through West Indies 

from Cuba and Jamaicn to Trinidad and Tobago, 

and from Guianas and Venezuela to Brazil. 

Though introduced into Jamaica as early as 

1782, this has not become a popular fruit tree in 

the West Indies. 

OTHER 

COMMON NAMES.---C~~~~~ 

((Puert0 Rico) ; 

pomme cythere (Virgin Islands) ; jobo de la India, 

manzana de oro (Dominican Republic) ; ciruela 

dulce, manzana de Otahiti, job de la India 

(Cuba) ; job0 de indio (Venezuela) ; manzana de 

oro (Ecuador) ; ambarella, golden-apple, vi-apple, 

Otaheite-apple (English) ; Otaheite-plum (Jamaica) 

; pomme cythere (French) ; mombin espagnol, 

robe (Haiti) ; prune cyWere (Guadeloupe, 

Martinique) i pornme de Cythbre (Curacao, Surinnm) 

; frailsi mope (Surinam) ; cajh manga, imbuzeiro 

(Brazil). 

BOTANICAL s ~~o~~~~.-Spondias cytherea 

Sonner., S. dulcis Forst. f.

183. Jobo de la Indla, ambarella 

Two-thirds natural slze.


134. Jobo, hogplum, yellow mombin Spondhs mombin L. 

Jobo, which grows wild and is planted as a 

fence row tree and for its fruit, is recognized by: 

(1) numerous spinelike projections l/-8/q inch 

long on the thick, corky bark of the trunk; (2) a 

very spreading yellow-green crown, usually with 

few nearly horizontal branches; (3) pinnate leaves 

8-16 inches or more in len th with 9-19 clsymmetrical 

ovate or lace-shap$ short or long-pointed, 

thin leaflets; (4) numerous small, fragrant, yellowish-white, 

5- arted flowers nearly % mch 

across in showy g ranched terminal clusters. and 

(5) clusters of yellow, cylindrical, soft, juicy hits &-1v2 inches long and 3/4-1 inch in diameter, 

e 'r ible though inferior. 

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree to 60 

feet in height and 2% feet in trunk diameter. 

The whitish-brown or ay bark is smoothish except 

for numerous spine y ike projections %-% inch 

hi h, becoming rou h and furrowed. Inner bark 

is fight pink and gghtlY bitter. A resin exudes 

from cuts. The stout twigs are hairless or finely 

hai 

8; alternate leaves have slender and finely 

hairy axes. The leaflets are more or less paired 

except for the terminal one, on stalks inch 

. Leaflet blades are 2-4 inches long and 1-1% 

Ion!? inc es broad, short-pointed or rounded and oblique 

at base, the edges not toothed or slight1 wav 

yellow-green on u per surface and paler eneat . 

A 

g t 

The spreading ower clusters (panicles) are 6- 

12 inches or more in length, with flowers on short 

stalks '/la inch or more in length. Flowers are 

male or female and bisexual on the same tree 

ceptible to atkack by dry-wood termites and other 

insects. 

In Puerto Rico the wood serves for fenceposts 

and fuel. It is used also for soft-drink cases, 

packing bxw, and matehes. It will produce ulp 

for white paper and utility plywood and cou f d be 

utilized for cheap furniture and light construction 

where protected. Other uses elsewhere are as a 

cork substitute and for charconl, nnd the bark ns 

an astringent. 

The trees are planted as living fenceposts and 

for shade and ornament, being readily propagated 

b cuttin and fast growing when not in deep 

sKnde. !f% fruits can be eaten, though inferior 

to the smaller fruits of purple mombin (Spondz'm 

purpurea L.), and serve to fatten hogs and cattle. 

A honey plant. 

Along roadsides and fence rows and in pastures 

and forests in the coasta.1, moist limestone., and 

lower mountain regions of Puerto Rico perhaps 

naturalized rather than native. Also in At. Croix, 

St. Thomas, St. John, and Tohla. 

PUBLIC FOREBTS.-A irre, Cambalache, Carib, 

Guajataca, Luquillo, %aricao, Rlo Abajo, San 

Juan, Susiia, Vega. 

MUNICIPALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

8,25,30, #. 

RANGE.-Throughout West Indies except Bahamas 

and froin southern Mexico to Peru and 

Brazil, in part cultivated or naturalized. Planted 

in southern Florida. Also in Old World tropics, 

perhaps introduced. 

O!CHER ~MB~ON N~~~~.-jobillo, jobo gusanero, 

jobo vano, jobo de perm (Puerto Rico) ; jobo 

(Spanish, commerce) ; ciruela amarilla (Dominican 

Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador ; job0 de 

puerco, jobobiin, ciruela (Dominican Bepublic) 

lob0 hembra (Cuba) ; jwds jobo, jobo jmod 

&Guatemala) ; ciruela de monte,. locote (Honurn) 

; jocote, jocote de jobo, ciruela de job, 

jocote montanero (Nicaragua) ; hogplum, wildplum 

(Costa Ric4 Panama); job blanco, job0 

colorado, job de castilla (Colombia) ; cuaio, 

amn, zapatero (Venezuela) ; yellow mombm, 

f&plum (United States) ; hogplum (English) ; 

Bequia-plum (Bequia) ; hoba, hubu, plum-bush 

(British Guiana) ; mombin, monbin (French) ; 

mombin 

j 

franc, myrobalane (Haiti) ; mombin 

fruits jaunes, prune mombin, prune Myrobolan 

Guadeloupe) ; prunier mombin, monbiiier 

French Guiana) ; macaprein, hoba, yellow-plum 

Dutch West Indies) ; mop6 (Surinam, commerce) 

; mopp(i2 monbe hooboo (Surinam) ; ccljh, 

cn'lmirim, cap seira (~razil) . 

boraswfi smo-r.-~po~im ~utea L.

Jobo, hogplum, yellow mombin 

687-921 0-6620 



135. Ciruela del pais, purple mombin Spondias purpurea L.* 

Occasionally planted in fence rows and for its 

edible fruits, this small tree, frequently with 

gnarled branches, is characterized by : (1) pinnate 

leaves P8 inches long with 9-25 almost stalkless, 

elliptic, thin, yellow-pen leaflets, inches 

long, rounded or short-pointed at apex, shortpointed 

and slightly obli ue at base, with edges 

slightly wavy toothed; q2) small red or plnk 

5-parted flowers less than 1/4 inch across, in lateral 

clusters; and (3) the yellow or urplish-red,pylindrical, 

slightly sour, edible uits 1-1% Inches 

long. 

A small spreading deciduous tree to 30 feet 

high, with thick trunk to 1 foot in diameter, or 

sometimes shrubby. The bark is brown or gray, 

smoothish, soft, and thick, becoming rough and 

warty on large trunks. Inner bark is whitish and 

brown streaked, soft, and astringent. The large 

branches are brittle and easily broken. The stout 

twigs are green with brown dots (lenticels), be- 

coming brown. 

The laves are alternate and with slender, 

angled, finely hairy, yellow-green =es. Leaflet 

blades are more or less paired =cept for terminal 

one, 4/2-1 inch broad, nenrly hairless, and dull or 

slightly shiny. 

The branched flower clusters (panicles) are 

short and finely hairy and bear few flowers on 

stalks about 4/8 Inch long when the trees ?re leafless 

or nearly so. Flowers are male or female and bia 

sexual on the same tree (polygttmous). The mi- 

nute calyx is 5-lobed; there are 5 petals about 4/* 

inch long; 10 stamens; and pistil on a disk, with 

usually 5-celled ovary and 3 or 4 short styles. 

The short-stalked fruits (drupes) have yellow, 

juicy and edible pulp and a large stone inch 

long, which is fibrous on the outside, and contain 

5 or fewer seeds. Flowering in spring and matur- 

ing fruits in summer. 

The mood is whitish, soft, lightweight, and 

brittle. It is seldom used, though elsewhere the 

ash has been employed in soapmnking. 

The fruits, which resemble plums (ciruelas) 

and have a similar flavor, are eaten mw or some- 

times cooked and produce wine and other alcoholic 

drinks. They serve also to fatten hogs and cattle. 

g 

In parts of Mexico and Central America this 

species is one of the most important fruits. The 

sour young shoots and leaves sometimes nre eaten 

ram or cooked and are browsed by animals. 

Grown commonly as living fenceposts, the trees 

are easily propagated from cuttin and seeds. 

They are handsome with their sma P 1 flowers and 

showy fruits when leafless. Elsewhere the trees 

have been employed to support cultivated orchids. 

In fence rows, along highways, and near homes 

in the coastal regians, commonest and largest and 

in a narrow strip along the base of the southern 

side of the Cordillera of Puerto Rico. Probably 

naturalized rather than native. Also in St. Croix, 

St. Thomas, and St. John. 

RAN~E.-Planted and naturalized throughout 

West Indies except Bahamas. Native of tropical 

continental America and widely distributed from 

central Mexico to Peru and Brazil, spread throu h 

cultivation. Planted in southern Florida. d o 

introduced into the Old World tropics. 

OTHER COBIBCON ~~~m.---ciruela, jobillo job0 

franc& (Puerto Rico) ; purple-plum ($irgin 

Islands) ; ciruela, ciruelo (Spanish) ; jobo, ciruela 

morada, ciruela sanjuanera (Dominican Re ub- 

Ilc) ; ciruela colorada, ciruela campechana (Cu g a) ; 

jocote (Mexico, Central America ocote de 

~nvierno, jocote jobo, jobo, pitarril 1 o ; ( !3 1 Salvador) 

; jocote comGn Nicarapa) ; jobito (Costa 

Rica) ; wild-plum ( d osta Rica Panama) ; hobo 

colorado, ciruelo colorado ((Colombia) ; hobo, 

cirueln colorada (Ecuador) ; a'uela ciruelo 

(Peru) ; purple mombin, red mom k in, hogplum, 

Spanish- lum (United States, English) ; Jamaicaplum 

( +' rinidad) ; job0 Britlsh Honduras ; 

cirouelle (Haiti) ; prune 6 'Espagne, prune d u 

Chili (Guudeloupe, Martinique) ; prune rouge, 

prune jaune, mombin rouge (Guadeloupe) ; noba, 

mnkkn pruim, redplum, Jamacia-plum (Dutch 

Vest Indies) ; imbuzeiro, cajli, ciroela (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL s~~o~~~rs.-SpondiaS mombin L. 

1750, not 1753), 5. ci~*oueZZa Tussac, 8. puppea 

1,. forma Zutea (Macfadyen) Fawcett & Rendle. 

The yellow-fruited form has been separated from 

the pu le-fruited form by some authors as a 

species 3. ci~ouella Tussac) .

135. Ciruela del pals, purple mombin 

Natural size. 

Xpondfae purpurea L. 

297

136, Palo colorado, swamp cyrilla 

Pslo colorado, a large tree common in the higher 

mountains, is characterized by : (1) leathery, 

lance-shaped to narrowly elli tic leaves lX-3lh 

inches long, blunt and nlinutef notched at apex, 

usually turning red before falying; (2) reddish- 

brown, smoothish thin bark on the large crooked 

and twisted trunks which splits off in thin plates 

or scales, becoming whitish pink, spon at base 

of tree; (3) leaves confined chiefly to t le top of 

CYRILLA FAMIL Y (CYRILLACEAE) 

T 

a many-branched crown, which resembles a broom 

in appearance ; and (4) numerous crowded, small, 

urhito, 5-parted flowers 4/g long in very narrow 

lateral flower clusters 3-6 inuhes long and only 

S/g inch broad. 

This evergreen tree generally becomes 50 feet 

high and 3 feet in diameter, rarely 60 feet in height 

and 6 feet in trunk diameter. On ex osed moun- 

tain ridges and summits it may &, small or 

B 

shrubb . The bark on small trunks does not have 

the re dish-brown color noted above but is gray 

to brown, smoothish and minute1 fissured. The 

inner bark is reddish to brown an bitter. Young 

twigs are brown, turning gray. i 

The alternate leaves have petioles 4/s-1/2 inoh 

long. The leaf blades are variable in form and 

size, commonly yg-1 inch broad, sometimes smaller, 

pointed at base, with edges curved under. They 

are green and shiny on upper surface and pale 

green on lower surf ace. 

One to 10 flower clusters (spikelike racemes on 

a twig are located below most of the leaves. T)hei: 

bear numerous short-stalked flowers s/16 inc 

across and spreading slightly. There are 5 short, 

P 

pointed se als; 5 pointed petals 4/8 inch long, 

white or a so tinged with pink; 5 stamens; and 

pistil wit.11 a 2-celled ovary, short style, and 2 

stigmas. 

The many small, dry, egg-shaped fruits 

(drupes) l/s inch long are pink to red and contain 

2 or 3 light brown seeds. Flowering and fruiting 

probably during most of the year. 

The sapwood is light brown, and the maned 

heartwood attractive dark reddish brown. This 

very hard, moderately heavy wood (specific 

gravity ap roximately 0.53) has fine uniform tex- 

ture, heavi! interlocked grain, and prominent an- 

nual yowt 1 rings. The rate of air-seasoning is 

very s ow, but degrade is exceptionally severe, and 

shrinkage is very high. Because of severe warp- 

ing, ,air-dry lumber is unfit for most commercial 

uses. Machining characteristics are ns follows: 

Cyrilla racemiflora L. 

planing and resistance to screw splitting are excellent; 

shaping, turning, borin% and mortising 

are ood; and sanding is fair. he mood is suscepti 

% le to dry-wood termites. 

In Puerto Rico the wood is seldom used except 

for fuel, because of the great warping in sewning. 

Also, the large, very old trunks are short, 

often crooked, and usually hollow. However, in 

Cuba the handsomely colored wood has been made 

into furniture. The s ongy bark at the base of 

trunk is absorbent, plia 6 le, and astringent and h9.s 

been recommended as a styptic. 

Sometimes planted in the United Statm ns an 

ornamental because of the graceful white flower 

clusters and showy autumnal coloration of the foliage. 

The flowers produce dark honey, and in 

Cubs the hollow trunks serve as beehives. 

IVidely distributed in the forests of the upper 

mountain regions of Puerto Rico, chiefly in the 

Luquillo 3lountains. The wild parrots native only 

in the Luquillo Mountains nest in these I~ollow 

trees. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-Carite, Luquillo, Maricao, 

Toro Negro. 

RAN~E.-Southeastern IJnited States (near 

const from-southeastern Virginia to Florida and 

southeastern Texas), Greater Antilles, and Lesser 

Antilles in Guadeloupe, Aartinique, and St. Vincent. 

Also in southern Mexico (Oaxaca) and 

British Honduras and from Venezueln to Guianas 

and northern Brazil. 

According to its unusual northward distribution, 

this species is one of the hardiest native trees 

of Puerto Rico in resistance to cold. Growing 

wild north to soubhertstern Virginia it has been 

cultivated farther north in eastern dnited States 

to New England. Over most of the wide range a 

small tree or shrub of swamps and river banks but 

in the mountains of the Greater Antilles it becomes 

a large tree. 

OTHER COBf BION NA~~.LEB.--CO~O~O (Puert0 

Rico) ; pnado, palo colorado, sabina macho (Dominican 

Republic) ; barril, clavellina, Ilorona, 

yanilla (Cuba) ; piojillo, piojito (Venezuela) ; 

swamp cyrilla, American cyrilla, leathermoo 

southern leatherwood, titi, white titi (Unite 3 

States) ; bloodwood, beetwood (Jamaica) ; warimiri 

(British Guiana) ; bois couch6, olivier montagne 

(Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL SYNONY~~.-C'~T~U~ nnti22ana Michx.

Natural size.

BLADDERNUT FAMILY (STAPH~EACEAE) 

El?. Sauco cimarr6n Turpinia paniculata Vent. 

This small or medium-sized tree is characterized 

by: (1) 'opposite pinnate leaves with 5-11 elliptic 

or ovate lmflets also paired except for the 

terminal one, the edges minutely saw-toothed; (2) 

numerous small 5-parted greenish-white flowers 

about j/q inch across in a lar 

terminal cluster; and (3) near $ y round or sli htly 

3-lobed fruits 4/2-9/, inch in diameter, most y on 

long, slender, spreading stalks. 

An evergreen tree commonly less than 30 feet 

high and 6 inches in trunk diameter with an open 

crown, hairless throughout except for yo twigs 

and young laves. The gmy bark is muc%d 

and thin. Inner bark is brown and almost tasteless. 

The brown twigs are stout and slightly 

fissured. 

The leaves, 5-10 inches long, have a slender 

en or inkish-tinged axis, and the leaflets 

have light s r- ort sta f ks inch long. Leaflet blades 

are 11/24 inches long and %-23/q inohes broad, 

mostly short-pointed at apex and rounded or 

short-pointed & base, the saw-toothed edges often 

wavy, thin or very slightly thickened, green and 

often shiny on upper surface, light green beneath. 

Flower clustsrs (panicles) are mostly 6-12 

inches long and nearly as broad and have long, 

slender, horizontally spreading li ht peen 

branches bearin many short-stalkef fragrant 

flowers. The ca f yx consists of 5 light green unequal 

elliptic sepals less than 4/8 inch long, remain- 

f 

ing on fruit ; there are 5 white rounded petals more 

than 4/8 inch long; 5 whitish stamens 1/8 inch long; 

and istil 4/8 inch long on a lobed disk with 3- 

lobe f , 3-celled ovary and 3 united styles which 

often remain on the fruit as points or hooks. 

The rounded fruits are broader than long and 

slightly 3-angled, turning from en to brown, 

dry but not splitting o en, 3-cel ff" ed. There are 

P 

3-6 shiny li ht brown e liptic seeds Vq inch lon . 

Flowering c f iefly in spring (February to ~uney, 

the fruits matunng in summer and fall (July to 

October). 

The sapwood is whitish and hard. The heartwood 

is moderately resishnt to attack by drywood 

termites. Reported to be brittle, the woud 

is used only for fuel. 

Lower and upper mountain forests of Puerto 

Rico, ascending to summits of peaks. Also in 

Tortola. 

P~JRLIC m~~.s~s.-Carite, Guajatsca, Guilarta, 

Luquillo, Maricao, Tom Negro. 

MUNICIPALITY 

WHERE ESPECIALLY COMBION-10. 

R~~~rn.-Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and 

Tortola. Also from southern Mexico and Guatemala 

to Panama. 

OTHER COMMON NAMEB;--s~u~u~~~o, 

lilay0, eU- 

nio (Puerto Rico) ; cedro hembra (Dominican 

a8epublic) ; sa6co cimarrbn, roble giiira, serrmcho 

; cedrillo (El Salvador) ; cajeta, tinta 

Guatemala) . 

ICuba'

137. Sanco cimarr6n Turpfnfa panfculata Vent. 


301

SOAPBERRY FAMILY (SAPINDACEAE) 


A. Leaves simple, elliptic, the edges flnely toothed-142. I?loui?tfa pmtwtcaeie. 

AA. Leaves compound. 

B. Leaflets 3, elliptic or obovate, broadest beyond middle, shorbpointed at both ends, toothed on edges-143. 

Thouinia striata. 

BB. Leaflets pinnate, 4 or more (sometimes only 2). 

C. Leaflets 4-8, not paired, with wavy-toothed edges, elliptic, those toward apex largest, rounded or notched 

at apex-138. Cupanfa americana. 

CC. Leaflets mostly mired, not toothed. 

D. Leaflets 2-8, rounded or blunt-pointed at apex, on slender reddish or dark brown axis; fruit a 

flattened seed capsul+l3& dlatal/ba domingensls. 

DD. Leaflets long- or short-pointed at both ends, on axis often winged; fruit round, fleshy. 

E. Lenflets 4, the pair at apex larger, fruit Y'-l% inches in diameter, edible-140. llielicoccue 

bijftgatu8.* 

BE. Leaflet8 usually 8-12, sometimes only 1 at end; fruit %-I inch in diameter, yellow, inediblc+141. 

f3apindus saponaria. 

138. Guara Cupania americana L. 

This tree is characterized by : (1) twi4s and leaf 

axes brown hairy ; (2) pinnate leaves with 4-8 alternate 

elliptic or obovate leaflets, those toward 

apex largest, rounded or notched at apex, shortpointed 

at base, with aavy toothed ed es, the up- 

per surface shiny grem and hairy on f 

y on veins, 

and the lower surface aler and densely soft 

hairy; (3) numerous sma P 1 whitish 5-parted flowers 

y8 inch across, in most1 terminal branched 

clusters; and (4) the rounde I seed capsules 1/2-S/4 

inch long, bluntly 3-lobed, velvety-brown or rustybrown 

hairy, splitting into 3 parts and exposing 3 

rounded shiny blackish seeds 5/ls inch long, each 

in an omnge cup. 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree attaining 

20-50 feet in height and 10 inches in trunk 

diameter with a broadly spreading rounded crown. 

The gray bark is smoothish or becoming rough and 

fissured into plates. Inner bark is light brown and 

sli htly bitter. The twigs are stout. 

h e leaves are alternate, 5-10 inches long, with 

stout axes. Leaflets have short hairy stalks l,--1/4 

inch long and blades 1y2-6 inches long and 3/4-2% 

inches broad and slightly thickened. 

The flower clusters (panicles) 4-8 inches long 

have brown hairy branches. Flowers are male, 

female, and bisexual (pol gamous). There are 5 

hairy sepals nearly l/s inc i: long; 5 hairy, narroxv 

stalked petals about as long as sepals, each with 2 

scales on the outer edges; 8 stamens on a disk; and 

pistil composed of hairy 3-celled ovary with short 

style and 3 stigmas. 

Seed capsules common1 are many and crowded 

in terminal branched c ?' usters, short-stalked at 

base, opening widely into 3 parts, retaining the 3 

seeds attached for some time. Flowering in winter 

and early spring (December to March) and maturing 

fruits in spring and summer. 

The mood is Iight brown and hard, of medium 

weight (specific gravity 0.4). Very susceptible to 

attack b dry-mood termites. Used in Puerto Rico 

P 

chiefly or posts ,and oles and elsewhere for con- 

struction and shipbui f' ding. 

This s ecies has been su gested as an ornamental 

and sha i e tree. The see 2 s and leaves sometimes 

serve for medicinal Also a honey plant. 

Forests, especially 

coast, moist limestone, 

of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC FORESTS..-Cambalache, Carite, Guajataca, 

Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Susfia, Vega. 

RANGE.-Greater Antilles and in Lesser Antilles 

on1 in Dominica, Martinique, and Barbados, and 

in grinidad and Tobago. Also in Colombia and 

Venezuela. 

OTHER COJ~MON ~~~rn.--guara blanca (Puerto 

Rico) ; guiirana, guara (Dominican Republic) ; 

guara, guara comGn, phrano, gudrana macho, 

gukrana hembra (Cuba) ; guacharaco (Colombia) 

; par&, patillo, zapatero, cabimo, guamo 

guarB, guamo matias (Venezuela) ; candlewoodtree 

(Barbados) ; maraquil (Trinidad) ; bois de 

satanier (Haiti). 

A closely related s ecies of para (Cupania 

tvipuetm A. Rich.) in f?uerto Rico differs in hm ing twi~ and seed capsules with shorter yellowbrown 

hairs and the seed capsules sharply 3-angled 

and on longer stalks.

Natural slze. 

Oupanfo amerfcana L. 

303


139. Negra lora Matayba domiragenets (DC.) Radlk. 

This medium-sized tree of mountain forests is 

characterized by: (1) pinnate leaves with 2-8 

aired elliptic or lance-shaped stiff and leathery 

feaflets 1%-3% inches long and y-1 

2 % inch? 

broad, on a slender reddish or dark brown axis, 

rounded or blunt-pointed at apex and short- 

pointed at base, the upper surface shiny green and 

with many slightly raised lateral vems, pale or 

with a brownish cnst beneath; (2) minute 4- or 

5-pasted flowers less than % inch lon and broad, 

numerous in lateral branched flower c 7 usters; and 

(3) odd, reverse heart-shaped (obcordate) dark 

brown or blackish seed capsules 1/2-6/8 inch lon 

and broad, mostly flattened and less than s/le inc 

thick. 

An evmgreen tree attaining 30-60 feet in height 

and 1% feet in trunk diameter, with a compact, 

slightly spreading crown. The bark is dark 

brown, smoothish, about inch thick, often spotted 

with an orange-red lichen. Inner bark is reddish 

brown, bitter and gritty. The twip are reddish 

brown or dark brown, finely hairy when 

Young- 

Some leaves are alternate and others opposite, 

3-8 inches lon Leaflets have short stalks 4/&l/a 

inch long and tlades with minute lighter dots, not 

toothed on edges. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are 1-4 inches long, 

with finely hairy brnncl~es. The numerous hairy 

flowers are male, femde, and bisexual (polygamous). 

There are 4 or 5 pointed sepals, 4 or 5 

smaller petals, 8 stamens on a disk, and pistil 

with usually 2-celled ovary, style, and 2 stigmas. 

Seed ca sules are slightly stalked, hard, commonly 

2-10 % ed and 2- or 1-seeded, reported as also 

3-lobed. The shiny black seeds are Ks inch long 

f 

and flat. Flowering and fruiting nearly through 

the ear. 

TK~ sapwood is light brown, and the heartwood 

uniform pinkish brown or reddish brown. The 

wood is attractive, very hard, heavy (specific 

gravity 0.70)., stron fine-textured, of usually irregular 

and interloc % ed graint and has a distinctive 

foul odor. The rats of mr-seasoning is low, 

and amount of degrade is moderate. Machining 

characteristics are as follows: planing and resistance 

to screw splitting are fair; and shapi turning, 

baring, mortisin and sanding are g a The 

wood is moderately gfficult to saw and dulls cut 

ting edges. It is very susceptible to damage by 

dry-wood termites and other insects and is not 

durable. 

Chief uses in Puerto Rico are posts and poles, 

though preservative treatment is recommended. 

The wood is suitable far furniture, cabinetwork, 

turnery, interior trim, floorin handles,. agricultural 

implements, vehicle boges, and light and 

heavy construction. 

Forests of the transition zone between the lower 

and upper mountain regions of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC F O R E B T S . ~ ~ Guilarta, ~ ~ ~ , Luquill0, 


RANGE.--Cuba, Hispaniola., and Puerto Rico. 

O ~ E COBIMON R NA~S.--doncella, tea cimarrona, 

ratdn, escoba Puerto Rico) ; rathn, para 

Dominican Repub \ ic) ; caraicillo, macurije 

[Cuba). 

A second species known as' doncella (Natayba 

oppositifolia A. Rich.) Britton) has oblon leaflets 

short- or \ ong-pointed at apex and the 4 eaves 

opposite. It ap arently is rare in mountain 

forests of Puerto 1P ico.

130. Negm lora 

Natural size. 

Natwba donrdngensfu (DC.) RadLk. 

305

140, Quenepa, kinep, Spanish-lime 

SOAPBERRY FAMII ,Y (SAPINDACEAE) 

Quenepa is a familiar exotic tree planted for its 

edible fruit and shade. It is distinguished by : (1) 

erect form and a dense symmetrical globular crown 

of dull light green foliage; (2) pinnate leaves with 

4 paired elliptic leaflets 3-5 inches long and 1%- 

234 inches broad, long- or short-pointed at both 

ends and sliehtly oblique at base, almost stalkless 

along an axis sometimes winged; md (3) small 

greenish-white fragrant flowers about inch 

numerous in terminal branched clus- 

:E2n?z) round or elliptic gwn fruits l/kl% 

inches in diameter with thin, sweet and acid, juicy 

flesh and 1 (sometimes 2) large seed. 

An evergreen tree becom~ng 40-60 feet hi h, 

with trunk 1-2 feet in diameter, slightly ang f ed 

and fluted. T_he bark is gray and smoothish, the 

inner bark orange brown, gritty, and tasteless. 

Twigs are brown or gay, peenlsh when young. 

The alternate leaves are 6-43 inches lon with 

light green axis 2s-3 inches long. Lea if' ets are 

thin, not toothed on edges, the pair at apex larger. 

Flower cllisters (panicles) are 3-6 inches long 

and broad, with several to man narrow brnnches. 

Flowvers are mostly male and 9 emale on different 

trees but partly of both sexes (polygamous), on 

spreading stalks 1/ inch long. Calyx is deeply 4- 

or 5-lobed, the loBes more than K6 inch lon ; 

there are 4 or 5 rounded greenish-white peta 7 s 

about 4$ inch long; 8-10 stamens on a disk; and 

pistil composed of 2- or 3-elled ovary with short 

style and 2- or 3-lobed stigma. 

Fruits (dm es , borne in clusters, are marketed 

for their thin ii es L , which is gelatinous and slightly 

fibrous, yellowish to salmon colored, and su - 

gestive of grapes. The pale yellow elliptic sea 8 s 

Melicoccus bi jugatw Jacq.* 

inches long are edible when roasted. 

Flowering in spring (April to June), the fruits 

maturing frdm June to September. 

The sapwood is light brown, and the heartwood 

light brown or pale yellow gray. The wood is of 

medium weight and fnirly hard but reportedly not 

resistant to decay. Elsewhere it has been used in 

construction, interior work, and cabinets. 

Besides furnishing fruit and shade, the trees are 

honey plants, their plsasantly scented flowers at- 

tractlng bees. 

Plantad as a fruit and shade tree and along 

highways in Puerto Rico and esmping from culti- 

vation. Commonest in the dry coastal re 'on. 

Also in Mona, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. ghn, 

and Tortola. 

RANa~.-.Nahive of Colombia, Venezuela, and 

Guianas. Widely planted and escaping or na- 

turalized throughout West Indies from Bahamas 

and Cuba to Trinidad and Curacao. Cultivated

140. Quenepa, kinep, Spanish-llme 


dlelfcoccuu bUupatu.9 Jaq. 

307

SOAPBERRY F M 

141. Jaboncillo, wingleaf soapberry 

Small to medium-sized tree sometimes planted 

for shade, characterized b : (1) pinnate leaves 

8-16 inches long, with usua ?' ly 6-12 paired elliptic 

to lance-shaped dull green leaflets, the green axis 

often with a wing j/4-h inch wide; (2) very numerous 

small 5-parted whitish flowers s/16 inch 

across in lar e branched lateral clusters 6-18 inches 

long; and 6) shiny brown ball-like berries %-I 

inch in diameter, borne singly or sometimes 2 or 3 

together, containing yellow, sticky, bitter, poisonous 

flesh and 1 round black poisonous seed. 

An everpen tree 20-60 feet high and 1 foot in 

trunk diameter, sometimes lar er with broad 

crown. The light gray or brown fnrk is smoothish 

becoming fine1 fissured and scaly. 

Inner and wartE bar is light orange g rown, slight1 bitter 

and astringent. The stout twigs are lig K t gray 

with raised reddish-brown dots (lenticels), finely 

hairy when young. 

The alternate leaves have paired leaflets with or 

without a single terminal one. Leaflets are stalkless 

or near1 so, 21/24 inches lon and 1-2% inches 

wide, most ?? y short-pointed at sth ends, often 

oblique and unequal-sided with side toward leaf 

apex much broader, thin, not toothed on edges, 

beneath slightly paler and sometimes soft hairg: 

The male flowers produced in great quantities 

seem to fall from the tree almost like rain and litter 

the ground beneath. Flowers are mostly male but 

some are female or bisexual (polygamous). In 

male flowers there are 5 spreadin 

l/lB inch long, unequal, the outer 2 eing smaller, 

whitish and tinged with peen; 5 whlte hairy 

petals rounded and smaller than sepals; 8 light 

yellow stamens more than x6 inch long on a light 

green disk; and a mlnute brown nonfunctional 

pistil. Female flowers have besides the sppala and 

petals shorter stamens and a greenish plstil more 

than '/la inch long with 3-celled ovary and slender 

style. 

One or sometimes 2 or 3 fruits develo from a 

pistil, the abortive ones remaining as dis E like appendages 

at base. Inside the tmnshicent yellow 

flesh is the poisonous seed S/s-1/2 inch in diameter. 

Branches of the flower cluster (panicle) become 

hard and woody when the fruits mature. 

Sapwood is whitish, and heartwood yellow or 

Sapindus saponaria L. 

lipht brown. The wood is hard and hea 3' (.E- 

cific gravity O.$), coarse-textured, and not ura e 

when exposed. Used locally for posts and else- 

where employed in carpentry. 

The common names refer to the use of the fleshy 

fruit as a substitute for soap. When cut up, the 

fleshy part, which contains about 30 percent sap- 

onin, produces suds abundantly in watq. 

Crushed seeds serve as a fish poison when 

thrown into a stream. An insecticide has been 

made from p und seeds, and medicinal oil ex- 

tracted also. Ot.her uses of the seeds are as beads 

in necklaces, as marbles, and formerly as buttons. 

Infusions of bhe roots and leavea have been pre- 

pared for home remedies. A shade tree and honey 

plant. 

In the dry coastal region of Puerto Rico, infre- 

uently plantad for shade. Also in Vieques, St. 

Zroix, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

PUBLIO ~o~m~.-Aguirre. 

R~~o~.--Comrnon and widely distributed in 

tropical America and s read farther thro h cultivation. 

Southern F t' orida including Xorida 

Keys (grown also in California and Bermuda) 

and throughout West Indies from Bahamas and 

Cuba to Trinidad. Also from Mexico to Ecuador, 

Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ar tina, Paraguay, 

and Brazil. Introduced into b 

Id World tropics. 

OTElER COAfAfON ~~XES.--go&pberry (virgin 

Islands) ; jaboncillo (Spanish) ; palo amargo, 

chorote, mata de chivo (Dominican Republic) ; 

giiiril, huiril, jaboncillal (Guatemala) ; pac6n 

(Honduras) ; pacfin (El Salvador) ; pac6n, cuyus 

(Nicaragua) ; lirnoncillo (Panama) ; chumbmo, 

chumbimbo, chocho (Colombia) ; paraparo, pepo 

(Venezuela) ; jurupe (Ecuador) ; mlluc~ (Peru) ; 

jisoto&o (Bolivia) ; yequiti, casita, palo-'aMn 

(Arpntina) ; wingleaf soa be^, soap b, rry 

(United States) ; soapberry ( E nghsh) ; soapseed 

Trinidad) ; soap-tree, soapseed-tree, jabon-ch6 

(British Honduras) ; savonette pays, graine canique, 

bois savonette (Haiti) ; savonier, savonettier, 

savonette montape, bols maweux, savonette 

mousseuse (Guadeloupe) ; savonetapel (Curagao) ; 

sop0 sirie (Surinam) ; saboeiro, saboneteiro 

(Brazil).

141. Jaboncillo, wingleaf soapberry 

Natural slzc,


142. Serrasuela Thouinia portoricensis Radlk. 

This small tree or shrub restricted to dry southwestern 

Puerto Rico is distinguished by: (1) few 

slender s rending branches und without a definite 

crown ; &) lentheq elli tic leaves simple (some- 

f 

times compound with 3 enflets), rounded at apex 

and short-pointed at base, the edges finely toothed, 

shiny green above and pale p en and densely soft 

hairy with prominent veins beneath; (3) many 

small whitish flowers 3/16 inch across, 4- or 5- 

parted, in narrow branched lateral clusters 1-2s 

inches long; and (4) brown narrow key fruits 4/?- 

5/8 inch long, usually 3 attached together. Th~s 

species is closely related to the next 

quillo ( TItouinia stria.ta 

ing compound leaves with 3 

smaller flowers. Intermediate individuals have 

been found. 

A deciduous tree becoming 15 feet high and 3 

inches in trunk diameter. The grny bark is rough, 

fissured and divided into thin scaly plates. Inner 

bark is brownish and slightly bitter. Twigs are 

brownish green, finely hairy when young, becom- 

ing gray. 

The alternate leaves have finely brownish hairy 

petioles inches long. The blade is usually 

simple and 24 inches long and 1-2 inches wide, 

the upper surface nearly hairless except on veins. 

Sometimes there are 3 stalkless leaflets at end of 

petiole, the 2 lateral leaflets much smaller, 7/8-11/2 

inches long. 

The densely hairy flower clusters (thy~ses) are 

attached along the twi often at leaf bases. 

Flowers are male, femn Y' e, and bisexual (polygamous) 

borne on short stalks less than 1/8 inch 

long. $here are 4 or 5 greenish hairy sepals more 

than '/la inch Ion and rounded at apex; 4 or 5 

white petals less t f lan 1/8 inch long; 8 stamens I/s 

inch long on a disk; and pistil 4/s inch long with 

hairy %-celled ovary of 3 near1 sepnrnte lobes and 

3-forked style rising between lo 5 es. 

The dry fruits (mmaras) , usunll 3 developing 

from a flower, are finely ha~ry, enc 'I' osed 1 seed at 

base, and hnve a long narrow curved wing inch 

wide. Flowering and fruiting nearly through the 

year. 

The sapwood is light brown and hard. The 

mood is little used. 

Forests and thickets of the dry limestone region 

of southwestern Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC ~o~~a~.-Gu&nica. 

MUNICIPALITLEB WHERE ESPECIALLY COD~BION.- 

28, 38, 54. 

RANGE.-Confined to southwestern Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COMLIMON ~ a~~-quebracho (Puerto 

Rico) . 

BOTANICAL SYNONYM. - Thyana portoricemitt 

(Radlk.) Britton.

Natural size. 

Thoutnla striata Radlk. 

311


143. Ceboruquiilo Thouinia striata Radlk. 

A small to medium-sized tree of Puerto Rico 

recognized by : (1) compound leaves with 3 elliptic 

or obovate leaflets, the middle leaflet largest, broad- 

est beyond middle, saw-toothed on edges, and 

short-pointed at apex and base, the lower surface 

and with rominent veins; (2) small 

whitish owers less t f' an 4/s inch long and broad, 

4-parted, numerow., and short-stalked in very nar- 

row clusters 1V24 Inches long and s/8 inch wide at 

leaf bases; and (3) brown narrow winged key 

fruits 74% inch long, borne in 3's. 


inches in trunk diameter, with an erect crown. 

The bark is gray, rough, broken into thin rectan- 

gular scaly plates. Inner bark is light brown and 

slightly bitter. The brownish twim are finely 

hairy, p en when young. 

The alternate leaves are 4-8 inches long, with 

leaflets at the end of a minutely hairy petiole 

1/2-21/2 inches long, the leaflets with short ?talks 

about ?As inch lon . Leaflet blades are 2%-6 inches 

long and 1-3 inc f es broad, slightly thickened, the 

upper surface yellow green and hairless except on 

veins, the lower surface light p en and densely 

soft hairy. 

The lateral flower clusters (panicles) commonly 

have 2 main finely hairy branches. Flowers are 

male, female, and bisexual ( olygamous), borne 

on stalks less than 4/8 inch f ong. There are 4 

yellow-green hairy sepals less than inch long; 

4 white narrow hairy petals more than 1/16 inch. 

long, notched at apex.; 8 stamens on a disk; and 

pistil composed of hairy 3-celled ovary and slender 

style 3-lobed at apex. 

The fruits (samaras) are dark brown at the narrow 

base, slightly hairy, 1-seeded, with a long light 

brown wing j/q inch broad. Flowering and fruitin 

from spring to fall. 

%he sapwood is light brown. The woad is had, 

tough, and heavy (specific gravity 0.9). It is used 

chiefly for posts. 

Forests of the moist limestone and lower Cordillera 

regions in western Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, G)uajataca, Maricao, 

Rio Abajo, Sus6a. 

MUNICIPALITIEB WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.--7, 

9,23,24,31,34,68. 

RANC+E.-I(~OW~ only from herto Rim. 

OTHER COMMON ~~xm.-quiebmhacha, quebracha, 

serrasuela, guab& Puerto Rim). 

BOTANICAL SYNONYM.- d 

hym striata; (Radlk.) 

Britton.

143. Ceborugulllo 


SABIA FAMILY (SABIACEAE) 

144. Agnacatillo Meliosma herbertii Rolfe 

A medium-sized tree of mountain forests characterized 

by: (1) petioles with an enlargement at 

base and 3/8-ll/q inches lon (2) dark green elliptic 

leaves mostly broadest 6bi eyond the middle, 3-8 

(sometimes 10) inches long and 1%-31/4 (sometimes 

4) inches wide, shortointed or blunt at 

apex, short-pointed at base, e ges not toothed ex- 

cept on young plants; (3) numerous minute 

white 5-parted flowers less than y8 inch long and 

broad in much-branched clusters; and (4) few to 

many newly round fruits %-% inch long, dark 

brown, violet., or black, and fleshy. 

An everpen tree reaching 30430 feet in height 

and 2 feet in trunk diameter. The bnrk is smoothis11 

but slightly warty, gray, and thin, becoming 

fissured on large trunks. Inner bark is brownish 

and bittar. The gray twigs, hairless except when 

young, have scattered reddish-bro~vn, corky marts 

(lenticels) l/s inch or less in length. 

The leaves are nlternnte, with the few lateral 

veins sunken, sligllt,ly shiny on bot,ll sides, and 

paler beneath. Young plants produce larger 

leaves. 

The branched flower clusters (panicles) are terminal 

and lateral, 2-8 inches long and broad, and 

~ninut.ely hairy. The flowers have a few minute, 

llairy, overlapping scdes at bay. There are 5 

rounded overlapping sepals l/la inch long, with 

hairy border, remaining attached at base of fruit; 

petals 5, white, the outer 3 larger and more than 

$i6 inch long and 2 small narrow scales; 5 stamens 

opposite the petals and united wit11 them at base, 

2 fertile stamens o posite the small petals and 3 

sterile (staminodesr; and pistil \\?it11 ovary, style, 

and 2 minute stigmas. 

Fruits (drupes) are light green when immature, 

nearly round but longer than broad, hare a l?rge 

I-seeded stone, and remain attached for some tlme. 

S 

Flowering and fruiting nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is light brown, and the attractive 

heartwood light brown with darker streaks and 

often an attractive orange overcast. The wood is 

moderately heavy (specific gmvity 0.42) firm, 

tough, n-ith moderntely coarse texture, stralght to 

frequently interlocked grain, and faint growth 

rings. It is low in durability and very susceptible 

to attack by dry-wood terrnrtes. The rate of airsensoning 

is moderate, but the amount of degrade 

is considerable. Machining characteristics are as 

f0110\t-~ : p lanin . f and resistance to screw splitting 

are excel ent, s aping, turning, boring, and mortising 

are poor ; and sanding is good. 

Fen. trees become large enough for commercial 

timber. Uses elsewhere include construction and 

cni~ent~y. Thouqh difficult to work, the wood is 

suitable also for furniture, cabinetwork, paneling 

interior trim, and boxes and crates. 

Forests of the lower mountain regions of Puerto 

Rico. Also in Tortola. 

PUBLIC m~~~~~.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Tom Negro. 

RANGE.-Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Tortolrt, 

and Lesser Aritilles from St. Kitts to Grenada. 

Also in northeastern Venezuela. 

OTHER COMMON NA~E8.-arroyo, cacaillo, cacao 

bobo (Puerto Rico) ; cacao cimarrbn, cacao bob0 

(Dominican Republic) ; gross grain (Grenada) ; 

bois violet, graines violettes, graines vertes 

(Guadeloupe) ; mild cocon (Trinidad). 

Arroyo (NeZiosma obtu8ifoZid (Bello) Krug & 

Urban) is rt related, less common tree species 

known only from mountain forests of Puerto Rico. 

It has lenves rounded at apex and smaller nsarly 

round fruits about S/g inch in diameter. Other 

common names are cacaillo, cerrillo, cirnlillo, and 

guayamte.

144. A yacatillo 


BUCKTHORN FAMILY (RHAMNACEAE) 

Key to the 4 species illustrated (Nos. 145-1481 

A. Leaves with 1 mnin vein or midrib, edges not toothed ; twlm not spiny. 

B. Lenves mostly short-polnted at apex, lateral veins curved and prolonged near margins. 

C. Leaves slightly thickened, the lower surface, petioles, and aPlg8 wlth rusty brown hairs, e$peclfIllY 

when young-145. Colubrina arborescens. 

CC. Leavee thin, the lower surface pale green and minutely hairy-146. Colubrlna recllnda. 

BB. Leaves rounded at both ends and slightly notched at apex, nearly hairle8s-147. Krugfodendron fmeum 

M. Leaves with 3 main veins from bnse, edgea often minutely toothed; twigs with paired or single spin+148 

Sarcomphalue retf~UlafU8. 

145. Abeyuelo, coffee colabrina Colubrfna arboreecens (Mill.) Sarg. 

This usually small tree is identified by: (1) 

rusty-brown hairs on young twigs young leaves, 

veins or lower surface of mature ieaves, petioles, 

and flower clusters; 2) slightly thickened elliptic 

leaves 11/24 inches \ ong and x-3 inches broad, 

blunt- or short-pointed at apex and rounded at 

bnse, with the prominent lateral veins curved and 

rolonpd near margins, the up er surface sllghtf!y 

shiny green and nearl hair P ess,, and the lower 

r 

surfaq lighter green nndlfinely hury; (3) small, 

sprendlng, 5-parted, greenish and rust -brown 

hairy flowers g/16-l/q inch across in ma1 laternl 

clusters; and (4) rounded dark brown or blackish 

seed capsules about Vq inch in diameter, 3-seeded, ciently large. 

Commonly 10-15 feet high and 2 inches or less Planted as n shade tree in southern Florida, 

in trunk diameter but sometimes 25 feet or more in Guatemala, and El Salvador. Recent forest planheight, 

evergreen, with spreading crown. Bark tations of this species in the Guilarte Forest conof 

small trees is brown or y, smwthish, and tain rapid-pwing trees of good form. The shiny 

thin, peeling off in small t 8" in flakes, on larger seeds of thls and related species have been made 

trunks becoming fissured. Inner bark is light into necklaces and similar ornaments in Jamaica. 

brown or pink and slightly bitter. Older twigs Thickets and forests in the coastal and limeare 

gray or reddish brown. 

stone regions, chiefly in the drier areas of Puerto 

hves are alternate in 2 rows and hare petioles Rico. Also in Mona, Icacos, Vi ues, Culebra, St. 

%-4/2 inch long. Blades are 1s-6 inches long Croia, St. Thomas, St. ~ohn>ortola, Virgin 

and 94-3 inches broad? not toothed on "We" Gorda, and Anegada. 

Trees planted in molst sites of Puerto ~co are PUBLIC FORE~TB.-BO~U~~~~, Cnmbalache, Gunso 

different in their more vigorous rapid growth jntnca, GuEinicn, Guilnrte, Rio Abajo. 

that the scarcely seem to represent the same spe- ~~uNIcIPALITY WHERE EBPECLiLLY C O ~ O N . ~ ~ 

cies. T l! ey become 40-50 feet in height and 6-10 RANOE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

inches in trunk diameter, with long stout nearly Keys and ?Vest Indies from Bahamas and Cuba 

horizontal branches bearing 2 rows of large coarse to Antigun and in Barbados. Also southern 

leaves. These much lar er leaves have stout eti- Mexico, Guatemala, and Hondurns, and introduced 

oles S/g-1 inch long an if blades 8-11 inches P ong in El Salvador. 

and 4-6 inches wide. The flowers are similar, C~"~'ER COBZBION NABCEB.-~0ra~6n de paloma, 

thou h the seed capsules ma be slightly larger. cuerno de buey (Dominican Republic) ; bijhyara, 

The 3 rawings illustrnte both t K e typical and large- birijagua, fuego (Cuba) ; cnscalata (Mexico) ; 

leaf forms. 

coxt6, costex, guayabillo (Guatemala) ; dhaquirio, 

Flower clusters are 1h inch across or smaller 

almost stalkless, with severnl, mostly dhort-stalked 

chaquirn (El Salvador) ; coffea colubrina, nakedflowers. 

The short cuplike base (hypanthium) wood, wild-coffee (United States) ; common snakebears 

5 spreading, pointed sepals more than '/la bark, bitters (Bahamas) ; greenheart, snake-wood, 

inch long greenish and on outside rusty-brown black velvet, wild ebony, mountain ebony (Jahairy, 

and 5 smaller narrow yellow etals folded maica) ; blackbend-tree (Barbados) ; bois de fer, 

around the '5 o posite stamens; and t e pistil con- 

s 

R 

bois mabi, bois peld, bois ferblanc (Haiti). 

sists of 3-celle ovary covered by the broad disk, BOTANICAL BYNON~B. - Cot~tbrina colubrina 

a style, and 3 stipas. 

(Jacq.) Millsp., 0. ferruginosa Brongn.

145. Abeynelo, coffee colubrina 

oolubrin.a arborescens (Mill.) f3arg. 

Typlcal form (above) and large-leaf form (below), two-thirds natural size.


146, Mabi, soldierwood Colubrina reclinata (L'Hk.) Brongn. 

This small tree or shrub of dry areas is characterized 

by: (1) hely hairy brown twigs; (2) thin, 

elliptic leaves 1-3 inches long and lh-llh inches 

broad, short-pointed at apex and rounded at base, 

with the lateral veins curved and prolon ed near 

margins, peen and hairless qn u per sur ace, and 

pale green and minutely hairy neath; (3) the 

L f 

small, spreading greenish 5-parted flowers nearly 

9iG inch across, several in almost stalkless clusters 

at bases of leaves; and (4) the rounded, slightly 

$-angled, reddish-brown seed capsules 1/4 inch in 

diameter, 3-seeded. 

Evergreen, usually 10-15 feet liigli and less than 

4 inches in trunk diameter, with spreadin crown 

of thin foliage. The orange-brown fark is 

smoothish on small trunks but becomes fissured, 

splitting off in thin scales. Inner bark is light 

brown and bitter. The twigs are slender. 

The alternate leaves have hairy etioles 1/4-l/z 

inch long. The blades commonly lave 9 brown 

gland dots on the margin near base. I' 

Flower clusters about 1/ inch across, hairy. 

Ei~ch flower has n short cuplite base (hypanthium) 

on which are borne 5 spreading, pointed, greenish 

sepals more than l/lG inch long, miry on outside, 

and 5 smaller, narrow, yellow petals folded around 

the 5 opposite stamens; the istil has a 3-celled 

ovary covered by the broad dis P r but with style and 

3 stigmas protruding. 

Seed capsules ham a cuplike base (hypanthium) 

in lowest third and split a art from the base to 

release the shin brownish- 

I 

B lack elli tic seeds s/l 

. In ower from July to &ember and 

inch in fruit lonf rom July to January. 


dark brown. The wood is hard, heavy (specific 

ravity 0.8), strong, and reported to be durable. 

k is used on1 for posts in Puerto Rico. 

From the % ark is produced the popular fermented 

drink "mabf." Elsewhere decoctions from 

tlie bitter bark and the leaves have been used in 

local medicines. The plants have been grown as 

ornamentals in southern Florida. 

Thickets and woods in the dry coastal and dry 

limestone re ions of southwestern Puerto Rico. 

Also in Cule f ra, St. Groix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

Tortola, and Anegada. 

PUBLICI FOREST-/\-~&nic~. 

RANOE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

Keys, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser 

Antilles south to St. Vincent. Also in southern 

i\.Iexico (Vemruz and Yucatin and Guatemala. 

OTHER COJ~B~ON NAXEB.-pa 1 o amargo, mabi 

(Dominican Republic) ; ja ajabico, carbonem de 

costa, cnrbonero (Cuba) ; so 9 dierwood, naked-wood 

(Umted States) ; smooth snake-bark (Bahamas) ; 

bois mabf, bois de fer (Haiti) ; bois mabi, mambee 

(Guadeloupe) .

146. Yabf, soldierwood Colubrina reclinata (L'HOr.) Brongn. 

Natural size. 

319


147. Bariaco, "ironwood," leadwood Krugiodendron ferreum (Vahl) Urban 

One of several similar spscies with small leaves, 

this small tree or shrub is characterized by: 

(1) densely leafy spreading branches in horizontal 

layers; (2) mostly opposite, nearly hairless, 

elli tic (sometimes ovate) leaves %-2 inches lon 

an ci? 1/2-l% 

inches broad, rounded at both ends an 8 

slightly notched at apex, reddish when immature, 

later green or yellow green, shiny on upper sur- 

face and dull beneath; (3) yellow-grean 5-parted 

flowers S/16 inch across, a few in clusters 34-95 inch 

long at leaf bases; and (4) elliptic dark brown or 

black fruits inch long. 

An e veren tree or shrub commonly 10-15 feet 

high and 26 inches in trunk diameter. The gray 

bark is smoothish or slightly fissured, becoming 

rid d and scaly on large trunks. Inner bark is 

red % ' h brown, slightly bitter. The slender twiga 

are minutely hairy, gray or light brown, the young 

&Tieen portions benring the lateral flowers. Raised 

leaf scars and dots (lenticels) make the twigs 

sli htly rough. 

=l 

the leaves have short, finely hai petiolas 

4/s-SJ16 inch long and blades usually slig tly thickened, 

not toothed on edges. 

Flower clusters (cymes) hve 5 or fewer flowers, 

each on a stalk about 4/8 inch long. The &ort cupshaped 

base (hypanthium) is lw than #. lonp 

bearing 5 spreading pointed yellow-green sqa s 

l/le inch long and 5 stamens; the pistil xe inch 

long bordered by the disk Ins ovary, short style, 

and 2 stigmas. Petals are lacking. The fruits 

(drupes) are 1-seeded. Flowering and fruiting at 

different times during the year. 


is orange brown to dark brown, streaked. The 

wood is exceedingly hard, exceedingly heavy (specific 

gravity 1.3-1.4), very fine-kxtured, and very 

resistant to decay and to attack by dry-wood termites. 

Because of the small size of local trees, 

the wood has little use in Puerto Rico except for 

posts. 

Used elsewhere for cabinetwork, veneer, crossties, 

and canes. The wood is one of the den&.& 

in the world, the heaviest of the native woods in 

the United States and perhaps also of Puerto 


Thickets and woods in the limestone regions of 

Puerto Rico, mostly in the southwest. Also Mona, 

Desecheo, Caja de Muertos, Icacos, Culebra, Vieques, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and 

Anegada. 

PUBLIO FORE~TB.-GU&~&~&C&, GuAnica. 

RANGE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

Keys, Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lessar Antilles 

south to St. Vincent and Bequia, and in Bonaire 

and Cuwao. Also in southern Mexico, Guatemala, 

British Honduras, hd Honduras. 

OTHER COMMON NA~S.--85pejuel0, palo de 

hierro, quiebra-hacha (Puerto Rico) ; ironwood, 

guatafer, bois de fer (Virgin Islands) ; quiebrahacha, 

ciguamo, palo de hierro (Dominican Republic) 

; cocuyo, hueso de tortuga, coronel, carny 

de costa, palo diablo, acero (Cuba) ; quiebra-hacha 

(Guatemala) ; lydwood, black-ironwood (Unitad 

States) ; black-ironwood (Jamaica) ; axemaster, 

quebracho (British Honduras); bois de far 

(Haiti, Guadeloupe) ; manggel corn, ironberry 


The generic name means Krug's tree. This 

genus of a single species mas dedicaw to Leopold 

ICrug (1833-98), German consul in Puerto Rico, 

businessman, botanist, and patron of science, who 

studied the flora of the West Indies.

147. Bariam, "ironwood," leadwcwl 

Natural size. 

Krugiodendrm lerreum I VabI ) Urban 

321

BUCKTHORN FAMILY (RIIAMNACEAE) 

148. Cascarroya Sarcomphalus reticuldus (Vahl) Urban 

This small tree of dry forests is distinguished long composed of a pen hairy 3-celled ovary and 

by: (1) small gray or brown spines 4/8-s/s inch 3 styles united below. 

long paired or single at some nodes; (2) densely The fruits (drupes), a few in a cluster, are 

rusty hairy twigs; (3) mostly small, thickened, slightly longer than broad, light een and turnstiff 

and brittle elliptic leaves 1-3 inches long and ing to brown, finely hairy or hair ff ess. The large 

.5/8-2 inches broad, rounded at both ends, with 3 stone encloses 3 or fewer shiny bromn flattened 

main veins from base, the lower surface with prom- seeds. Flowering and fruiting in summer. 

inent network of raised veins and finely soft hairy ; The wood is light brown or yellowish,.hard, and 

(4) many small yellow-green 5-parted flowers s/16 heavy (specific gravity 0.9). Used m Puerto 

inch across, finely and densely hairy, in branched Rico for posts. 

clusters; and (5) elliptic brown fruits s/8-5/8 inch In Dominican Republic hogs and goats eat the 

long, ~vith brown hai~y base inch across. fruits. Reported to be a honey plant. 

An evergreen tree or shrub to 20 feet high and Forests and thickets of the dry limestone re- 

4 inches in trunk diameter. The dark gray or gion of southwestern Puerto Rico. Also in Caja 

brown bark is smoothish. Inner bark is dark red, de Muertos, St. Croix, and Tortola. 

gritty, and tasteless. The brown or gray twigs are PUBLIC FOREST.-GU&~~C~. 

angled when young. 


The alternate leaves have short hairy petioles Islands, and Lesser Antilles at Barbuda and Long 

about 4/8 inch long. Leaf blades are often slight- Island near Antigua. 

ly heart-shaped at basa, vith edges often minute- OTHER COJLJCON NAB~S.--C~C~O roj o, azuf nito, 

ly toothed and turned under, the up er surface cascarilla, espejuelo (Puerto Rico) ; saona cimarreen 

to dark green, dull or a little s F liny, .finely ronn, snona de puerco, sopaipo (Dominican Repubfairy 

or becoming nearly hairless, with sllghtly lic) ; coquemolle (Haiti). 

sunken veins, and the lowor surface light green. A related tree species (Sarcmphah domin- 

The flower clusters (panicles) ara most1 ter- gensis (Spreng.) ICrug b5 Urban) has the twigs, 

minal, ~-21/i inches long, densely halry, and'bear leaves, and flowers all hairless. It is recorded from 

many cro\vdd, almost stalkless, slightly fragrant 

flowers less than 1/8 inch long. The conical green 

the British Virgin Islands, Vieques, and the northhairy 

base (hypnnthium) 1/16 inch long bears 5 eastern end of Puerto Rico. 

sprending, pointed, ellom-green sepals +$/l(i inch Ailothor species (Sarcmphalus taylorii Britlong, 

hairy on outsi 'f e, 5 minute long-stalked con- ton), a shrub or small tree of Mona Island and Bacave 

pale yellow petals x6 inch long, and 5 stn- hamas, has obovnte leaves less than 1 inch long, 

mens opposite the petals and the same length; and bright green on both sides, and notched or 

within the yellow-green disk is the pistil '/ls inch rounded nt apex.

Natural slze. 

Sarcontphalus retictclatus (Vahl) Urban

149. Motillo 

A large tree of mountain forests, recognized by : 

(1) the mostly large elliptic leaves 6-18 inches 

long and 3-8 ~nches broad, short-pointed at both 

ends and the petioles with a swelling at each end; 

(2) the pale yellow widely spreading flowers 

%-3/q inch across, 

clusters; (3) the 

inches long, hard 

ally into 4 parts 

under trees; and 

base of the trunk. 

This evergreen tree becomes 100 feet tall, with 

a straight trunk 23 fmt in diameter. The smoothy 

bark has reddish-brown warts about 

ish I/q dark inch T= ong and broad. Inner bark is li ht 

brown, with slightl bitter gritty taste. #he 

brown twigs are fine r y hairy when young. 

The alternate leaves have stout petioles 

reen turning brownish. Leaf blades 

vary inches peat lonpl, y in size and are thin or slightly thick- 

ened, without marginal teeth, nearly hairless, dark 

reen and with slightl sunken veins on upper sur- 

Rce, nnd peen beneat K . 

Flower clusters (racemes) are unbranched, 2 

inches or less in length, with several flowers on 

slender, .finely hai stalks 1h-8/4 inch long. There 

are 4 or 5 pale ye1 7 ow, pointed, finely hairy sepals 

l/q-6/1a inch long; no petals; numerous hairy stamens 

inch or less in length, attached on a broad 

disk; and the hairy pistil 1/4 inch long, consisting 

of 4- or sometimes 3-celled ovary, style, and 4 or 

sometimes 3 stigmas. . 

The Cparted seed capsules, inconspicuously fine 

hairy, hard and with walls s/16 inch thick, release 

a few rounded or elliptic seeds about l/z inch long. 

Flowering chiefly from spring to fall, with fruits 


The sa wood is yellowish brown, and the heartwood 

mu y ticolored, \?a ing from yellow brown to 

pinkish brown or dar 7: brown, sometimes with 

,Y (ELAEOCARPACEAE) 

Sloanea berteriana Choisy 

darker brown stripes. The ~vood is very hard, 

heavy (specific vity 0.80), strong, and mediumtextured 

and f? as growvth ring and irregular 

pin. it is considered hard on tools, is c l d 

ns durable, and is susceptible to attack by drywood 

termites. Its rats of air-sensonin and 

amount of degra.de are moderate. Mac ining 

characteristics are as follows: planing, turning, 

mortising, and sanding are good ; shaping and baring 

are excellent; and resistance to screw splitting 

is poor. 

In Puerto Rico the mood has been used sparing- 

1 for furniture and SO in local construction and 

&r crossties. Lacking attnctiveness and uniform 

color for furniture and cnbinetwork, it is suitable 

construction, farm im lement parts, 

handles, ea duty flooring, and at parts. 

Forests of t e lower mountain regions of Puerto 

heq T L 

Rim. A dominant tree in the rain forest, usually 

growing.in the moist ravines and becoming an 

emergent tree in the u per sto of the forest. 

PUBLIC mwurs.-&rite, ?hiuilarte, Luquillo, 

Toro Nep. 

RANGE.--H~S aniola, Puerto Rico, and Lesser 

Antilles from d t. Icitts to Martinique. 

OTHER COMMON NAMEB.---cncno 

R 

motillo, cacaillo, 

cacao roseta, cacaotillo, roseta (Puerto Rim) ; ca- 

cao cimam5n (Dominican Republic) ; petit cow, 

chltaignier petit cam, cocoyer (Gundeloupe, 

Martinique) . 

Another species (Sloanea am ddina Griseb.) 

is rare in the mountain forest at if aricao Forest in 

the western Cordillera. This tree has smaller el- 

liptic leaves with blades 21h-6 inches long, blunt 

or notched at apex, fewer flowers usually single or 

no more than 3 together, and smaller seed capsules 

B/g-1 inoh long, densely covered with short spines 

'/la inch long. It is native also in Hispaniola and 

Cuba but mas not listed from Puerto Rlco by Brit- 

ton and Wilson.

149. Motillo 

Two-thirds natural stzc.

MALLOW FAMILY (MALVACEAE) 

Key to the 3 species Illustrated (Nos. 150452) 

A. Leaves with mostly 11 or 9 main veins from base; petioles and lower leaf surfnceii densely covered wlth whithhgray 

star-shaped hairs; flowers with yellow petals, tunling orange and reddish with age-150. Hibkrcue 

tiliacetie.* 

&I. Leaves with mostly 7 main veins from base, petiolca and blades with scattered minute scalee. 

B. Leaves abruptly long- or short-pointed at apex; flowers wlth red petals--1.51. Montcztcn~a apecioaiasima. 

BB. Leaves long-pointed at apex ; flowers with pale yellow petals, turning to purpl~lS2. Theepeefa populnea.* 

150, Ema jagua, sea hibiscus 

Hibiscus tiltaceus L.* 

This small tree or shr~~b is characterized by: sides ropes, fish nets, mats, and coarse cloth for- 

(1) long-petioled, heart-shaped and nearly round merly were made from the bnrk, which even could 

leaves 4-7 inches long nnd brmd, with mostly 11 be eaten in times of famine along with the roots 

or 9 main veins from base, shiny yellow pen and rrnd yo~~ng leaves. Also, the fiber has served for 

hairloss on upper snrfnce; (2) the young twigs, tying tobacco. The trees sprout from stumps and 

petioles, lower leaf surfaces, calyx, nnd seed cap- when cut back produce long vigorous shoots from 

sules densely covered mi th whitish-gray stnr- which quantities of ro$es can be made. Different 

shaped hairs; (3) widely spreading or prostrate 1):wts of the tree !have served in home medicines. 

crooked branches; (4) tho large funnel-shaped Also n honey plant. 

yellow flowers 34% inches long and broad, turn- Gromn as an ornnmentnl for the showy flowers. 

ing orange and recldish with age; and (5) theellip- The plants are easily proptt ated b cuttings and 

tic, ,my-green, hairy seed capsules 1-1% inches nro sttrrt ed in fence rows as 7 iving i" onceposts. In 

long, which split into 5 parts. 

coastal s\tT:lm s near mangroves, leaning trunks 

An evergreen tree attaining 10-20 feet in height, and branches orm roots in the mud and n~d buildwith 

a short crooked trunk to 6 inches in diameter in the land. 

and n broad crown. The bnrk is p y and smooth, 

the thin inner bark fibrous. The twigs have rings 

at nodes and become bro~vn and hairless in age. 

Lenves are alternate and ]lave petioles 2-5 inches 

in length. Leaf blades nrc! abruptly short- or longpointed 

at apes nncl heart-shaped nt base, with 

edges not toothed, nncl slightly thickened. There 

are 2 lnrge short-poi~~ted whitish hairy scales 

(stipules) 1-11/2 inchos long at base of leaf, soon 

shedding ancl leaving a ring scar. 

A few flowers are borne in terminal brnnching 

clusters (panicles or Internl near ends of twigs, 

ench on a whitish h airy stalk x-2 inches long. At, 

the base of a flower there is a yy-green hairy 

cup (involucre) Yi inch long wit 1 usually 9 or 10 

narrow pointed lobes. The calyx, also my-green 

hairy, is 1-1% inches Ion , tubular wit 5 narrow 

5 

% 

long-pointed lobes. Petn s 5 (greenish tinged in 

dried specimens), 21,/2-3% inches long, rounded 

1)ut broader on 1 side, with star-shaped hairs on 

outside. Numerous stamens nre on a column about 

3 inches long united with otnls at base. The 

pistil consists of a, densely f miry conical 5-celled 

ovary with long slender st,yle and '5 broad sti mas. 

The long-po~ntecl seed cnpsr~les split and f renlr 

open the calyx and involncre which remain attached. 

There are many brownish-black seeds 

l/s+!/le inch long. Flower~ng and fruiting through 


~ lsapwood e is whitish, t~sd heartwood is dark 

greenish brown. The wood is moderately soft, 

porous, and moderately heavy (specific gravity 

0.6). Used chiefly for fuel, somet~mes elsewhere 

for floats or as a cork substitute. 

An important use of tlle fibrous bnrk, mhicll 

cnn be peeled off in long strips, is for cordage. Be- 

f 

%ondsides, thickets, and swamp areas in the 

lower mountain regions of Puerto );Lice. Also in 

BIonn, Vieques, St. Thomas, and St. John. (Recorded 

long ago from St. Croiu.) 

Pun~xc FORESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Rio Abnjo, Toro Negro. 

R.\xa~.-Seashores throughout the tropics, 

probably of Old World ori in and nnturnlized in 

~lnierica. Southern Floric 4 n including Florida 

ICo s, Bermuda, and bhrou h West Indies from 

1311 i" lamas and Cuba to Trini f ad and Tobago. Also 

from IZexico to Peru and Brazil. 

OTIIER colrBrow xa3r~s.-majapa (Puerto Rico, 

Spnnish) ; dnmajagua Dominican Republic) ; 

inajnpn hembra (CubnJ ; mnjno Honduras) ; 

nlgodoncillo, mahoe (Panama) ; sea 6 ibiscus, linden 

hibiscus, tree hibiscus, mahoe United Stntes) ; 

mnhoe (English) ; seaside ma'oe dnmaim, Trinidad 

and Tobago) ; mahot (st. Vincent) ; blue 

mol~o, wild cotton (British Honduras) ; maho, 

liny~~vn (British Guiann) ; coton mnrron, mahaut 

franc (Haiti) ; bois flot, bois de lihge, grnnd mahot, 

mnl~ot gombo (Gundeloupe) ; bois flot (Martinique) 

; pariti (French Guiana) ; maho 

(Snrinnm) . 

BOTANICAL ~~~o~nr.-Parititim tiliaceum (L.) 

St.-Hil., Juss., & Camb. 

Tho S nnish common name mnjngun, of which 

the ~agyish name rnahoe is a corruption, is an 

A~nerican Indian word applied in tropical Americir 

to several unrelated trees with useful fibrous 

bnrlr. 

binhoe (HibZPacs e7aCus Sw. is a related large 

npltlnd tree native in Cuba and '1 amnicn and introclaced 

into Puerto Rim in experimental forest 

plnntntions. It has a tnll straight trunk and

150. hajngua, sea hiblscvs 


Rlbircue ttliaceus L. 

327

larger flowers about 4 inches long and brond. 

The petals are dark red at base, changing in color 

from pink to yellow and red. 

This genus is represented also by 10 or more 

species of native and introduced shrubs and herbs, 

MALLOW FAMII 

I*fagn, a widely planted native tree is easily recognized 

by its very large red spreading flowers 

331h inches long and 31/24 inches broad, with 5 

rounded overlapping petals. Though generally in 

flower, identification may be made also by : 1 the 

long-petioled heart-shaped leaves with 6)ades 

4V2-g inches long and 66% inches broad and usually 

7 main veins from base; and (2) the nearly 

round pointed pen fruit 134-2 inches in 

diameter. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree becoming 30-50 

feet tall and f3-18 inches in trunk diameter, formerly 

larpr. The gray or brown bark is rough 

and relatively thick (4/2 inch), deeply furrowed 

on large trunks. Inner bark is light brown, fibrous, 

and slightly bitter. The stout, warty twig 

are green when young, turning brown; young 

twigs and other p n 

parts have scattered ml- 

nute brown scales. 

The alkrnnte leaves have yellow-peen petioles 

2-5 inches long. Leaf blades nre abruptly long- or 

short-pointed at apeq heart-shaped at base, with 

edges not toothed, slightly thickened, p n 

yellow ,men above and paler beneath. 

Flowers are solitary at leaf bases on stout stalks 

4-5s inches long, longer than petioles. Though 

several are formed on a twig, only 1 flower opens 

at a time. The cup-shaped reen calyx is about 

% inch long and broad, slig f tly thickened, shed- 

ding as a ring after flowering, with 3 narrow grean 

scales (bracts) Ys inch long at base falling from 

the bud. The 5 very large petals are 33% inches 

long and 2-3 inches broad, rounded but broader 

on 1 side, wibh minute star-shaped hairs on out- 

side. Stamens many, 3/le inch long, on a whitish 

column about 294 inches long united nt base with 

petals and shedding with them. The pistil is com- 

posed of a slightly conical yellow-pn ovary 

about % inch long and broad, 4- or 3-celled, slen- 

der white style 2% inches long, and 4 or i) yellow 

united stigmas inch long. 

The fruits are fleshy or lenthery, not splitting 

open. There are a few brown seeds 1/2 inch long, 

averaging abut 1,200 to the pound. They lose 

viability within a month. Flowering and fruiting 



is rich chocolate brown resembling old mahogany. 

The wood is rather hard, heavy (specific gravity 

0.7), he-textured, very durable, and very resist- 

or 

including the vegetable okra (Hibiscus es&ntua 

L.). Amapola or Chinese hibiscus (8. rosasinen& 

L.''') is a popular ornamental shrub with 

purple, rose, or white petals, introduced from 

tropical Asia. 

Montezuma speciosissima S d 

& Moc. 

ant to attack by dry-wood termites. A now scarce 

furniture wood used also occasionally for turnery, 

musical instruments, posts, and poles. 

This tree was formerly widely planted along 

roadsides and for timber in the public forests. As 

it proved to be an alternate host of the pink bollworm 

(Pectinophora gossq&eEla Saunders) , its 

lanting was discontinued in the cotton region. 

Eubsequent1y, propagation of this species has nearly 

terminnted except for landscaping. Forest 

plantings stopped when it was found that trees 

which at first grew straight and rapidly later nearly 

ceased growth, became excessive1 branchy, and 

produced numerous cankerlike d efects on the 

trunk. Trees in plantations on good soils in the 

moist limestone re ion averaged 3.6 inches in diameter 

at an age o f 9 years. Another objection to 

extensive planting even for the flowers is that the 

trees are ve susceptible to a scale insect which 

deforms trun '% and branches and sometimes causes 

death. In southern Florida and elsewhere the trees 

have been introduced for ornament and shade. 

This handsome tree is Puerto Rico's own a?d 

should be a candidate for adoption as the official 

tree. When originally described, it was confused 

with Mexican collections by the same Spanish 

botanists, and the range was erroneously Dven as 

Mexico. The scarcely appro riate name for this 

enus of a single species con En* MI to Puerto Rico 

Ronors Montezuma, Aztec ruler in Mexico at the 

time of the Spanish conquest in 1513, but the specific 

name means very beautiful. 

Native in the moist limestone forest region of 

Puerto Rico. Extensively planted on the humid 

coast, lower Cordillera, and lower Luquillo forest 

Cultivated also in St. Thomas. 

re$~~c m~m.-Wild and lanted in Cambalache, 

Guajataca, and Rio A E ajo. Planted in 

Carite, Luquillo, and Tom Negro. 

MUNIOWALITIE~ WHm EBPECIALLY COMMON.- 

49,53. 

Ra~a~.-Native only in Puerto Rico. Planted 

in St. Thomas, Dominican Re ublic, Cuba, Jamaica, 

southern Florida, and B ritish Honduras, 

and perhaps elsewhere. 

OTHER COMBION NA~.-maga colorada (Puerto 

u le haiti-haiti (St. Thomas) ; tulipfin 

f:BEY&t'n ~ominican Republic). 

BOTANIUAL s~~o~~~s.-Theap&a qmndijkra 

DC., Nontezztm& mndifEora (DC.) Urban, Maga 

gmndifbra (DC.~ urban.

151. Maga 


Alostezuma speciostesima Sew5 & Moc. 

329

MALLOW FAMILY (MALVACEAE) 

152. Emajagiiilla, otaheita, portiatree Thespesia populnea (L.) Soland." 

This tree or shrub of coastal woods, also planted 

for ornament and shade, is characterized by,: (1) 

large bell-shaped flowers 2 inches long and road, 

\\*it11 5 overlapping petals, ale yellow but turning 

to purple, single at leaf ases; (2) dark gray, 

rounded but flattened, slightly 5-ridged, hard, dry 

fruits about 11/4 inches or more in diameter and 

% inch high; (3) long-petioled,. long-pointed, 

deeply heart-shaped, dark green sh~ny leaves with 

blades 4-8 inches long and 2%-5 inches broad, 

wit11 usually 7 main reins from base; and (4) 

tough fibrous bark. 


inches in trunk diameter with dense crown, the 

long spreading lower bmnches of crowded plants 

forming dense thickets. The bark is gray and 

slightly fissured, becoming thick and rough. Inner 

bark is yellomish and fibrous. The stout twigs are 

peen and covered with very smpll brown scales 

\\.hen young, becoming gray. P~tioles, leaf blades, 

flower stalks, calyx, and fruits have scattered 

minute inconspicuous brown scales also. 

The alternate leaves have petioles 2-4 inches 

long. Leaf blades are slightly thickened and 

leathery, lighter beneath, not toothed on edges. 

Flowers lateral on a tvig, opening 1 at a time, 

on stout stalks shorter than petioles, Y2-2 inches 

long. The cup-shaped peen calyx i~ about 3/s 

inch high and y2 inch across, remaining at bm 

of fruit, with 3-5 narrow green scales (bracts) 1, 

inch or more in length on outside, fallin from the 

bud. The broad, rounded, oblique petit s 2 inches 

or mare in le?@ll are pale yel!ow, purplish at 

base and turnlng to purple, with mlnute starshz~ped 

hairs on outside. Stamens many, on a 

column 1 inch long joined to petals at base. Tho 

pistil has a 5-celled ovary with slender style and 

fi broader stigmas. 

The fruits, which remain attached for some time 

but do not split open, contain several brown hairy 

seeds about s! inch long and 1/4 inch broad. Flowering 

and fruiting from spring to fall. 

The sapwood is light brown, and the lleartwoocl 

chocolate brown. The mood is moderately soft, 

mediumweight, durable, and takes a fine polish. 

\ 

f 

It is classed as resistant to attack from dry-wood 

termites. Used in boatbuilding and for fuel and 

else~vhere in cabinetwork. 

Rope has been made from the tough fibrous 

bark. It is reported that the flowers are eaten as 

food and that the fruit is employed medicinally 

for the treatment of skin eruptions. 

Planted as a street tree and ornamental and living 

fencepost. However, this tree is a host of the 

cotton stainer, a red insect which stains the fibers 

of growing cotton, and is eradicated in West 

Indian islands where cotton is an important crop. 

For this reason, the elimination of this tree from 

cotton areas of Puerto Rim has been advocated, 

ancl further propagation has been discouraged. 

Coastal woods and thickets along seashores and 

borders of mangrove in Puerto Rim. Also in 

Mona, Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. 

John. 

Rawa~.-7l~idelg distributed on tropical shores, 

believed to be native in the Old World tropics and 

planted and naturalized elsewhere. Southern 

Florida including Florida Keys (planted also in 

California), Bermu.da, and throu hout West 

Indies from Bahamas and Cuba to P rinidad and 

Tobago. Also occasionally cultivated in continental 

tropical America from southern Mexico (Yucatiin) 

and British Honduras to Brazil and Chile. 

OTIIER COJIXON ~~31~s.-majagiiilla, frescura, 

jnquecn, palo de jaqueca, clamor, santa maria 

(Puerto Rico) ; haiti-haiti (Virgin Islands) ; 

hlamo, dlamo blanco (Dominican Re ubhc) ; 

majngun de Florida (Cuba) ; freseura r~icaragun) 

; clemcin, algod6n de monte (Colombia) ; 

cremdn (Venezuela) ; macoi (Chile) ; portiatree, 

seaside mahoe (United State) ; seas~de mahoe 

(English) ; cork-tree, Spanish-cork (Bahamas) ; 

John-Bull-tree (Jamaica, Bequia) ; mahot bordcle-iner 

(St. Lucia) ; tuliptree, mahault de Londres 

(Trinidad) ; Spanish-cork, cork-tree (British 

Honduras) ; beach maho, maho (British Guiana) ; 

gr6s mahaut (Haiti) ; catalpa (Gundeloupe) ; 

otaheita, palu santu (Dutch West Indies) ; boschkatoen 

(Surinam).

Natural size. 

Thespcsfa populnca (I,.) Soland. 

33 1

BOMBAX FAMILY (BOMBACACEAE) 

Key to the 3 native species, all illustrated (Nos. 153-155) 

A. Leaves digitate (palmate), with 6-8 lance-shaped or oblong leafleblli3. Ceiba pentandra. 

AA. Laves simple. 

B. Leaves with 5-9 main veins from base-154. Ochronla pyramidale. 

BB. Leaves with 1 main vein or midrib-If%. Qrtararibaea turbinata. 

153. Ceiba, silk-cotton-tree Ceiba pentundra (It.) Gaertn. 

This giant tree, one of the largest in. tropical 

America, is easily reco ized by the massive grn - 

Y i 

green or gray smoothis 1 trunk (spiny when smal ) 

which reaches an enormous size of 5-8 feet or more 

in diameter above the unusually large narrow buttresses 

and by the very broad flat crown of horizontal 

branches. Other distinguishing characteristics 

are: 1) the palmately com ound leaves 

(digitate) o 1 5-8 lance-shaped or o 1 

long leaflets 

3-8 inches long, drooping from the end of a Ion 

petiole; (2) numerous spreading 5-parted whitis B 1 

to pink flowers 1%-11/2 inches low and broad ; and 

(3) oblong or elli tic seed crpsuL 3-6 inches or 

more in length an $ 2 inches in diameter, containing 

many seeds and woolly hairs, the kapok of 

commerce. 

Ceiba is a rapidly growing deciduous tree becoming 

80 feet or more in height. The b~ttresses, 

6-12 inches thick, extend horizontally out from 

the trunk over the large roots as much as 10 feet 

and almost as high. Many stout conical spin~q 

Y8-1 inch long are present on brnnches and small 

trunks but are mostly absent on large trunks. Tho 

thick inner bark is light brown and almost tastaless. 

The thin crown is commonly broader than 

the hei 11t of the tree. Twigs are stout, green at 

tip, an d becoming gray. 

Leaves are alternate, with slender green petioles 

3-9 inches long. The leaflets hang down on short 

stalks y8-9/8 inch long and are 3-8 inches long and 

3/4-13! inches broad, short-pointed at base and 

apex, not toothed on ed es, thin, above bright 

green to dark peen, and enenth dull pen. 

Great quantities of flowers are produced in la- 

teral clusters near the ends of twis in winter or 

early spring (December to February) though not 

every year, often while the tree is leafless. Flower 

stalks are 1-11h inches long. The calyx is cup- 

shaped, about % inch long and broad, with 6-10 

shallow teeth. The 5 petals are about 1% inches 

long, whit.ish to rose colored, and densely brown 

silkg hairy on the outer surface. Five stamens, 

longer than the petals, are united into a column 

near the base. The pistil consists of 5-celled ovary, 

a long style curved near apex, and enlarged stigma. 

Seed capsules mature in spring and summer, 

splitting open along 5 lines. Man rounded black 

seeds less than 1/5 inch long (a g out 3,200 to a 

pound) are imbedded in a dense mass of grny 

woolly hairs. 

The mood is very light brown but nearly al- 

ways turned to blue gray by sap-staining fungi, 

& 

the sap\vood almost the same color and not readily 

distinguished. It is very soft, exceedingly lightweight 

(specific gravity 0.23), weak, coarse-textured, 

and straight-grained. The rate of air-seasoning 

and amount of degrade are moderate. The 

wood machines easily but not satisfactorily. Machining 

characteristics are as follows : planing, 

sanding, and resistance to screw splitting are excellent; 

shaping and boring are poor; turning is 

very poor; and mortising is fair. Logs and lumber 

are very susceptible to attack by insects and decay. 

However, blue-stain can be prevented by dipping 

the lumber in a fungicide solution soon after 

sawing. 

The mood is seldom used in Puerto Rico although 

sometimes has served for interior sheathing. 

It resembles heavier grades of balsa 

(.gupno) but is twice as strong and could be used 

similarly. It is suitable for boxes, slack cooperage, 

toys, light construction, pattarnmaking, and 

utility-grade plywood. Because it is easily worked 

and in spite of lack of durability, the wood has 

been emplo ed for tubs and basins. Indians made 

drums of t f, e n~od and hollowed out the trunks 

for dugout canoes of large size. 

Trees are occasionally planted for shade and 

ornament, and young cut branches or cuttings will 

root mhen planted. In many tropical towns a 

giant spreading ceiba occupies the center of the 

plaza. Classed as a valuable honey plant. It is 

re orted that the leaves are edible mhen cooked. 

kapok, the \voolly or silky hair from the seed 

pods, is an important product of this species. The 

harvest is mainly from planted trees in Java and 

the Philippines. A growing tme produces about 

600-900 seed capsules or &9 pounds of clean floss 

annually. This fiber is fine, lightweight, and elastic 

and does not become matted under pressure. 

Because of these characteristics and its insulating 

qualities, kapok is preferred for linings of sleeping 

bags and mas a strategic material in the last 

war. Another use is for life preservers. In man 

places kapok has been used locally in stu5ng 

low-s and mattresses, and commercial development 

has been s~iqgestod where the trees are sufficiently 

common. The fiber is brittle and inflammable and 

not suitable for spinning into threads. An oil 

suitable for making soap and illumination has bean 

extracted from the seeds. 

Ceiba is scattered and widely distributed in 

Pllerto Rico along river banks and open hillsides 

on the coastal plain and in the lower mountain

1s. CeIba, silk-cotton-tree 


Cdbu penlandru (I*) Gaertn. 

333

egions and is commonest in the drier, southern (English) ; cotton-tree (British Honduras) ; 

nrens. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. kl~mnka (Brit is11 G~lit~nn) ; mapou (Haiti, Gunde- 

John, and Tortoln. 

lol~~~e) ; fromagor (co~nmerce, Gunclelou e, Mar- 

PUBI,IC ~on~s~s.~nmbalache, Guajataca, Lu- tin~que, Frencll Guinnn) ; bois coton, &apokier 

guillo, Rio Abnjo, Snn Juan, Susbn, Tom Negro, (French Guinnn) ; kntoenboom, katunbom, ka ok- 

Vegn. 

boom, silk-cotton-tree (Dutch TVest Indies) ; kn- 

RASGE.-Nearly throughout West Indies from kantrie, knddo bnkkoe (Surinam) ; sumauma, mai 

Cuba and Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago. In- clns nrvores, cyybn, mocmayn (Brnzil). 

troduced in Uorlnuda and Bahamas nnd planted ROTASICAI. susosl-1x6.-Bornbnx pen tandrunt 

also in souti~ern Florida and California. Widely I,., Cciba an f ractuosa (DC.) Jfnza. 

distributed from bIexico to Ecuador, Brazil, and Some authors have separated the New World 

(hianas. Also in tropical A£ricn and Asia. trees from those of the Old TTTorld as a variety or 

OTIIE~ colrlros saar~s.-k a p o k (V i r g i n species (Ceiba yentnndra (L.) Gaertn. mr. cari- 

Islnnds) ; ceiba, ceibo (Span~sh, commerce) ; baen (DC.) Bnkl~., C. caribaea (DC.) A. Cher., C. 

pochote (IZexico, Central1 America) ; bongo, cot- occidenfalts (Spreng.) Burkill). The Spanish 

ton-tree (Panama) ; ceibn de lnna, bonga, ceiba nncl generic nnlnes are from an old Cnr~bbean 

de Garzcin (Colombia) ; silk-cotton-tree, kapok word \vhich is said to mean boat. 

BOMBAX FAMILY (BOMBACACEAE) 

154. Guano, balsa 

Ochroma pyramidale (Cav.) Urban 

Bnlsn, n very rapidly growing tree known in with its 5-celled, conical ovary, long style 434 

Pucrto Rico as guano, is easily recognized by : (1) inches in length, nnd 5 spirally twisted stigmns. 

an open crown of n few cotuse spreading branches; The seed cnpsules are 10-angled and grooved and 

(2) smooth pinkish-grt~y bark; (3) large, nearly split into 5 pnrts to expose a mass of tawny-brown, 

round, 11eart-shaped lenves 8-16 inches long and Ion soft hails, in ~vllicll mnny small dark brown 

broad wit11 7-0 mniu veins speacling from base see cf' s l/g inch long nre loosely imbedded. Flowers 

(palmately veined) ancl with long petioles; (4) appearing from minter to summer, and fruits and 

the large, tubular bell-shaped, whitish and green- seeds mature in s ring and summer. 

ish flowers 5 inches long, with 5 petals, borne Balsa is the lig I' ltest of commercial woods, meighsin 

ly; and (5) the ocld dark brown cylindricnl ing less than cork. However, the Puerto Rican 

seec 7 capsules 7-10 inches long and 1-1s inches guano (specific g-nvity 0.22) is heavier than balsa 

in diameter, covered with light brown ~-ool after of major colnmercial sources. The sapwood, the 

opening. 

~nnin source, is ~vhitisll, often with yellowish or 

A medium-sizecl to large evergreen tree, beconl- pinkish hue, and the heartwood is pale brom or 

ing 50-80 feet in height and 295 feet in trunk recldisll tinged. The wood is very soft, weak, and 

diameter, wit11 sligllt. buttresses when large. Inner has very coarse, straight, uniform grain. It is 

bark is fibrous, pinkish, % inch or less in thick- absorbent unless treated (frequently with parafness. 

Tlle twigs are stout., % inch in diameter, fin) warps badly, and uires very sharp tools to 

greenish, rusty-brown hai when young, mith o r . Also it is perisha 

large brownish lenf scars an 7 

"b le, decays and becomes 

thick pith. 

discolored readily, and is very susceptible to attack 

The alternate leaves hnve stout reddish- tinged by dry-wood termites. The rnte of air-sensoning 

petioles about as long as the blades and 2 bronc1 and amount of degrade are moderate. Machining 

rounded scales (stipnles) v2 inch long at base. characteristics are as follorvs: planing is go?d; 

Leaf blndes nre short.- oinled or slightly 3-pointed shaping is poor; turning, boring, and mortis~ng 

(sometimes 5-pointa 7 ), edges most1 without :ire very poor; sanding IS fair; and resistance to 

teeth, slightly thickened, green and i airless on screw splitting is excellent. 

ilpper sl~rface tuld yellow peen mith minute star- nalsn wood was n strntegic material in the Secshnped 

hnirs on lower surface. Young plants have ond TVorld Jlrar, being employed chiefly for lifevery 

large leaves with blndes as much as 2 feet rnfts, lifebolts, and similar equipment, and in nirlong 

and broad. 

plnne construction. The best grades mere used in 

Tho flowem nre forme

154. Guano, balsa 


Ochroma puranifdaae (Cav.) Urban 

335

suitable for certain types of fruit and vegetable 

containers, novelties, toys, and temporary forms. 

The Spanish common name balsa, meaning raft 

and perhaps of aboriginal ori n, is associated 

with the use of the buoyant logs y the Indians for 

rafts. 

The woolly or silky hairs of the seed capsules are 

employed for stuffing pillows and mattresses, bein& 

similar to the ka ok fibers of commerce obtamed 

from the relate5 tree, oeiba. It is reported 

that these fibers have been used also in felt hats. 

Ropes have been made from the fibrous bark, which 

also contains tannin. 

The trees are sometimes grown as ornamentals 

for the lar e leaves and large flowers, such as in 

southern F f orida. 

Scattered in the moist coast, moist limestone, and 

lower mountain regions of Puerto Rico. Requiring 

full sunlight, it is confined to open areas, such 

ns roadsides, clearings, and cutover forests where 

the wind-borne seeds are widely distributed. Germination 

is rapid, especially following fire. Trees 

attain mature size within 6-10 years, sometimes 

averaging 10 feet in height owth a year. 

PUBLIU FOREBTB.-~&~~& r' ache, Carite, Guajatam, 

Luquillol Rio Abajo, Susba. 

R~~a~.-Widely distributed in tropical America 

with minor variations distinguished as species by 

155. Garrocho - 

This small tree is limited to dee shade of moist 

forests and characterized by: (17 straight erect 

trunk and axis with horizontal branches attached 

in circles of 5 or 4 together at the same point; (2) 

elliptic leaves 3-9 inches long and 1%4 inches 

broad, short-petioled, slightly thickened, strongly 

odorous when dry; (3) lateral whitish funnelshaped 

flowers s/4 inch long, mostly sin le and almost 

stalkless at base of leaves; and (47 rounded, 

orange, Aeshy fruits s/4 inch in diameter. 

An everpn tree becoming 20 feet in height 

and 6 inches in trunk diameter; The branches, attached 

in whorls about 1%-2 feet apart along the 

axis, are distinctive of this genus. The graybrown 

bark is smoothish but finely warty. Inner 

bark is yellowish and slightly bitter. Twigs are 

brown, with faint rings where leaves are borne. 

The alternate leaves have etioles j/q-% inch 

long. Blades are short-pointe ! at both ends, without 

teeth on edges, dark green and slightly shiny 

with sunken lateral veins on upper surface and 

dull yellow green beneath. At base of young 

leaves is a pair of narrow pointed gray scales 

(stipules) s/16 inch long, - which shed early, leaving . a ring scar. 

The flowers are attached on very short stalks 

along the twip, bear minute star-shaped hairs, and 

have a pecullar odor. The narrow green calyx 

tube is 3 -1/2 inch long slightly and irregularly 

2- or 3-10 ed; there are 5 spreading whitish petab 

t 

some authors. Greater Antilles and Lesser An- 

tilles from St. Kitts to Grenada, and Trinidad and 

Tobago. Also from southern Mexico to Ecuador, 

Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Planted also in south- 

ern Florida and Dutch West Indies. 

BOTANIOAL BYNONYMB.-OC~TO~IUI bh0h b- 

lee, 0. boliviana Rowlee, 0. grandifira Rowlee, 0. 

lagopus Sw. 0. Zagop var. biooEor (Rowlea 

Standl. & Ekegerm., 0. Zim~nenais. Rowlee, d. 

ob twa Rowlee, 0. permvimna Johnst., 0. tomentosa 

Willd., 0. welutina Rowlee. 

(BOMB ACACEAE) 

Quararibaea turbinata (Sw.) Poir. 

more than 1/2 inch long; stamen column s/s inch 

lonq, with many anthers clustered at apex; and 

pistil with 2- or 3-celled ovary, slender style, and 

enlarged stigma inside the stamen column. 

The rounded, orange fleshy fruits are sli htly 

broader than long, with calyx remaining at % ase, 

and have 1 or 2 large seeds. Flowers are produc~d 

chiefly in s ring (February to May), and hts mature slig !I tly later (February to July). 

The sapwood is whitish and hard. The wood is 

little used in Puerto Rim. Formerly the stems 

were used for goad sticks, as the Spanish common 

name indicates. Because of the peculiar branching, 

small stems could serve as hatracks. 

An understory tree of the moist coast, moist 

limestone, and lower mountain regions of Puerto 

Rico. Also Vieques, St. John, and St. Croix. Rediscovered 

in St. Croix in 1954, more than 150 

years after an earlier collection there. 

PUBLIC ~o~~s~s.-Cambalache, Guajataca, Luquillo, 

Rio Abajo. 

MUNICIPALITY WHERE ESPBCIALLY COMXON.-~~. 

RANGE.-His aniola, Puerto Rico, Vi ues, St. 

John, and St. 8 roix, and Lssser Antilles "S rom St. 

Eustatius, St. Kitts and Antigua to Grenada. 

Also recorded from Burinam. 

OTHER 

COMMON NA=.-palo de garrocha, asu- 

billo (Puerto Rico) ; molinillo (Dominican Re- 

public) ; swizzle-stick-tree (Lesser Antilles) ; 

millerwood (St. Eustatius) .

Two-thirds natural sire. 

Vuararibaea turbtnata (Sm.) Pol?. 

337

CHOCOLATE FAMILY (STERCULIACEAE) 

Key to the 3 species illustrated (Nos. 15tLlSS) 

& Leave8 deeply 6-lobed, with 6 main veins from heart-shaped base ; petiole nearly ns long aa blade--157. Btmlb 

apetola.. 

AA. Lenves not lobed. 

B. Lenves mith 3 or sometimes 6 main veins from the oblique bnse, with edges finely saw-toothed-166. Guazumu 

ulnilfoolia. 

BB. Leave8 with 1 main vein or midrib, not toothed on edges-168. Theobromu cacao.. 

156. Guiicima, jacocalalu Guazumg ulmifolia Lam. 

T' 

This tree is reco ized by: (1) long widely 

spreading branches, iorizontal or slightly drooping, 

with the alternate leaves in 2 rows in a flattened 

arrangement ; (2) bark becoming furrowed 

ilnd rough or sligl~tly shag ; (3) young twigs 

covered with minute rusty- f' romn or light gray 

star-shnped hnirs; (4) the ovate to lance-shaped 

leaves 21/24 inches long and 1-2% inches wlde, 

long-pointed, finely saw-toothed, and with 3 or 

sometimes 5 main veins from the rounded oblique 

base; (5) small brown-tinged yellow 5-parted 

flowers in clusters at bnse of loaves; and (6) fruit 

round to elliptic, hard, very warty, black, s/8-1 

inch long. . - 

A s~nnll to medium-sized tree to 50 feet high and 

2 feet in trunk diameter, with spreading r6;mded 

crown. Tlie bnrk is grny or pay brown, j/4 inch 

or more in thickness. Inner bark is light brown, 

fibrous, and slightly bitter. Evergreen except in 

areas wit.11 long dry seasons. The long slender 

twigs become dark brown. 

The slender petioles G-l/z inch long are covered 

\\-it11 minute rusty-brown or light gray star-shaped 

Iinirs. Lenf blades are thin, nearly hairless or 

sometimes densely hairy, green on upper surface 

and paler beneath. At night the leaves hang 

vertically. 

nrnnched flower clusters (panicles) are 1-2 

inches long at bnse of leaves and bear many small, 

slightly fragn~nt flowers on minutely hairy stalks. 

Tlie spreading flowers are about s/s inch long and 

htllf as broad, consisting of a 2- or 3-lobed rustybrown 

or light p y hairy calyx less than 348 inch 

long, turned back and then greenish, 5 yellow 

petals each with a slender 2-forked appendage, add 

yellowish stamen column with about 15 anthers 

surroundin the pistil, composed of hairy light 

peon 5-cel f ed ovary, style, and 5 united stigmas. 

The warty seed capsules, which mature in fall 

and winter, are 5-celled, open at the apex or irregularly 

by pores, and contain many seeds inch 

long. Flowering from spring to fall (March to 

October) and with fruits throughout the year. 

This is a variable species with differences in 

sliape and amount of hairiness in the leaves and 

in slitlpe nnd method of opening of seed capsules. 

Some botanists distinguish 2 species, both widely 

distributed with almost the same range and both 

occurring in Puerto Rico. Trees in moist areas 

have nearly hnirless foliage with rusty-brown 

hairs, ~vliile those in dry areas have densely light 

p y hairy foliage a d have been separatad ns s 

different s ecies (G. tomentosa H. B. K.). 

Sapwoo f; is light brown nnd heartwood is pinkish 

to brownisli. The wood is moderntely soft, 

lightwoiglit~ to moderately heavy (specific gravity 

O.5), easily worked, and not durable. It is very 

susce tible to attack by dry-mood termites. 

In 6 ucrto Rico the wood is used chiefly for posts. 

Various uses of tlie wood elsewhere include genoi%l 

cnrpentry, interior construction, furniture, 

barrel staves, boxes and crates, tool handles, gunstocks, 

shoe lasts, violins, and clmrcoal for gunpowder. 

The trees sometimes serve as shade in pastures. 

Immature fruits and foliage are browsed by 

lio~ses and cattle, especially in dry periods, and the 

fluits are fed to hog. These ~nucilaginous green 

fruits, fresh or cooked, are edible, and it is re- 

ported that a beverage cnn be prepared by soak- 

ing tlie crushed fruits in water. In some areas 

rope nnd twine are made from the tough fibrous 

bnrk and young stems. The flowers attract bees 

and tire a source of honey. Different parts of the 

pllint are employed in home medicines. 

This s ecies is characteristic of openings, stream 

banks, c f earings, and second owth of disturbed 

:mas and is less common in !r orests. It requires 

light, grows rnpidl and is hardy in dry as well 

ns molst arens. T~US, it has been classed as a 

weed tree. It is re orted to be one of the com- 

monest and most mi A' ely distributed tree s ecies in 

Cuba and one of the commonest plants o Central 

America. 

Along stream courses and in thickets, pastures, 

and forests in the coastal and lower rnountnin regions 

of Puerto Rico. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, 

St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

PUBLIO ~REBTB.-A irre, Cnmbalache, Gunjatncal 

Qurinicn, Luqul (i" lo, Marictlo, Rio Abajo, 

Susua. 

~~UNICIP~ZLITIES WHERE EBPECIALLY COMMON.- 

8, 21, 66. 

R,ZNQE.-Throughout West Indies except Bahamas) 

from Cuba to Trinidad and obago and 

cultivated in Dutch West Indies. Also from 

bfexico to Ecuadorl Peru, northern Argentina, 

Para yay, and Bm~l. 

OTHFJ~ C03f3fON NAB~ES.-@.C~~~, ylhim0 

(Spanish) ; guicirna cimarronlr Domimcan Re- 

public) ; guhcima de caballo ( b uba) ; tablote, 

& 

P

156. Gudcima, jacocalalu 


Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. 

339

d d 7 

majagua de toro (Mexico ; tapaculo Guatamal 

El Salvador) ; caulote ( uatemala, onduras, E 

Salvador, Colombia) ; contarnal (Guatamala) ; chichar& 

(El Salvador) ; pacimlllo (Nicaragua) ; 

iicimo blanco (Costa Rwa) ; &io de ternero 

Y Panama) ; iurnanasi, papayi T' lo (Peru) ; coco 

(Bolivia) ; camb6-acl, nzuma (Argentina) ; 

bastard-cedar (Jamaica, Rnidad) ; bols d'orme, 

West-Indian-elm (Trinidad) ; pigeon-wood (Tobago) 

; bay-cedar, caulote, pixoy (British Hon- 

duras) ; bois d'orme, onne d'Am6rique (French) ; 

bois de hatre hgtre gris, h6tre vert, mahot-h6tre 

(Guadelou ej ; gaeaazoema (Dutch West Indies) ; 

mutamba ( f3 ranl) . 

BOTANICAL SYNONYIIIB. - f7uazu~na gwum (L.) Cockerell, 8. tomentosa H. B. K., B. uZmifolk 

var. tomentosa (H. B. K. K. Schurn. 

The common name jacomla 1 u, applied to this 

species in St. Thomas, is said to be rm African 

word for an edible plant like spinach. 


157. Anacagiiita, panama-tree Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) Karst.* 

This large and handsome, introduced shade tree 

is distin ished by: (1) a dense broad spreadin 

crown; 6 the abundant foliage of long-petioledj 

broad, deeply &lobed, pleated leaves with thick 

and leathery blades 8-12 inches long and wide; 

(3) large clusters of many bell-shaped yellowish 

flowers tinged with red or purple, 5-lobed and 

about 8/8 inch long and 8/q inch across; and (4) the 

large, dark brown, hard, dry fruits, each of 5 or 

fewer spreading pods 24/2-31/2 inches long, openin 

widely to release the large black seeds and cover d 

within with stiff needlelike bristles, which penetrate 

and irritate the skin. 

An evergreen tree to 50 feet high. The trunks 

are commonly 3 feet or more in diameter, developing 

narrow prominent buttresses taller than broad. 

The bark is smooth and gray or brown. Inner 

bark is orange brown, gritty, and tasteless. Young 

twigs, flowers, and youn leaves are thickly covered 

with brown, much- f ranched or star-shaped 

hairs. Older twigs are stout and light gray, with 

lap, nearly round leaf scars. 

he alternate leaves hare round yellow-green 

petioles 5-8 inches or more in length. Blades have 

5 main veins from the heart-shaped base (palmately 

lobed), the lobes ovate and short-pointed, not 

toothed on edges. The green and slight1 shiny 

upper surface becomes almost hairless, w lile the 

gray to brownish-green lower surface is densely 

woolly with minute star-shaped hairs. 

Branched flower clusters (panicles) about 8 

inches long are borne near the ends of twigs. The 

numerous flowers are partly male or female and 

partly bisexual (polygamous), with a 5-lobed 

calyx but have no etals. Stamens and pistil are 

P 

borne at the end o a stalk f/4-3/8 inch long, with 

7-15 anthers on a very short tube, and the woolly 

pistil, when present, consisting of a 5-celled ovary 

Y8 inch in diameter and a st le of the same length 

but curved downward. ~iere are 2-5 elliptic 

9 

seeds s/q inch long in each pod (follicle), maturing 

usually in spring. Flowering in spring and occasionally 

in summer and fall. 

The sapwood is whitish, and the heartwood light 

brown to reddish brown. The wood is lightweight 

(specific parity 0.30-.45), soft, spongy, fibrous, 

coarse-textured, and has growth rings. It works 

easily but discolors rapidly and is susceptible to 

decay. Possible uses are interior construction and 

packing boxes. Lar e trunks have been hollowed 

Into dugout canoes ekwhere. 

The principal value of this species is for shade 

and ornament, since the wood is seldom used. It 

is reported that the edible seeds when pound can 

be made into a beverage and when roasted taste 

like peanuts. Pigs eat the seeds also. Flowers, 

leaveq and bark have been employed in home 

medicmes. Also a honey lant. 

Individual trees have ie en planted for shade 

and ornament in various parts of Puerto Rico and 

in St. Thomas and perhaps others of the Virgin 

Islands, but the species is not native. This spec~es 

is honored as the national tree of the Republic of 

Panama and as the origin of that country's name. 

RANGE.-Southern Mexico and Central America 

to Peru and Brazil. Naturalized in Jamaica and 

Trinidad. Planted in southern Florida, Cuba, 

Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, and 

elmhere in the tropics. 

OTHER COMMON NAICEB.--B~~C~~U~~ (Dominican 

Republic) ; chicha (commerce) ; anacagiiita, 

camaruca (Cuba) ; bellota (Mexico, Guatemala) ; 

castado (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador) ; 

panam& (Central America) ; camajur6, camajonduro 

(Colombia) ; camoruco, pata de danta, sunsGn, 

cacalto, cacaguillo (Venezuela) ; panama-tree 

(English) ; pistache des Indes (Haiti). 

BOT~NICAL s~~~rnx.--StercuZia: carthaginensis 

Cav.


Sterculia apefala (Jacq.) Karst. 

341


158. Cacao, chocolate-tree Theobroma cacao L.* 

Cacao, the source of cocoa and chocolate, is a seeds to a pound. Flowering in summer and fall. 

small cultivated tree characterized by: (1) low F,ruits mature chiefly in sprin and summer. 

spreading crown; (2) large elliptic or oblon The light brown, hard woocfis not used in Puerleaves 

hanging downward, 8-14 inches long an fi to Rico. 

21/241/2 inches broad, long-pointed, broadest above Cacao is planted widely in wet tropical regions 

middle, and rounded at base; (3) many flomeibs in for its seeds or "beans," from which cocoa and 

clusters along trunk, branches, and larger twigs, cl~ocolate are prepared by grinding and roasting. 

1 to several on slender pink stalks 3/4-1 inch long, It is one of the best known cultivated plants origioddly 

star-shaped, 5-parted, and spreading? e/s nating in the New TVorld. The Spanish Conqmsinch 

across, whitish, tinged with orange and pink ; tadores found it already being cultivated by the 

and (4) the large oblong or egg-shaped, yellow or Mexican Indians. Besides the main use in Mexico 

purplish, fleshy fruits 6-12 inches long and 3-4 for preparing drinks, the seeds served the natives 

inches thick, pointed, ridged and grooved, and as money. Sweetened chocolate now is an imhanging 

downward from trunk. 

portant Ingredient of candies and desserts as well 

This evergreen tree, cultivated under larger as a popular beverage. Cacao (cocoa) powder and 

shade trees, becomes 25 feet high and 6 inches in s rup from the seeds are official in the United 

trunk diameter. The dark bromn bark is fis- gates ~l~armaco~oeia, serving as a flavoring agent 

sured and rough, and inner bark is li llt brown and concentrated nutriment. 

and tasteless. The twigs are brown an d minutely In active 'and abandoned coffee plantations, 

hair when young. 

chiefly in the west- part of the lower mountain 

TK~ alternate leaves hang down from petioles regions of Puerto Rico. Cacao is planted to a 

1,-1 incli Ion . Blades are slightly thickened, not limited extent also in St. Croix. 

toothed on ef ges, green or dark green on upper R~~c~.-Native of southern Mexico and Censurface 

and paler beneath. 

tral America and spread by cultivation south to 

Flowers have 5 narrow, pointed, widely spread- Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Introduced and planted 

ing pink sepals % inch long; 5 petals 1/4 inch long, tl~rougl~out the IVest Indies, mostly on a small 

hood-shaped at base, with a very narrow middle 

part bent backward, and spoon-shaped at apex ; 5 

scale. Propagation worldwide in moist tropical 

short stamens united into a cup at base and with regions. 

narrow lobes I/a inch high ; and pistil com- &~mc COMMOX NAMES.--cacao (Spanish) ; 

pose ve2' of 5-celled ovary, style, and stigma. cacao, cocoa, cllocolate-tree (English) ; cacao, 

In the large 5-celled fruits are many large cacaoyer (French) ; caciio, cacateiro (Brazil). 

chocolate-colored or purplish seeds 1 inch or mom Several cultivated varieties have been given dein 

length and bitter tastmg. There are about 200 scriptive common names.

158. Cacao, chocolatetroe 

087-921 G O 6 2 3 


Theobronra cacao L. 

343

DILLENIA FAMILY (DILLEMACEAE) 

159. Dilenia, India dillenia Dillenia indica L.* 

A showy exotic introduced in gardens as an 

ornamental shade tree, distinguished by : (1) the 

symmetrical, usual1 conical dense crown; (2) 

lar e oblong or ob 

B 

I anceolate shiny green leaves 

wit saw-toothed edges and with many straight 

parallel lateral veins j/4-9/8 inch apart leaving midrib 

at an an le of about 45 degrees and each ending 

in a tooth; 5) beautiful very large white flowers, 

with ellow stamens, 8-9 inches across the 5 petals; 

nearly separate pistils (carpels), each 1-celled and 

bearing a white slender spreading stigma 1/8 inch 

!ong, narrow, flat, and pointed, the stigmas spreading 

as rays in a circle. 

The heavy fruits hang down singly, only 1 at 

the end of a leafy twig. They are rounded but 

broader than long and sli htly irregular, being 

shaped by the 5 rounded ard sepals which are 

more than 1 inch thick at base with whitish flesh, 

and 5) large, hnrd, light een fruits 5-8 inches the outer 2 

in diameter, resembling a ca r bage head, covered by ping. The sepals do not 

ve thick sepals. the aggregate fruit of 

evergreen tree attaining 50 feet in hei~ht about 3 inches 

with straight trunk to 1 foot in diameter, with malls and containing several light brown flattened 

large s readin branches arising a few together seeds inch long in transparent gelatinous flesh. 

along t !I e trun f . The brown bark is smoothish, Observed in flower in July and August and with 

with faint horizontal ring scars and becomin fruits nearly through the year. 

slightly scaly. Inner bark is brown an i The light brown sapwood is slightly soft. The 

bitter. The stout brownish-gray twigs have many wood is not used in Puerto Rico. 

broad leaf scars and at apex bear crowded alter- In India the fruit is Baten, the entire fruit being 

nate leaves and have pointed buds 1/2 inch long, made into jelly or a drink or sometimes cooked as 

covered with pointed gray silky hairy scales. a vegetable. The bulk consists of the very thick 

The leaves have stout, light BY, ~ v e d sepals, which have a very sour taste. The smaller 

petioles 1%-1% inches long. ades are 6-15 juicy fruits inside are sour also. 

inches long and 21/24 inches wide, abruptly long- Planted in Puerto Rim as an ornamental and 

pointed at apex and narrowed toward the short- shade tree and experimentally in St. Thomas. 

pointed base, often broadest above middle, above Elsewhere in the tropics csxamples may be seen in 

shiny green with midrib and lateral veins slightly botanical gardens. 

sunken, and beneath lighter green with prom~nent 

lateral veins which am inconspicuously hairy. 

RANGE.-Native of tropical Asia from India to 

Flowers are bone singly near end of twig on a Malaya. Introduced into other tropical regions, 

long stout stalk. There are 5 spreading light green sparingly in the New World, including southern 

sepals, concnve and fleshy; 5 spreading obovate Florida and southern California, Greater Antilles, 

white petals about 4 inches long; very numerous and Central and South America. 

curved bright yellow stamens in a globelike mass ; OTHER COMMON NAMES.---coca (Dominican Reand 

a central ring of about 16-18 crowded but public) ; India dillenia, dillenia (United States). 

R

159. Dilenia, Indla dillenia 

Two-thirds natural site.

160. Maricao verde 

This tree native only in Luquillo Mountains is 

distinguished by: (1) alternate elli tic leaves 

24% inches long and 7/8-1% inches wi B e, rounded 

at apex and long-pointed at the ve short-stalked 

base, with slightly wavy-toothed e ges, the lower 

TEA FAMILY (THEACEAE) 

7 

surface with 2 faint lines parallel with midrib, and 

orange red when new; (2) fragrant showy white 

flowers nearly 2 inches across the 6-9 petals, al- 

most stalkless and single at base of leaves; and (3) 

oblong dark brown capsule 3/4-1 inch long and 

3/8-1, inch in diameter, 6-10-ridged, remaining at- 

tached after opening. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree to 40 feet in 

height and 1% feet in trunk diameter. Bark on 

old trunks is gray and fissured. The twigs are 

gmy, finely hairy when young. The terminal bud 

is long and narrow and covered by a hairy scale 

(stipule) . 

The dark green leaf blades are often broadest 

above middle, turned under a little at edges, only 

slightly thickened, and beneath with prominent 

veins and paler and sparsely hairy. 

The large flowers are very conspicuous and at- 

tractive, contrasting with the foliage. A flower 

Laplacea portoricensb (Krug & Urban) Dyer 

has 5 overlapping, 'unequal, rounded, leathery, 

finely hairy sepals %-% inch in diameter; 6-9 

bright white unequal obovate petals about s/4 inch 

long, some notched, soon fallmg; more than 100 

unequal stamens 1/ inch long with yellow anthers; 

and pistil more than 3/ls inch long with broad, 

rounded, hairy, 6-10-celled ovary and 5 or 6 styles. 

The finely hairy capsule splits open along the 

ridges to release many thin, narrow, winged, 

brown seeds nearly 1, inch long. These old o en 

capsules serve as an aid in identification. iecorded 

as flowering and with fruits in several 

months nearly through the year. 

This tree perhaps is worthy of trial as an ornamental 

for its showy flowers. The wood is little 

used. 

Found only in the lower Luquillo forest region. 

PUBLIC FOREST.-LU~~U~~~O. 

R~~a~.-Restricted to eastern Puerto Rico. 

O~WER COMMON N~M.-maricno, niiio de cota 

(Puerto Rico) . 

BOTANICAL SYNONMTS.-H~~~~U)C~& 

portoricensis 

ICrug & Urban, Wicks6roemia portoricemi8 

(ICrug & Urban) Blake.

Natural slze. 

Laplacea portoriccrlsie (Krug & Urban) Dyer 

347

MANGOSTEEN FAMILY (GUTTIFERAE) 

Key ta the 6 specles Illustrated (Nos. 161-106) 

A. Leaves stiff, endm In long-polnted sharp spine165. Rheedfa pwiorlceneis. 

AA. Leaves rounded or notched nt apex. 

B. Leaves thlck, with many straight parallel lateral velm nearly at right angles to midrib. 

C. Lateral velns only about fg, inch apart; fmlt nearly 1 inch in diameter, inedible--161. Oolophyllum 

bradlienue. 

CC. Lateral velns more than Ne inch apart; fruit 8-10 Inchea in diameter, edible (mamey)-104. 

Mommsa 

ameriuana. 

BB. Leaves very thlck and fleshy, with lateral veins inconBRicuous or scarcely vislble. 

D. Leaves with rounded apex, the edges rolled under, seed camles %I-% inch in diameter-162 Olusfu 

krupiana. 

DD. Leaves with rounded or notched apex, the edgee slightly turned under; seed capaulee 2-234 inches in 

diameh-168. Olueia r0813a. 

161. Maria, santa-maria Calophgllum braailiense Camb. 

small quantities. 

A medium-sized evergreen tree 40-65 fest hi h 

becoming larger, and up to 1% feet or more inail 

ameter, with straight axis nnd usually a spreading 

crown. The bnrk is light gray and smooth or 

slightly fissured, becoming spotted with numerous 

dark protuberances on lar trunks. Inner bark 

is whitish and bitter. T R" e twigs are pesn,. 4- 

angled, and minutely hairy when young, becommg 

P a 

Ae etioles are '/r+ inch long. Blades are 

roundel or minutely notched at apex, shortointed 

at base, not toothed on edges, and slightly 

Lthery. Some leaves have n rust, or fungus dis- 

R 

ease, producing on the up er surface wartllke narrow 

swellings %6-x inc long, becoming brown, 

and correspond~ng sunken brown areas on lower 

surface. 

Flower clust~rs (racemes) at leaf bases or on 

twigs back of leaves are much shorter than the 

leavee and have several flowers on slender stalks. 

Flowers are male and bisexual on the same tree 

(polygamous). There are 4 white rounded and 

concave sepals, 2 about Vq inch long and 2 about 

half as long, widely spreading and turned back; 

etals commonly absent (or 1 smaller than the 

Lrgast sepals and white) ; male 3 owers have about 

40-50 stamens in a prominent orange cluster more 

than I/a inch across and often a mdlmentary pistil. 

Bisexual flowers have 8-12 Seamens and a pistil 

consistin of round pen ovary j/s inch in diameter, 

1-ce 4 led with 1 ovule, short bent style, and 

flattened whitish stigma. 

The fruit (drupe) has a hard dry shell and conrounded 

seed. lowering chiefly in 

tains spring an la? summer, the fruit maturing from late 

spring to winter* mostly in the fall. 

The sapwood is light brown or whitish, and the 

heartwood varies from li ht pinkish to reddish 

brown ohn wibh fine dar 8 er stripes. The wood 

is hard, moderately heavy (specific gravity 0.55), 

fairly stron and coarse-textured nnd 

I~as mterloc!ed grain. It is modemtely T urable I y 

in contact with the ground but is very susceptible 

to attack by dry-wood termites. Air-seasoning 

is slow and very diacul and the amount of dew 

e is considerable. ih achining characteristics 

are ns follows : planing is fair; shaping, mortising, 

sanding, and resistance to screw splitting are 

good ; and turnin and boring are poor. 

hlurin is clnsse fi as a construction wood, but the 

small trees now available are chiefly for posts. 

The attrnctive wood resembles mahogany and can 

be used for man of the same purposes but is somewhat 

more di d cult to season and work. Else- 

where it is used for furniture, cabinetmaking, 

flooring, shingles, interior construction, shipbuild- 

ing, house framing, agricultural implements, han- 

dles, vehicles, structural timbels, poles, and cross- 

ties. 

The latex or resin from the trunk, called bll- 

samo de maria, has been employed medicinally. 

The fruits are reported to be good food for hogs, 

and an oil has been extractad from the seeds. 

The tree is widely planted for ornament and 

shade along highways. When young, its crown 

may be shaped into a hedge or other forms. The 

fruib are apparently distributed by bsts with the 

result that dense clumps of seedlings sometimes 

develop directly beneath coconut palms along the 

coast. Extensively planted in forest areas because 

of its adaptability to degraded soils and the ease 

with which it may be established by direct d- 

ing. Seedlings do not survive transplanting well 

if lifted without a ball of earth. Almost the only 

valuable tree which pws well on the extremely 

laterite soils of the western mountains, where it 

attains 8 inches in diameter in 25 years.

161. Maria. 8anta-marla Udophyllum braeilfenee Camb. 

Natural slzs.

Introduced for ornament and shade in southern 

Florida, and in parts of the We& Indies planted as 

shade for coffee and cacao and for n-indbreaks. 

In Grenada the trees are windbreaks for nutmeg 

plantations. 

Probably native only in the moist coastal and 

moist limestone forest regions of Puerto Rico. 

Now distributed as well throughout the lower 

Cordillera and lower Luquillo regions with a few 

txees on the dry coast. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, 

and St. Thomas. 

PWLIG FOREGTS.-N~~~V~ in Cambalache, Guaja- 

taca, Rio Abajo, and Vega. Introduced into 

Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, Afaricno, Susiia, and 

Toro Nep. 

X~USIOIPALITIES WIIEN: FSPECWLLY WMXON.- 

17,34,62,74. 

RASGE.-This species with its geo,~phic varie- 

ties also known as species is w~dely distributed 

through the West Indies and from Mexico to Peru, 

Bolivia, Brazil, and Guianas. The variet in 

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, Calophy turn 

bre~iliense var. antildanum (Britton) Standl., also 

classed as a species by some authors, ranges from 

Cuba and Jamaica through the Lesser Antilles to 

f 

Grenada, is naturalized in Bermuda, and is introduced 

in southern Florida. 

OTIIEI~ COXJLON XAMES.- 1110 de maria, santa 

maria, aceit8 de maria ( 3 uerto Rico); falsemnmey 

(Virgin Islands) ; santa maria, maria 

(Spanish) ; baria, mara, a10 maria (Dominican 

Republic) ; ocuje, ocuje ca 7 omdo (Cuba) ; barillo, 

mario, varh (El Salvador) ; coj6n, c~cl~icamo 

Venezuela) ; jacare-dba, agarto-casp~ blanco 

(Perul ; santa-maria, Brazil beauty-leaf (Vniteil 

States ; santa-maria (English, commerce) ; wildmnmee 

(Jamaica) ; came-marie, damage, dalemarie 

(Haiti) ; galba (Guadelou e, Dominica, Martinique, 

St. Vincent); gn T ba odorant, calaba 

Guadeloupe) ; koelarie, mani kxvaha, koernhara 

Surinam) ; guanandi, olandi, landi (Bmzil). 

Botanical synonyms of Cdop hy llum brasiliense 

var. anti22anum (Britton) Stand1.-CaZoyhyZZum 

cdaba Jacq., not L., 0. antillanurn Rritton, 0. 

jacpuinii Fawc. & Rendle. 

'l he common name maria is said to be of Carib 

Indian origin rather than Spanish. A closely related 

species (Cdoph Zlum Zucidzcrn Benth.) or 

variety known as gal g a occurs in Trinidad and 

Tobago, Venezuela, and British Guiana. 


162 Cupeillo Clusia krugiana Urban 

This tree with orange or yellow latex is common 

in upper mountain forests of Puerto Rico. It is 

characterized by: (1) op osite, very thick, stiff 

and leathery, obovate dnr E green leaves, broadest 

near the rounded apex, jpxdunlly narrowed toward 

an almost stalkless bnse, and with edges considerably 

rolled under; (2) terminal brnnched clusters 

of several to many sprending yellow flowers about 

1/2 inch across, male and female on different trees 

(dioecious) ; and (3) round green fleshy seed capsules 

5/8-3/p inch in diameter, splitting open and 

becoming 5-parted and star-shaped, exposing the 

orange pulp in which the light brown seeds are 

imbedded. 

A small to medium-sized ever reen tree to 40 

feet high and 6-12 inches in trun diameter, with 

a s reading crown of thick brnnches, sometimes 

wit 1 a few prop roots. The gray bark is smoothish, 

often covered with mossesZ and within is pinkish 

and slightly bitter, containing orange or yellow 

latex. Twigs are stout and brownish, ringed 

at nodes 

The stout broad petioles are only about % inch 

long. Blades are 2-5 inches long, 14/24 inches 

broad, with the veins inconspicuous or scarcely 

visible on both sides, dark en and often slightly 

Y- 

shiny above, and pale ye1 ow peen beneath. 

The flower clusters (cymose) are 1%-2% inches 

long, the fleshy branches paired, and flower stalks 

%-94 inch long. There are 4 sepals about s/16 inch 

R. 

long and 4 oblong yellow etals more than inch 

in length. Male flowers \ ave many stamens 3/le 

inch long. Female flowers have pistil inch long 

wit11 5-celled ovary and 5 blackish stigmas on top. 

The round green hit retains the calyx at base 

and 5 stigmas at apex and when split o en is 1% 

inches wross the 5 lobes. Several lig \ t brown 

seeds l/g inch long are imbedded in orange pulp. 

Flowerin and fruiting probably through the year. 

The lig Ch t brown wood is hard and heavy (s e- 

cific gravity 0.9). As the trunk is ssldom straig t, 

tlie wood is used mostly for fuel. 

1 

Common in the dwarf forests on mountain summits 

in the upper Luquillo and Cordillera forest 

re ions in Puerto Rico. 

%UULIG FORESTS.-Csrite, Luquillo, Maricao, 

Tor0 Negro. 

RANQE.-PuC!~~O Rico and Hispaniola (Dominican 

Republic). 

Cupey trepador (Clusin minor L.), a related 

shrub, small tree, or vine, hns fleshy leaves with 

petioles 3/g--3/4 inch long, and clusters of few 

flowers with white to pink petals. 

Cupeillo de altum (Ctwia gundlachii Stahl), 

or cu ey de altura, a vinelike shrnb or sometimes 

tree t: non-n only from Puerto Rim, has fleshy. 

let~ves with petioles %-% inch long, clusters of 

many small flowers, and oblong fruits about % 

. The fourth native species of this genus 

il'ch is descri lo"& ed below.

oupeillo 


Cksia krugiana Urban 

35 1


163. Cupey, wild-mammee, copey clusia CZusia rosea Jacq. 

A tree with yellow resinous latex easily recog- chine and is very susceptible to attack by dry-wood 

nized by : (1) very broad spreading dense crown ; termites. The rate of air-seasoning and amount 

(2) opposite, very thick stiff and leathery, obovate of degrade are moderate. Machining characterleaves, 

rounded or slightly notched at apex and istics are as follows: planing and bomg are fair; 

raduall narrowed toward the short-pointed and shaping, turning, mortising, sanding, and ref 

ase; (3 3 showy, large, s rending, white flowers sistance to screw splittinq are good. 

about 3 inches across t 1 e 6-8 obovate petals The wood is used mainly for fuel, fenceposts, 

notched at apex, male and female on different trees rural construction, and crossties. It is suitable also 

(dioecious) ; and (4) nearly round fleshy seed cap- for light and heavy construction, cheap furniture, 

sules 2234 inches in diametar, yellow pen turn- farm Implement parts, and tool handles. 

ing hrown, splitting into 7-9 parts and containing The yellow resinous latex of bark, fruit, and 

many ellow seeds ~n orange-red pulp. 

other parts of the tree hardens u on exposure and 

~ec6um-sized evergreen tree to 60 feet high and has been used variously, inclu ti i calking the 

2 feet in trunk diameter, usually with prop roots seams of boats in the Virgin 1slaX as plaster, 

at base. Like ja "eyes or mata alos (Fz? spp.) , and in medicine. 

the t.rees often P egm as air p f ants or epiphytes, It is chronicled by Oviedo that the early S anish 

the seed germinating in the fork of a tree and send- con uistadores in the West Indies made p aying 

ing long nerial roots to the ground. In time these % 

P 

car s of the thick leaves, drawing the figures and 

rapidly growing roots come together and encircle s ots with a pin and shuffling these substitutes in 

the host tree, finally forming a trunk around it t R eir gambling games in the absence of regular 

and strnnglinp and killing it.. The gay bark is cards. Another early use was for writing paper. 

smoothish, slightly fissured and warty. Inner By strangling and killing more valuable trees, 

bark is pink brown and gritty, with yellow latex. this species may be classed as a forest pest. How- 

The pen twigs are stout and ringed at nodes. ever, the leathery leaves and large flowers make it 

Petioles are l/z-1 inch long, een, stout, flat- an attrnctive ornamental. As the heavy foliage 

tened, and enlarged at base. Bla !Y es are 3-6 inches is salt tolerant, this tree is suitable for ornamental 

long and 24% inches wide, broadest beyond plantings on exposed ocean front roperties. 

middle, t.he edges slightly tuned under, fleshy and Common in forests on river ban 1 s and hillsides 

with lateral veins scarcely visible, een to dark throughout Puerto Rico except in the upper moungreen 

and slightly shiny above angdull yellow tain regions. Also in Mona, Desecheo, Vieques, 

green benath. 

Culebra, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola, and 

Flowers are terminal, 1-3 at end of twig on recorded long ago from St. Croix. 

stalks f/z inch or more in length and curved down- PWLIC VREBTS.-Cambalache, Carite, Guajaward. 

The buds are white, tinged with pink, about tnca, Guhica, Luquillo, Maricao, Susiia, Vega. 

5/g inch in diameter. There are 4-6 rounded con- MUNICIPAISTIES WHERE EBPECI~Y COMMON.cave 

sepals v2-5/8 inch long, white and tin ed with 11,14,20,30,31,34,45,60,62,69. 

pink, and 6-8 white obovate fleshy petals a % out 1% RA~a~.-Nearl throughout West Indies from 

inches long. Female flowers have a brown ring or Bahnmas and Cu % a to Trinidad and Tobago and 

cup of sterile stamens and a pistil with 7-9-celled Bonaire and Cura~ao. Very rare in Florida Ke s 

ovary and green resinous mnss of 7-9 stigmas but lanted in southern Florida. Also from sout E - 

inch across. Male flowers have sepals, petals, and ern b; exico (Chiapas) to Colombia, Venezuela, and 

many stamens united in a ring, the inner ones in French Guiana. 

a resinous mnss. 

OTHER COMXON NAMEB.- itch-apple, wild-fig, 

The ball-like fruits are not edible and are con- strangler-fig, false-mnmey ( e irgin Islands) ; cusidered 

to be isonous, though eaten by bats. y po y (Spanish) ; cape gaque, cucharo (Co- 

They are broa !? er than long, changng in color EmbiaK copeyl tnmpaco, ohuch copei (Venezufrom 

yellow green to brown at maturity, retaining ela) ; cope clusia, monke -apple (United States) ; 

the sepals at base and flat blackish sti ns in a pitch-appg (Bahamas) ; {aham-tree, wild-fi (Jacircle 

inch across at apex. The see %' are s/,6 maica) ; monkey-goblet (St. Vincent) ; ~cotc%-atinch 

long. In flower or fruit throughout the year. torney, Scotchman, mata a1 (Trinidad) ; parrot- 

The heartwood is reddish brown, and the sap- apple (Tobago) ; kufa ( f3 ritish Guiana) ; figuier 

wood lighter colored. The wood is hard, heavy maudit cimarron (Haiti) ; figuier maudit, figuier 

(specific gravity 0.67), strong, of medium to fine marron, abricotier maudit (Guadelou e) ; aralie, 

texture, straight-grruned, and without growth 

nde feuille (Martinique) ; am machu, 

rings. It is moderately difficult to saw and ma- cuchiii, opijk (Dutch West Indies). B 

lralie 5Y

183. Cupy, wild-mammee, copy clusia 

patural slze. 

UZwia roeea Jaq.


164. Mamey, mammee-apple Mammea americana L. 

Mamey, a handsome wild or planted fruit tfee, wood termites but is moderately durable in the 

is best known for its brown nearly round edible ground. 

fruits 3-10 inches in diameter. Other characters The scattered trees in Puerto =co serve for 

are: (1) an erect trunk mith very dense shiny fruit, fenceposts, and fuel. Elsewhere the wood 

green columnar crown; (2) bark containing pale is employed for some types of general construction 

yellow latex? which is evident where cut; (3) op- and carpentry and for piling. 

posite ellipt~c leaves 44% inches long and 2%- The fruits are eaten raw or made into preserves 

3% inches wide, thickened and leathery, glossy nnd marmalades. The skin and flesh next to the 

green to dark reen above, and ~ith numerous seeds are bitter. In the French West Indies nn 

closely arrangefi, parallel lateral veins; and (4) aromatic li ueur, known as LLeau de cr6ole" or 

large fragrant white flowers 1%-2 inches across "crkme de 8rho1e:' is distilled from the flowers. 

the usually 6 spreading petals, borne on twigs The gummy latex from the bark and the povderecl 

mostly back of leaves. 

seeds have been used as insecticides, to extract 

An evergreen tree to 60 feet high and 2 feet in chiggers and insects from the skin, and to kill ticks 

trunk diameter. The brown or gray bark is and other parasites of dogs and other domestic 

smoothish to slight1 fissured inner bark light animals. When twisted into the shape of a cone, 

brown or pinkish an $ bitter. *he stout tn-igs are the leaves serve as pots for planting tobacco seedgreen 

when young, turning brown. 

lings and protect the young plants from root- 

Petioles are 1h-s/8 inch long and stout. Blades destroying insects. 

are rounded at apex and rounded or short-pointed The large seeds are reported to be poisonous, 

at base, turned under slightly at edges, with veins though not eaten by livestock. They are highly 

slightly sunken on up er surface, and yellow green toxic to certain types of insects, to fish, and to 

beneath. The leaves i ave gland dots visible with chicks. 

a hand lens against the light. 

Planted in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands (St. 

The flowers are single or a few together on stout Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola) for the 

stalks 1/4-34 inch long, male and female and bi- edible fruits and for shade and ornament. A comsexual 

(polygamous). The flower bud is whitish mon tree along roadsides and fence rows. Appargreen, 

turning brown, round to elliptic, 1/2-% long, ently native to the moist coastal forest of Puerto 

splitting into 2 sepals about s/s inch long. There Rico. 

are 4-6, usually 6 obovate spreading wh~te petals MUNICIPALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

%-I inch Ion bale flowers have in the center 31 47. 

numerous sma 7 1 crowded yellow stamens 1/2 inch kn~oe.-~ative of West Indies. Spread by culhigh 

and 3/4 inch across, united nt base. Female tivation over tropical America in southern Florflowers 

have a pistil composed of 2- or Ccelled ida, Bermuda, TVest Indies from Bahamas and 

ovaty with short style and usually broadly 2-lobed Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico south 

stigma. 

to Brazil and in the Old World tropics. 

The fruit (berrylike) has a thick skin and firm OTHER COJLBION ~~Mm.-marnee (Virgin Isbright 

yellow or reddish flesh with white sap. lands) ; mamey (Spanish) ; mamey de Santo Do- 

There are 2-4 very large oblong reddish-brown ming~, mame-y amarillo (Cuba) ; zapote mamey, 

stones or seeds mith rough fibrous surface. Ob- znpote de niiiol zapote de Santo Domingo (Mexserved 

in flower from May to October and with ico) ; ruri (Nicaragua) ; mamey de Cartagena 

fruits during most of the year. 

(Panama, Ecuador) ; mata-sermno (Ecuador) ; 

The sapwood is light brown, and the heartwood mamey, mammee-apple (United States, English) ; 

reddish brown. The surface of this attractive apricot (Dominica) ; abricot, abricotier (Haiti, 

wood often is flecked with small dark oily exuda- Guadeloupe, Martinique) ; abricot des Antilles, 

tions. It is hard, heavy (specific gravity 0.62), abricot de Saint-Domingue, abricot pays (Guastrong, 

medium-textured, and frequently has irregular 

and interlocked grain. Air-seasoning is 

deloupe, Murtinique) ; mamie, abricotier, abrimoderate 

in rate but very difficult,.and the amount cotier d7Am6rique (French Guiana) ; mami, 

of degrade is considerable. Mach!nin character- mamaya (Dutch West Indies) ; mammi, mamieistics 

are us follows : planing, tumn.g,%oring, and boom, mamaja (Surinam) ; abric6 do Parb, abriare 

good; shaping and resistance to coteiro (Brazil). 

screw mOrtisin~ sp itting are excellent; and sanding is poor. The generic name is derived from the native 

The wood is very susceptible to attack by dry- West Indian name.

164. Jlamey, mammee-apple 



165. Palo de cruz Rheedia portoricensis Urban 

Palo de cruz is easily identified by its opposite, 

elliptic or obovate, shin dark green leaves which 

are small, thick and stik with sunken midrib, and 

curved downward from the long-pointed base to 

the long-pointed sharp spine 4/8+ inch long. 

Other distinguishing characteristics are : (1) regular 

opposite branching of twigs at right angles 

from the axis; (2) ale yellow latex in inner bark, 

, leaves, and ! ruits; (3) all, pale yellow, 

twir 

pin ish-tinged flowers about inch across, sev- 

eral or 1 at leaf bases; and (4) bright yellow ellip 

tic berry 1-1% inches long. 

Commonly a small tree to 20 feet high (formerly 

to 65 feet, according to earlier reports) and 4 

inches in trunk diameter, evergm, with narrow 

crown of drooping or horizontal branches and 

dark pen foliage. The bark is brown and smooth 

or slightly fissured. Inner bark is reddish, bitter, 

with pale yellow latex in innermost part. The 

twigs are p n and slightly angled when young, 

becoming gray a.nd enlarged at nodes. 

The leaves have short erect petioles %-l/z inch 

long and blades 14/2-3% inches long and x-2 

inches broad. Margins are turned under slightly, 

and the lower surface is light fireen. 

Lateral flowers on stalks about %+ inch long 

are bisexual and male and female on the same or 

different trees (polygamous or dioecious) . There 

* sta- 

are 2 yellow-green sepals l/lR inch lon 

yellow petals pinkish at base, 4/8-j/4 inch f; ong; 

mens about 7-10 (about 18 stamens around a broad 

whitish disk in male flowers) ; and pistil with 

rounded pinkish 2-cellhi ovary less than 4/s inch 

long and 2-lobed flat stigma (sometimes ovary is 

3-celled and stigma 3-lobed) . The fleshy fruits are 

pointed and contain usually 2 large seeds. Flowering 

and fruiting at different times during the 

year. 

The sa wood is very light brown, and the heartwood 

lig R t brown. The wood is very hard, heavy 

(specific gravity 0.9), and very fine-textured. Be 

cause of the small size of this tree its wood is used 

only for posts. 

Forests of the lower Luquillo Mountain region 

nnd thickets of the moist and dry coastal regions. 

Also in Vieques. A handsome small tree of possible 

ornamental value. 

Pwtrc FORESTS.--Carite, Luquillo, SusGa. 

RANGE.-&OW~ only from Puerto Rico and 

Vieques. 

&HER COBIBION NAB~E.-gllayaba~~~. (Pu&o 


I~OTANICAL SYNONYB~. - Rheedia acurninata 

(Spreng.) Planch. & Tr., not R. mminata (Ruiz 

& Pav.) Planch. & Tr. 

The common name palo de cruz (tree of cross) 

refers to the branching of twigs at right angles to 

the straight axis in the shape of a cross. 

A second native species (Rheedh hessii Britton) 

known only from near Maricao apparently is rare. 

It has narrowly ltmce-shaped leaves less than 1 

inch long.

Natural size. 

Rheedia portorfcelrsfs Urban

ANATTO FAMILY (BDLACEAE*) 

166. Achiote, anatto Bixa orellana L.* 

Achiote, or anatto, a small tree planted for $he 

orange-red dye on the seeds, has become naturalized. 

It is characterized by : (1) thin ovate leaves 

long-pointed at apex, heart-shaped at base, and 

lon -petioled; (2 large, showy, pinkish or purplis 

% -tinged or w l! itish flowers 1%-2 inches across 

the 5 spreading petals, several or few in terminal 

clusters; (3) reddish-brown to dark brown, 

rounded seed ca sules 1-1s inches long and broad, 

densely coverecfwith soft prickles up to 1/4 inch 

long; (4) orange sap in the inner bark; and (5) 

twigs rlnged at nodes. 

A small evergreen tree commonly less than 15 

feet high and 4 inches in trunk diameter. The 

bark is light brown and smoothish, with many 

warty dots (lenticels), or fissured. Inner bark 1s 

pinklsh toward outside and orange within, and 

often slightly bitter. The twigs are green and 

with minute, rusty, reddish-brown scales, becomin 

dark brown. 

%he alternate leaves have slender petioles 1-3 

inches long. Leaf blades are 31/2-71/2 inches long 

and 2v24V2 inches broad, thin, wlth minute scales 

when youn but becoming hairless or remaining 

slightly sca f y on lower surface, green or dark green 

on upper surface, and gray to brownish green 

beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are branched, and 

the fragrant flowers are on scaly stalks. There are 

5 brownish-green se als about 3/s inch long, 

covered with reddish- g rown scales and soon falling; 

5 broad, rounded, pinkish or purplish-tinged 

or whitish petals about 1 inch long; numerous purplish 

stamens about % inch long.; and pistil 4/8 

inch long corn osed of bristly 1-ce led ovary, style, 

1: 

and short 2-10 ed stigma. 

Seed capsules are somewhat flattened and split 

into 2 parts. There are many angular seeds about 

9i6 inch long, with bright orange-red fleshy seed 

coat. Flowering mainly in spring and maturing 

fruits chiefly in summer. 

The sapwood is whitish, and the heartwood 

is light brown or yellowish. The wood is soft, 

lightwei ht (specific gravity 0.4), porous, weak, 

and not f urable. 

Commercially important for the omn e-red dye 

called anatto. Extracted in the kitchen pi, y boiling 

the seeds in cooking fat or oil, anatto is used to 

col~r rice, margarine, butter, cheese, sou q and 

other foods but adds no flavor. It is a dye P or oils, 

varnishes, and cosmetics also. Indlans havo 

painted their faces and bodies with this piepent, 

which also is reported to give relief from insects. 

The conspicuous pinkish flowers and prickly 

fruits also make this plant an attractive ornamental, 

and the flowers are a source of honey. Ropes 

and twine have been made from the fibrous bark 

and a gum similar to gum arabic has been obtained 

from the branches. It is said that fire can be 

started by friction of two pieces of the soft wood. 

In some places the seeds and leaves have been employed 

in domestic medicine. 

Grown around houses and occasionally natumlized 

in nearby Ohickets on the coastal plains of 

Puerto Rico. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. 

Thomas, and St. John. 

R,\NQE.-Native of continental tro ical America 

but spread by cultivation and now g om Mexico 

to Argentina and Brazil. Widely planted and 

naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions of 

the world. Throu h West Indies from Cuba and 

Jamaica to Barba f os and Trinidad. Uncommon 

in cultivation in southern Florida. 

OTHER COBfBXON NA~IEB.-BC~O~~, bija (Puert0 

Rico) ; roucou (Virgin Islands) ; achiote, achote 

(Spanish) ; bija (Dominican Republic, Cuba, 

Venezuela) ; chaya, xayau (Guatemala) ; cuajachote 

(El Salvador) ; onoto, onotillo, caituco 

(Venezuela) ; shambu (Pm) ; uruc6 (Bolivia, 

Argentina) ; anntlto, annatto, anatto-tree (English) 

; roucou (Trinidad and Tobago) ; atta (British 

Honduras) ; onoto (British Guiana) ; roucou, 

roucouyer (Frencli) ; achiot (French Guianrt) ; 

rucu, roucou (Dutch West Indies) ; roucou, koesoewee 

(Surinam) ; urucii, achiote (Brazil).

Natural size.

COCHLOSPERMUM FAMILY (COCHLOSPERMACEAE*) 

167. Rosa imperial, Brazilian-rose, cochlospermum 

Cochlospermum vitifolium (Willd.) Spreng.* 

This introduced, cultivated ornamental is distinguished 

by: (1 quantities of larp showy, 

bright yellow rose 1 ike flowers 3-4 inc es across, 

borne in terminal clusters usual1 when the trees 

are leafless; and (2) long-petio T ed, deeply palmately 

lobed leaves with usually 5 long-pointed 

toothed lobes. The double-flowered form with 

many petals grown in Puerto Rico does not mature 

fruits and seeds. 

A small to medium-sized deciduous tree to 25 

feet tall and 1 foot in trunk diameter, with relatively 

few stout bmnches. The bark is gray, 

smoothish and becoming sli htly furrowed. Inner 

bark is brown streaked, rfbrous, slightly bitter, 

and yields a gum. Twigs are pen when young, 

becomin brown. 

The a F ternate laves have petioles 3-7 inches in 

length, green and tinpd with red, and a 

minute threadlike stipules at bm whic!?~; 

shed. Leaf blades measure about 4-8 inches long 

and broad, are heart-shaped at base and have usually 

5 (mrely 3 or 7) spreading lob enah with 

a prominent centml vein and small teeth along the 

edges. Upper surface of the thin blades is 

to dark p n and slightly shiny, and the P"" ower 

surface lighter gray green, finely hairy to nearly 

hairless. 

Flowers are borne on long stalks in erect spreading 

terminal clusters (pan~cles), sometimes a few 

on shrubby lank only 3-5 feet high. There are 

5 green to ye B low-green sepals M-ti/s inch long, the 

outer 2 pointed and smaller and the inner 3 

rounded and bronder. In the double-flowered 

Puerto Rican form there am 

curved narrow anthers are in the center, but a 

functional pistil is lacking. Blooming mostly 

from January to Maroh, during the drier part of 


T K ~ 

more widespread single-flowered form not 

found in Puerto Rico has only 5 petals about 2 

inches long, notched at apex, and in the center of 

the many stamens a pistil consisting of a gmn 

rounded ovary s/la inch in diameter, 5-carpeled, 

and a slender curved yellow style about 1% inch 

long. On wild trees the large elliptic dark brown 

capsules about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diam- 

eter hang down from curved stalks. The incon- 

spicuously hairy, thin-walled capsules split into 

5 parts, relensin many dark brown kidney-shaped 

seeds 35. inch kng, imbedded in masses of soft 

cottony white hairs. 

The whitish to light brown wood is soft, spongy, 

very lightweight, perishable, and of little use. 

Planted for ornnment on the coastal plains of 

Puerto Rico and in the Virgin Islands, growing 

rapidly and best in dry areas. Reported to be a 

honey plant. The trees are prop 

cutting. The more attractive l"d ouble Yily flowered by 

form in Puerto Ricol His aniola, Dominica, and 

perhaps a few other islan & of the West Indies is 

referred for cultivation but apparently is little 

gown elsewhere. Both the normal and doubleflowered 

forms are grown in St. Thomas. Hedges 

and living fences can be formed by plantrng 

branches and pruning them back. 

Elsewhere, rope has been made from the fibrous 

bark, and the cotton around the seeds is used for 

stuffing pillo~vs. A home remedy has been extracted 

from wood and leaves. 

R~N~~.--Continent.nl tro ical America from 

western Mexico through d ntral America and 

northern South America to Ecundor, Peru, Bolivia, 

Brnzil, Guinnas, and Trinidad, chiefly in dry 

forests. Plnnted for ornnment in the West Indies, 

such as in Cuba and Puerto Rico and other tropical 

arens and as far north ns southern Florida and 

southern California. 

i 

(Willd. Krug & Urban, C1ochEo8pemnlum hi&&- 

Odd48 unth. 

The descriptive specific name, meaning "grapeleaf!" 

recnlls the similarity of the leaves to those of 

cultivated grapes.

167. Rosa imperial, Brazilian-rose, cochlo~permum Uoohlospermum vitifolium (WiEld.) Spreng. 

Two-thlrds natural size.

CANELLA FAMILY (CANELLACEAE) 

168. Barbasco, canella Canella winterana (L.) Gaertn. 

This small tree characteristic of dry areas is small size of the trees. Uses elsewhere have been 

identified by: (1) a dense crown of obovate or for plows, oles, and beams. 

spoon-shaped, leathery shiny green leaves 

Canella g ark, the wild cinnamon bark of cominches 

long and S/s-1% inches broad, rounded at merce, has served in medicine thou h rarely at 

apex and gradually narrowed toward base, aro- present as an aromatic stimtllant an d slight tonic 

matic and with e pery stin ing taste; (2) small and also as a condiment. The leaves have been 

dark red purp~s~-tinged rk owers inch lon employed similarly and as a fish poison. The berand 

broad, several to many in terminal flat-to pe 8 ries are reported to be hot like black epper when 

clusters shorter than the leaves; (3) rouncf red gathered green and dried. Also a oney lant, 

(or purplish-black) berries about s/8 inch in diam- the flowers being ve rich in nectar. Thoug this 

eter; and (4) aromatic, gray, smoot.hish, slightly a i 

usually is not regar ed as a poisonous plant, the 

warty bark with burning or stinging taste. leaves and stems were toxic to poultry in feeding 

An evergreen tree to 20 feet high and 6-8 inches trials in St. Croix. 

in trunk diameter, or shrubby. The thin bark Planted around houses in the Virgin Islands. 

sometimes is fissured. Inner bark is whitish. The In southern Florida this is a hardy ornamental 

twigs are green at apex, becoming gray, with spicy shrub porn for the numerous bright red berries 

taste. 

borne in spring. 

The alternate leaves are crowded near ends of Thickets in the dry coastal and limestone retwigs, 

with petioles Y8-1/4 inch long. Leaf blades gions of Puerto Rico and also at Cabezas de San 

are broadest beyond middle, with edges slightly Juan at the northeastern corner of the island. 

turned under, thickened, wibh few indistinct veins, 

minutely gland dotted, and 

X 

Also on Mona, Icacos, Vieques, St. Croix, St. 

Jer beneath. Thomas, St. John, and Anegada. 

Flower clusters (corymbs are branched, about PUBLIC FORESTS.-GU~~~~~, Maricao, Susfia. 

1 inch long and broad, wit fragrant spreading RANGE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

flowers on stalks about % inch long. There are 3 Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and 

broad, rounded, blue-green sepals less than 1/8 inch Virgin Islands, and Lesser Antilles from St. firlon 

5 elliptic rounded fleshy petals 3/ inch long, tin and Barbuda to St. Lucia and Barbados. 

dar e; red but purplish on outside; about 20 red OTHER COMMON ~~~ms.-canela (Puerto Rico) ; 

stamens united by filaments and anthers into a wild cinnamon, caneel, pepper cinnamon, cillitube 

more than 1/8 inch long; and pistil s/le inch ment-bush (Virgin Islands) ; canela de la tierra, 

long consistin of light een 1-celled ovary with cailelilla (Dominican Republic) ; cbrbana, picashort 

style an 5 very slig f tly 2-lobed stigma, protruding 

through stamen tube. Berries are fleshy, 

pica, malambo, canela blanca (Cuba) ; canella, cinwith 

a few black seeds 3/f6 inch long. Flowering 

namon canella (United States) ; canella, wild cinand 

fruiting probably irregularly through the namon, 'whitewood bark (English) ; cinnamonyear. 

bark (Bahamas) ; canelle poivr6e (Haiti) ; canel- 

The sapwood is olive brown, and the heartwood lier blanc, canellier biitard, bois canelle (Guadsblackish. 

The wood is very hard and very heavy loupe) . 

(specific gravity . In Puerto Rico it is BOTANICAL s~~~~nxs.-CaneZZa d6a Murr., 

seldom utilized posts because of the Winterana cnmZEa L.

108. Barbnsco, canelln CaacZZa wintcraaa (L ) Gaertn. 

Natural size. 

363

FLACoURTIA FAMILY (FLACOURTIACEAE) 

Key to the 6 species illustrated (Noa. 18%173) 

A. Flowers in short lateral clusters; fruit a rounded or an elliptic seed capsule. 

B. Leaves many, evenly spaced on long slender tmim appearing pinnate; seed capsules so inch or leas in 

diameter. 

12. Leaves with lower surface gray green, hairy ; edge8 toothed-169. Uaeearia arbwea. 

CC. Leavea green on both surfaces; edges appearing as if without teeth-172. Uaeearea eylveetrie. 

BB. Leaves few; seed capsules about gs inch in diameter. 

D. Leaves less than 3 inches long, hairless; seed capsules round-170. Casearea deoandra. 

DD. Leaves 2%-65 inchea long, hairy on veins; seed capsules elliptfol71. Oaaearia guicmsnsfs. 

M. Flowers in long-stalked lateral clusters; fruit of seed capsules resembling dried flowers with 8 or 7 large brown 

sepals attached-173. Hotnallum racetnosum. 

169. Rabo ratdn Casearia arborea (L. C. Rich.) Urban 

This very common small tree is distinguished 

b : (1) many cr~wded~lance-shaped or narrowly 

o i long leaves flattened m 2 rows on long, slender, 

nearly horizontal or slightly drooping twigs; 

(2) the leaves long-pointed, finely saw-toothed, 

and the lower surface prty green and covered with 

minute hairs; and (3) small pnish-white bellshaped 

flowers 3/ra inch long and broad and seed 

capsules 9i6 inch in diameter in clusters at leaf 

bases. 

An evergreen tree to 30 feet high and 6 (rarely 

10) inches in trunk diameter or shrubby. The 

thin gray-brown bark is smoothish. Inner bark is 

light brown and slightly bitter. The twigs are 

finely hairy and brown, green when young. 

The alternate leaves have short hairy petioles 

v8 inch long and thin blades 1%-4 inches long and 

1/2-1 inch broad, short-pointed at base, shiny peen 

and almost hairless on u per surface and densely 

ay-green hairy beneat \ . Many minute gland 

gts and lines can be seen when a leaf is examined 

with a hand lens against the light. 

Several to many small flowers are borne in lateral 

clusters (umbels) about % inch across at bases 

of leaves, each on a short, hairy, jointed stalk less 

than 1/8 inch long. The whitish or greenish-white, 

bell-shaped flowers consist of the calyx with 5 

finely hairy, sprending lobes about 4/8 inch long; 

10 stamens attached to calyx and alternating with 

smaller hairy sterile stamens (staminodes) ; and 

pistil with 1-celled ovary with style and rounded 

stigma. Seed cnpsul~ become reddish and blackish. 

Flowering and fruiting through the year. 

Sapwood is hard and brittle, very light brown. 

The tree is used chiefly for posts and fuel in Puerto 


Abundant and widely distributed along roadsides 

and in openinp, thickets, and forests, in the 

lower mountain, molst limestone, and moist coastal 

regions of Puerto Rico. (Also reported long ago 

fmm St. Thomas, perhaps in error.) 

PUBLIC FORE~TS.-Carib, Guajataca, Guilarte, 

Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Toro Negro. 

~~UNICIPALITIES WHERE EsPECIALLY COMMON.^, 

19,20, 27,20,35,40.49,51,52, 53,64. 

R~~a~.-cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. 

Recorded from Honduras, British Honduras, and 

Costa Rica in Central America. Also in South 

America from Guianas to Brnzil, Bolivia, and 

Peru. 

OTHER COMMON ~~r+r~s.-rabo junco (Puerto 

Rico) ; palo de yagua, palo salvaje, cascarita (Dominican 

Republic) ; guaguasf, jique, guasimilln 

(Cuba) ; llajas (Peru). 

Two additional species of this genus are native 

in Puerto Rico besides the 4 illustrated here. 

Casearia acukata Jicq., a shrub or sniall tree of 

southern and western Puerto Rico, has elliptic 

leaves 1-2% inches long, usually hairy beneath and 

distinguished by spines S/4-lj/4 inches long, often 

brnnched, on the twigs. 

TalantrGn (Casearia bicotor Urban), apparently 

rare, is a tree species known only from the 

Cordillera near Utuado. It has narrow oblong 

leaves 3-4s inches long and 1-1% inches wide, 

short-pointed at apex and rounded at base.

109. Rabo rat6n 

Natural slze. 

Oaearia arborea (L. C. Rich.) Urban 

365

FLACOURTIA FAMILY (FLACOURTIACEAE) 

170. Tostado, wild honey-tree Casearia decandra Jacq. 

This shrub or small tree is characterized by : (1) 

the small, yellow-green elliptic leaves less than 3 

inches long, hely saw-toothed, thin, and shedding 

in winter; (2) the many small greenish-white 

flowers l/q inch across in clusters about inch 

across at nodes when twigs are leafless; and (3) 

the round seed capsules % inch in diametar, pale 

yellow or brown, edible but almost tasteless. 

A deciduous shrub or small tree to 15 feet high 

and to 3 inches in trunk diameter, with spreading 

crown. The gray bark is smooth and thin, the 

inner bark light brown and tasteless. The slender 

hairless twigs are green when young, becoming 

brown. 

The alternate leaves have short petioles 4/8-1/4 

inch long and thin blades 1%-3 inches long and 

5/8-1% inches broad, long- or short-pointed at 

apex and short-pointed or rounded at base, green 

on both sides and slightly shin above, hairless 

except for inconspicuous tufts o hairs usually in 

vein angles beneath. 

Many fmely hairy flowers are borne in lateral 

flower clusters (umbels) on slender stalks about 

s/,,, inch long, jointed near base. The calyx is 

deeply divided into 5 narrow, finely hairy, spread- 

ing lobes y8 inch long; 10 hairy stamens attached 

near base of calyx are alternate with smaller hairy 

sterile stamens (staminodes) ; and pistil consist- 

ing of hairy 1-celled ovary, slender hairy style, 

and rounded stigma. 

r 

The fleshy seed capsul'es are single or sometimes 

paired on twigs hck of the leaves and split into 3 

parts. There are 2-4 seeds in the orange-colored 

flesh. Flowering and fruiting at different times 

during the year. 

The light brown, hard sapwood perhaps is used 

as roundwood where the trees are of sufficient size. 

The fruits are edible, as the common name cerezo 

(cherry) indicates, but almost tasteless. An important 

honey plant. 

Common and widely distributed in thickets and 

as an understory tree in moist coastal and lower 

mountain forests in Puerto Rico. Also in Vieques, 

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. 

(Reported long ago from St. Croix also.) 

PUBLIC ~o~Im~s.-Camba1aohe, Gunjataca, Luquillo, 

Maricao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Toro Negro. 

R~~a~.--Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Virgin 

Islands, throughout Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and 

Tobago, and Margarita. Also in Costa Rica and 

northern South America from Colombia and Venezuela 

to Brazil and Peru. 

OTHER CONNON NANEB.--P~~O blanco, cerezo, gin 

mnusa, cotorrelillo (Puerto Rico) ; wild-cherry 

(Virgin Islands) ; machacomo, tapaculo (Venezuela) 

; fortuga caspi, limoncaspi (Peru) ; jumbieapple 

(Grenadines) ; wild-cherry (Barbados) ; 

pipewood, biscuitwood (Trinidad) ; bois jaune 

(Guadeloupe) .

170. Tostndo, mild honey-tree 

Natural size. 

Casearia decandra Jaq. 

367


171. Palo blanco, wild-coffee Cmearia guianensis (Aubl.) Urban 

This small tree is characterized by: (1) thin 

elliptic or obovate, light green leaves, abruptly 

short-pointed or rounded at apes, with toothed 

edges and sunken curved lateral veins, arranged 

in 2 rows on the twigs; (2) whitish or yellowish 

spreading flowers s/16 inch across, several in clusters 

at leaf bases; and (3) the elliptic fruits nearly 

1/2 inch long, splitting into 3 parts. 

Everpen shrub or small tree 15 feet high (reported 

to 30 feet) and 2 inches or more in trunk 

diameter, with spreading crown. The smooth thin 

bark is light p y or whitish, t.he inner bark light 

brown and sl~ghtly bitter. The twigs are green 

and finely hairy when young, becoming gray. 

The alternate leaves are borne in 2 rows on short 

green petioles 1/4 inch long. Leaf blades are 2%- 

51h inches long and lj/q--2% inches broad, often 

widest beyond middle, short- or long-pointed at 

base, hairless except on veins! the lower s u h 

pale green and with raised veins. Numerous minute 

gland dots and a few lines can be seen when a 

leaf is viewed with a hand lens against the light. 

Lateral flower clusters (umbels) are composed 

of several flowers on slender hairy stalks 4/8-4/4 

inch long, which are jointed below middle. The 

whitish or yellowish calyx s/16 inch long consists 

of 5 widely spreading, finely ha' 

usually 8 stamens inserted near 3' ase lobes; of calyx there and 

alternating with smaller hairy sterile stamens 

(staminodes) ; and pistil composed of 1-celled 

ovary, style, and rounded stigma. 

The elliptic seed capsules, commonly borne 

singly, are s/9 inch or more in length, gmenish, 

slightly fleshy. Flowering and fruiting probably 


The sapwood is light brown, hard, and heavy 

(specific gravity 0.7). Used only for fuel. 

Scnttered in moist coastal and lower mountain 

regions in Puerto Rico. Also Vieques, St. Croix, 


PUBLIC 

FORESTS. - Cambalmhe, Luquillo, Rio 

Abajo. 

R~Na~.-cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands, Lesser Antilles from 

Antigua to Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and 

Margarita. Also in southern Mexico, Central 

America, and northern South America in Venezuela 

and Guianas. 

OTHER COMMON NA~.--cafeillo, cafetillo 

(Puerto Rim) ; cafe cimnrrhn, caf6 de pllina, palo 

blanco (Dominican Republic) ; jia amarilla 

(Cuba) ; limoncillo (El Salvador) ; palo de la 

cruz (Panama) ; palo blanco (Colombia) ; punta 

de ral, pnlo amarillo, huesito, limoncillo (Venezuela) 

; pipewood (Trinidad) ; kibihidan (British 

Guiana) . 

BOTANICAL a~~o~m.--Oai+eaTia rami$wa Vahl.

171. Palo blanco, wild-coffee 

Natural size. 

(lasearia gufansnele (Aubl.) Urban 

369


172. Cafeillo Caaearia sylvestris Sw. 

This rather common and widely distributed 

shrub or small tree is recognized by: (1) the 

shiny green lance-shaped to elliptic leaves longer 

than 2% inches, mostly long-pointed, thicker than 

those of related species, edgw wavy and inconspicuously 

toothed but appearing as if without 

teeth, hairless, in 2 rows in a flattened arrangement 

on long, unbranched twi (2) many minute 

greenish or yellowish-white Pi owws about 4/8 inch 

across, crowded on short stalks at leaf bases; and 

(3) rounded, red, fleshy seed capsules 4/8 inch or 

more in diameter, containing usually 3 brown 

seeds. 

Evergreen shrub or small tree 10-15 feet high 

and to 4 inches in trunk diameter, also recorded as 

up to 65 feet in height, with rounded spreading 

crown, sometimes several trunks, hairless throughout. 

The thin gray bark is smoothish with warty 

dots (lenticels). Inner bark is whitish and tasteless 

or slightly bitter. lJhe long, slender, unbranched 

twigs common1 are horizontal or slightly 

drooping, green and a 3 terwards becoming gray. 

Leaves are alternate on short green petioles 1/4 

inch long. The blades vary in size as well as shape, 

21/24' inches long and 1-3 inches broad, mostly 

with a Ion nmm point at apex and shortpointed 

at % ase, the upper surface with sunken 

veins, and the lower surface light green. When 

examined with a hand lens against the light, the 

leaves show numerous minute lighter gland dots 

and lines within the network of veins. 

Flower clusters (umbels) are lateral, about 1, 

inch across, with numerous small greenish or yellowish-white 

flowers about 4/8 inch across on 

slender stalks of the same color, 4/8 inch long and 

'ointed near middle. Each flower consists of usual- 

& 5 spreading calyx lobes more than '/la inch long; 

about 10 stamens inserted near base of calyx and 

alternating with sterile stamens (staminodes) ; 

and pistil composed of green ova with short style 

and %lobed stigma. The round2, red, flesll seed 

capsules split into 3 parts and have usually 3 E rown 

seeds '/la inch long. Flowering a~ld fruiting 


Sapwood is light brown, heartwood dark brown. 

The wood is hard, heavy, strong, and fine-textured. 

Clnssed as fuelwood. Suitable for small handles 

and elsewhere used in carpentry and for poles. 

A honey plant, the fragrant flowers attracting 

bees. 

Very common, especially in open areas, roadsides, 

and also in forest understory, in moist coastal 

and lower mountain regions in Puerto Rico. Also 

in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and 

Tortola. 

PUBLIO FORESTS.-Cambalmhe, Carib, Guajataca, 

Luquillo, Rio Abajo, Susfia, Toro Negro. 

RANGE.-Cuba, Jamaica His aniola, Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands, throug R out Lesser Antilles, 

and Trinidad and Tobago. Also from 

southern Mexico to Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, 

and Brazil. Botanical varieties have been distinguished 

in different areas. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.--CB~~ silvestre, cafeillo 

cimardn, palo blanco (Puerto Rico) ; sarnilla., la 

colorada, juba rom ehueso (Cuba) ; guayabil l' o, 

palo de cotona ( %f exico) ; cordlilo, sacmuda 

(Guatemala) ; barredera (El Salvador) ; sombra 

de armado, sombra de conejo (Honduras) ; comida 

de culebra (Nicaraya) ; corta lingua (Panama) ; 

dondequiera, mahajo (Colombia) ; tortolito, - 

unteral, tacasito, pabito (Venezue a) ; 

yabitO, % 

gua 

avqti-tim ati, palo rajador, azaturnba, cambagui 

(Argentina) ; wild-coffee Kinidad) ; wild-sage 

British Honduras) ; pa lite (Haiti) ; crack-open 

[Saba) ; yassatunga ( 1$ razil). 

BOTANICAL SYNONYM. - Casearia parviflora 

auth., not (L.) Willd.

Natural slze. 

Casearia syZvesto38 Sw. 

371

FLACOURTIA FAMILY (FLACOURTIACEAE) 

173. Caracolillo Homulium racemosum Jacq. 

A large tree characterized by : (1) elliptic leaves 

with wavy -toothed edges, abruptly short-pointed 

at apex and rounded or short-pointed at base, 

spreading in 2 rows; (2) the lateral flower clusters 

2-6 inches long bearing few to many pyish or 

pale pen, finely hairy, widely spreading flowers 

%-?A2 inch across the 6 or 7 spreading petals; and 

(3) brown seed capsules resembling dried flowers 

with dead brown se als attached. Large trees 

stand out, because of t \ eir pale or light green-foliage 

and their white bark. 

An evergreen tree to 70 feet or more in height 

and 2 feet in trunk diameter, with narrow or 

spreading crown. The light y y to white bark 

is thin and smooth, becoming s ightly fissured and 

scaly. Inner bark is light brown and bitter. The 

slender twi are brown, green when,young, hair.. 

less or near Y y so. 

The alternate leaves have short petioles 

inch long. Leaf blades are variable in sha 

size, 2-5 inches lon and 1%-21/2 inches 

thin or sli htly thic fc end, hairless or often with 

minute tu& in vein angles beneath, shiny green 

above and beneclth dull pen and sli htly paler. 

The usually narrow flower clusters bcemes or 

panicles) are borne singly at leaf bases and vary 

greatly m length and in number of flowers. The 

slender, finely hairy axis hns flowers on short 

stalks about inch lon or sometimes 3 on a 

branch less than 4/4 inch f ong. The dyx borne 

on the tubular base (hypanthium) has 6 or 7 

widely spreading, pointed, hairy sepals inch 

long; there are as many spreading petals inch 

long, pointed, and hairy; numerous stamens in 

groups of mostly 46 opposite the etals and alternate 

with glands; and the pisti S with hairy, 

half inferior ovary conical at both ends and with 

3 styles 4/s inch long separate to base or partly 

united. 

The seed capsule and spreading sepals fall to- 

gether. There is usually 1 rounded brown seed 

more than inch long. Flowering and fruiting 

from spring to fall (April to September). 

The attrnctive golden yellow sapwood merges 

gradually into the grayish-brown to reddish-brown 

heartwood, frequently with irregular darker 

streaks and patches. The wood is very hard, 

very heavy (specific gravity 0.77), moderately 

strong, he-textured, and with interlocked grain. 

It is resistant to attack by dry-wood termites. 

Rate of air-seasoning and mount of degrade are 

moderate. Machining cllarncteristics are as follows 

: planing, shaping, turning, mortising, and 

sanding are good ; boring is excellent ; and resistance 

to screw splitting is very poor. 

The wood is used for eneral construction, althou 

h its hardness is a fisadvantage. It is suitable 

(i or tool handles, sporting and athletic oods, 

agricultural implements, boat parts, and %cavy 

construction. 

Widely distributed in Puerto Rim in forests, 

thickets, and nlong streams, in the upper and lower 

mountain, the limestone, and constal regions. 

PUBLIC mms~s.-Cambalache, Carib, Guajataca] 

Guhnica, Guilarte, Luquillo, Rio Abajo, 

Susua, Toro Negro. 

MUNICIPALITIEB 

WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

24,60. 

RANGE.-Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles 

from St. Kitts to Guadeloupe and Martinique. 

Also from Mexico to Venezuela, Surinam, and 

northern Brazil. 

Onm COXMON NAW.-tostado, guajanilla, 

cereza '(Puerto Rico) ; cornz6n de aloma (Domin- 

icnn Republic) ; caramacate, ma&, grnnadillo de 

clavo, verdecito (Venezuela) ; bois de h8tre, acoma 

blanc, acoma hGtre, acoma franc (Guadeloupe) ; 

acomat (Martinique) ; bietahoedoe (Surinam). 

BOTANICAL SYNONYMS.-~~~W pleiandmm 

Blake, R. hemistyZm Blake, 8. Zewgynum Rlake.

178. Caracolillo 

Natural size. 

Homalium rooentoeum Jacq. 

373

174. Lechosa, papaya 

PAPAYA FAMILY 

Papaya, a familiar small tree with distinctive 

pun ent odor, is widely grown for its delicious 

edib f e fruits and also is naturalized. It is easily 

recognized by: (1) usually unbranched, soft, succulent 

trunk with thin milky sap, bearing a clustar 

of alternate spreading laves at apex ; (2) large 

long-petioled leaves with palmately 7- or 0-lobed 

blades, deeply cut into smaller long- or shortpointed 

lobes ; (3) male and female flowers whitish 

or pale yellow, on different plants (dioecious) , the 

narrow tubular male flowers 1-1% inches long and 

numerous in branched clusters, and the larger female 

flowers about 2 inches long, with 5 spreading 

petals and borne nearly stalkless, single or a few 

together at base of a leaf; and (4) fruit clustered 

around the trunk, usually 6-15 inches long, oblong, 

obovoid, or rounded, and short-pointed. 

A rapidly growing short-lived evergreen shrub 

or tree to 20 feet tall, with trunk usuall~ less than 

8 inches in diameter (rarely to 24 feet high and 16 

inches in diameter) and with a narrow crown. 

The bark is greenish or grayish brown to light 

ray, smooth, with prominent broad to near1 

forizontal leaf scars. The greenish or yellowis f 1 

inner bark has a spicy or slightly bitter taste. Because 

of the soft almost herbaceous stem and short 

life of a few years, this species is also regarded as 

a giant perennial herb rather than a tree. 

Upper leaves are erect spreading and lower 

leaves drooping. The stout green petioles are 

16-24 inches or more in length, round and hollow. 

Leaf blades are rounded in outline, 8-24 inches in 

diameter, slightly thickened and fleshy, dull light 

green above and beneath pale whitish green and 

covered with a bloom. 

The slender lateral cluster ( anicle) of many 

es long or longer. 

A male flower has short 5-toothed calyx about I/ls 

inch long; whitish corolla of narrow funnelshaped 

tube about inches long and 5 widely 

spreading narrow oblong lobes more than 1/2 inch 

long and extending 1 inch or more across; 10 yellowish 

stamens inserted in throat of corolla tube, 

5 stalkless and 5 short-stalked ; and rudimentary 

narrow pistil about s/s inch long. The shortstalked 

female flowers have 5-toothed green calyx 

inch long, 5 twisted narrow lance-shaped 

fleshy pale ellow petals about 2 inches long, soon 

falling; an a pale yellow pistil s/,lx inches long 

with large elliptic or round ovary, 1-celled with 5 

ridges covered with ovules, and 5 spreading stalkless 

much-lobed stigmas. Rarely perfect flowers 

with both stamens and a pistil are produced 

(polygamous). 

Several to many short-stalked fruits (berries) 

hang down from the trunk of a female tree near 

its summit, turning from green to orange at maturity. 

The soft orange flesh 1-2 inches thick with 

fragrant male flowers is 6-24 inc 1 

(CARICACEAE*) 

Carica papaya L.* 

milky juice surrounds a lar e central cavity containing 

many rounded blac ish seeds about s/16 

inch in diameter, which are enclosed in a gelatinous 

membrane (aril). There are about 8,000 

seeds to a pound. In flower and fruit probably 


The whitish or pale yellow wood is very soft, 

very lightweight, and fleshy. There is a large 

white pith, and the center of the trunk is hollow 

except at nodes. The wood is not used. 

Papaya is one of the most popular tropical 

fruits. Races differ in size and shape of fruit. 

Like large melons, giant papayas may reach 18 

inches in length and weigh as much as 20 pounds, 

while the fruits of wild plants often are small, 

sometimes only 3 inches long, and bitter flavored. 

This esteemed melonlike fruit is served at the 

breakfast table or as a dessert, often flavored with 

juice of limes, but it is also made into preserves 

and sherbets. The juice is also extracted and 

canned. Green papayas can be cooked as a vegetable 

like squash. 

The milky latex or juice of the fruit, leaves, and 

other parts of the plant contains the enzyme 

papain (papaina) which, like pepsin, digests proteins 

and curdles milk. Thus, papayas when eaten 

aid in di estion of other foods. Tough meat is 

made ten 8 er by wrapping it in papaya leaves for 

a few hours, by washing in water containing the 

juice, or by rubbing the juice on. Or the leaves 

can be boiled with the meat, but if the time is too 

lon or the juice too concentrated, the meat may 

fa1 f apart in shreds. Though the tenderizing property 

of papaya leaves has long been common 

knowledge of tropical residents and known also to 

botnnists, only in recent years have meat tenderizers 

prepared from this plant become available 

commercially. 

Other applications of this enzyme are medicinally 

to aid digestion in cases of dyspepsia and for 

clarifying beer. In some areas the seeds, juice, 

flowers, and leaves have served in home remedies. 

Also the leaves have been stewed as greens. The 

male flowers may be a source of honey. It is reported 

that the leaves have been employed in place 

of soa for washing delicate fabrics. Children 

make f! utes from the hollow petioles. 

Many races vary in size and. quality of fruit. 

The plants are also attractive ornamentals. 

Through the tropics they grow almost as weeds, 

bearing fruit the first year from seed and s reading 

along roadsides and in waste places. %]ants 

are being heavily affected by diseases, especially 

viruses. 

Widel cultivated, esca ing, and naturalized in 

Puerto H ico. Also on a% ona, Vieques, St. Croix, 

St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

Ra~o~.-Native in tropical America, the origi- 

%

174. Lechosa, papaya 

687-921 0--6+26 C 


Uarfoa papaya L. 

375

nal home unknown. Widely cultivated and nat- (Cuba) ; mel6n zapota (Mexico) ; papayo calenuralized 

in southern Florida, Bermuda, through- tano (Colombia) ; lechosa, papaya (Venezuela) ; 

out West Indies, from Mexico to Argentina and papayo, mam6n (Argentina) ; apaya, pawpaw, 

Brazil, and in the Old World tropics. papaw (United States, ~nglis$ ; papaye, papa- 

OTHER COMJION ~~~w.-papay, pawpaw (Vir- yer (French) ; papaya, papap, pa ay (Dutch : 

gin Islands) ; papaya (Spanish) ; fruta bomba West Indies) ; mamiio, mamoeiro ( If razil). 

CACTUS FAMILY (CACTACEAE) 


A. Branches columnar, with 7-11 ridges and grooves; fruits round, spineIess--175. Cephalocereus royenfl. 

AA. Branches flat, oblong joints or pads; fruits pear-shaped, mostly spiny-176. Opuntia rubeecens. 

175. Sebucgn, dildo Cephdocereus royenii (L.) Britton & Rose 

This tree cactus of dry areas is easily recognized 

by : (1) stout erect gray-green columnar branches 

21/24 inches in diameter with 7-11 ribs, or ridges, 

and grooves between the branches and trunk, not 

woody but soft and succulent; (2) absence of 

leaves, but with many clusters of several spreading 

needlelike yellow to gray spines 943-234 inches in 

length along the ribs; (3) ,penish, whitish or 

purplish-tinged, flowers 2 inches or more in length, 

tubular and fleshy with many sepals and petals, 

borne singly and stalkless along ribs near apex; 

and (4) rounded but much flattened edible red 

berry up to 1 inch hi h and 2 inches in diameter, 

the surface smooth an 3 spineless. 

A branched cactus 6-20 feet tall with trunk 4-12 

inches in diameter, commonly dividing at 1-2 feet 

above the base into several branches. As twigs 

and leaves are absent, there is no definite crown as 

in other trees. The trunk is reddish brown, 

smoothish except for rows of spines radiating in 

clusters and with very thin bark, The surface of 

the smooth grooves in the branches is covered with 

a bloom at least when young. 

The spinas are in clusters, several radiating out 

from the central point of attachment (meole), 

which also bears inconspicuous whitish hairs. 

Near the rounded apex of branches the ribs bear 

tufts of longer white hails about lyi inches in 

length, which are woolly and somewhat shaggy. 

The tubular fleshy flowers extend straight and 

nearly horizontal, opening at night. The flower 

has an inferior, smoothish, spineless rounded 

ovary about M inch long, 1-celled; a funnelform 

greenish fleshy tube (hypanthium) with many 

overlapping oblong, rounded or pointed, whitish 

or purplish-tinged, fleshy sepals about 9/8 inch long 

and with about 10 whitish narrow pointed petals 

3j-35 inch long within; very many white stamens 

j/q--/2 inch long attached at the throat and base of 

the tube; and protruding white fleshy style almost 

2 inches long with many narrow stigma lobes. 

The ovary develops into the fruit, while the remaining 

flower arts shrivel and d ~ remaining , 

attached. The I attened berry contains red juic 

flesh slightly sweet and edible and many sma rV 1 

shiny black seeds less than '/lo inch long. Probably 

flowering irreeularly through the year. 

The trynk is composed mostly of soft waterstoring 

tissues, light green near the surface and 

ellowish within, juicy and slight1 salty in taste. 

%he soft wood is a light brown X brous cylinder 

with large white rays. 

The tree cactus is remarkably well adapted to 

very dry conditions. The root system is broad and 

near the surface where water from light rains can 

be absorbed rapidly. The bulk of the plant is 

made u of water storage tissue, which retains 

water a g sorbed after rains for use over long dry 

periods. The surface area is greatly reduced 

through absence of leaves, and loss of water to the 

air (trans iration) is correspondingly checked. 

The branc R es have a ve thick skin which also 

retards evaporation and,fbein en, at the same 

time carry on the processes o f !F' ood manufacture 

(photosynthesis), normally functions of the fireen 

leaves. Further, the formidable spines protect 

the juicy stems from animal life. 

Scattered in drg forest on plains and hills at 

lower elevations in southern and southwestern 

Puerto Rico and rare at Cape San Juan in the dry 

extreme northeastern corner. Also on Mona, 

Desecheo, Icacos, Culebra, and Vieques. Through 

Virgin Islands on St. Cmix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

Tortola, Vir 'n Gorda, Anegrtda, and probably 

smaller islan P s. 

PUBLIC ~on~s~4~6nica. 

RANOE.-MO~~, Puerto Rim and smaller adja- 

cent islands, Virgin Islands and St. Kith and 

Antigua in northern Lesser Antilles. 

OTHER COMMON NA~.-pipe-organ cactus, 

cactus (Virgin Islands). 

BOTANIOAL SYNONYMB.--C~~~~ royenii (L.) 

Mill., Pilocerewr royenii (L.) Riimpl.

175. Sebucgn, dildo 

CephaZocereu8 ro~enii (L.) Britton & Rose 

End of branch with flower and fruit (upper right), two-thirds natural size.

CACTUS FAMILY (CACTACEAE) 

176. Tuna de petate, pricklypear Opuntia rubescens Sal m-Dyck 

Distinguishing chamters of this large treelike 

cactus are: (1) numerous spines, 1-6 to ther 

spreading in a cluster with a tuft of nee %" lelike 

hairs at base, or spines sometimes absent; (2) 

erect rounded fleshy spiny trunk with bark papery 

or scaly, bearing as branches flat, oblong 

to obovate, dull gray-green to dark green or reddish- 

een joints or pads, 6-16 inches long, spiny 

and f' why; (3) essentially leadless, the leaves being 

minute green fleshy scales located singly at 

base of clusters of spmes; (4) orange, red, or 

ellow flowers 3/4 inch across the many petals, 

kne on an oblong tubercled spiny green ovary 

135-2 inches long; and (5) red fleshy fruit a pearshaped 

ar rounded berry 2-3 inches long, spiny 

or spineless. A spineless form of this species occurs 

in Puerto Rico. 

A cactus 10-15 feet tall, with trunk 4-6 inches 

in diameter, not jointed, erect and unbranched 

for a few feet. The reddish-brown trunk becomes 

furrowed and flaky, retaining many gray 

spines 1-2 inches long in radiating clusters. 

There are several stout spiny branches nscending 

and ending in several spreading to horizontal 

flat spiny joints. They continue or branch, 1-3 

at the end of an older joint. A definite crown 

of foliage is not present. 

The leaves are borne at a cushion (areole) of 

many small, needlelike, fine, stiff, brown hairs and 

cluster of spines which corresponds to a nods. 

Though the leaves fall, the fleshy joints are evargreen 

and function yearlong like leaves in food 

manufacture. There are 1-6 needlelike whitish 

spines l/q-2 inches long, spreading from a center. 

Flowers are borne singly and stalkless on the 

terminal joints, 1-3 on the edges of a joint, located 

at the cushions of needle hairs. The lar eet part 

of the flower is the inferior tubercled an f usually 

spiny $reen ovary 1%-2 inches long and 11/ 

inches m diameter. The calyx is composed o$ 

man fleshy sepals. The petals are obovate, minute 

f y pointed, and spreading. There are very 

many stamens about half as long as the petals and 

a central style bearing the stigma with several 

rays. 

The fruit is the enlarged ovary, usually s iny. 

There are many seeds ley than I/* inch in Jam- 

eter. Flowering and fruiting nearly through the 

year. 

Beneath the bark is light yellow, soft mate 

tissua, almost tasteless, and inside is the light yx 

low, fibrous wood. 

As in certain other species of cacti, some fruits 

proliferate, that is, grow to form new flowers at 

the ends. Upon falling to the ground, these easily 

detached ovaries develop roots and grow into 

new plants around the parent, directly and veg- 

etatively, rather than through seeds. Likewise, a 

joint on the soil can begin a new plant. Vegeta- 

tive propaption in this manner is more direct and 

more certain in dry arras than seed germination 

and establishment of small seedlings. 

Like the columnar tree cactus, tuna de petate or 

pricklypear is adapted to a hot and very dry cli- 

mate. It has a shallow root system, water storage 

tissue in the fleshy joints, reduced surface area, 

and reduced water loss (trans iration) . 

This species is often an un ‘! esirable plant where 

common. The spineless form has been introduced 

into cultivation in gardens in Puerto Rico. 

Scattered in dry forest on plains and hills at low 

elevation in southern and southwestern Puerto 

Rico and rare at Cape San Juan in the extreme 

northeastern corner. Also on Mona ( ? ) , Icacos, 

Culebra, and Vieques. Through Virgin Islands on 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and 

probably smaller islands. 

PUBLIC IWREST.-GU~~~C~. 

R~~a~.-bfona ( ?) , Puerto Rico and smaller ad- 

jacent islands, through Virgin Islands, and St. 

Martin to Guadeloupe in Lesser Antilles. 

OTHER COMXON ~~am.-tuna de yagua, tuna 

(Puerto Rico) ; tree cactus (Virgin Islands) ; 

petites raquettes (Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL 8 Y N o N Y ~.-CmoZea mbescem 

(Salm-Dyck) Lemaire. 

This genus of pricklypmrs is represented by 6 

other native species not reaching tree size and by 

a few others introduced for ornament.

170. Tuna do petate, pricklypenr 

Natural size. 

Opuntia rubeacma Salm-Dyck 

379

177. Majagua brava 

MEZEREON FAMILY (THYMELAEACEAE) 

r 

This small Puerto Rican tree mith tough, fibrous 

bark is characterized b : (1) twigs forking into 

2 or sometimes 3 equal orks, reddish brown when 

oung and turning brown; (2) elliptic to obovate, 

ieathery and slightly fleshy leaves short- or longpointed 

at both ends, clustered together at ends of 

twigs and at nodes; (3) small fragrant white 

flowers, several at nodes in stalkless clusters 

(heads) wibh hairy scales; and (4) elliptic white 

fleshy fruits "/8-1/2 inch Ion l-seeded. 

An evergreen tree or shru t' 10-20 feet high and 

2-4 inches in trunk diameter. The bark is ray, 

smooth or slightly fissured, and thin. Inner ps ark 

is whitish, almost tasteless. 

The leaves appear as if opposite or in clusters 

of 3 or 4 (whorled). They have petioles l/s-S/s 

inch long and blades 2x4 inches long and 1-2% 

inches broad, common1 widest beyond middle, 

and pale green beneath. i 

edges not toothed, slight y shiny on upper surface, 

Flowers are male and female on different plants 

(dioecious). Msle flowers have a white hairy 

calyx with narrow tube more than inch long 

with 4 lobes less than l/s inch long, 8 stamens in 2 

sets of 4 each near mouth of tube, and rudimentary 

pistil. Female flowers are smaller, with a cal x 

about half as long as in male flowers, with tu i e 

and 4 lobes, and p~stil mith ovary and short style. 

Daphnopsis philippiana Krug & Urban 

The fleshy fruits are borne several together or 

only 1 at a node on very short stalks, green when 

immature but becoming white. The single brown 

seed is about l/q inch long. Flowering and fruitin 


%he wood is whitish or yellowish, soft, and 

little used because of the small'size of the tree. 

The bark has in the past been used for rope. 

Known only from the upper Luquillo and Cordillera 

forests of PuertoRico. 

PUBLIC FORE~TS.--Carite, Luquillo, Toro Nep. RANGE.-Restricted to mountains of Puerto 


OTHER COMMON ~~~~~s.--emajagua de sierra, 

majagua quemadora, emajagua bravn (Puerto 


This genus and family are represented by 2 

other tree species. Majagua de sierra or mahout 

(Daphnopsis arnsrieana (Mill.) J. R. Johnston ; 

synonyms D. americnna subsp. caribaea (Griseb.) 

Nevl., D. caribaea Griseb.), of forests in Puerto 

Rico, Vieques, and the Virgin Islands and beyond, 

has slightly smaller flowers in small branched 

clusters at ends of twigs, and fruits only l/q inch 

long. The other (D. helleriana Urban), known 

only from 1 collection near BayamBn, has oblong 

leaves rounded at apex and hairy beneath.

Natural slze. 

Daphnopaiu philipptana Krug & Urban

178. Reina de Ias flores, queen-of-flowers 

LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY (LYTHRACEAE) 

Planted for its numerous showy purple flowers, 

this exotic tree is identified by: (1) the large, 

loosely branched, terminal clusters 6-18 inches 

long bearing many beautiful lavender or purple 

(or on some trees pink) flowers '2-2% inches across, 

with 6 rounded, crinkled and wavy-margined, 

spreading petals; (2) the gray-brown rounded 

seed capsules %-1% inches in dinineter, splitting 

into 6 parts and shedding many brown winged 

seeds 1h-% inch long; and (3) Dho lar~ elliptic 

leaves abruptly short-pointed at apex and shortointed 

at base, o posite or alternate, appearing to 

ee in 2 rows on t E e long, spreading twigs 

A small cultivated tree 15-30 feet hihh, with 

trunk to 8 inches in diameter, or larger, and with 

rounded or widely spreading dense crown. Deciduous 

only in dry climates. The bark is gray or 

light brown, snloothish to slightly fissured and 

scaly. Inner bark is light brown and bitter to the 

taste. 

Leaves appear in 2 rows on bhe light p n twigs 

as a result of bending of the short petioles l/s-S/s. 

inch long. Leaf Hades are 5-12 inches long and 

2%-5 inches broad, not toothed on edges, slightly 

thickened, green on upper surface and paler 

beneath. 

Flower clusters (panicles) have stout, finely 

hairy branches, with individual flower stalks 

1/4-1/2 inch long. The very showy flowers have n 

light pen, cup-shaped. 12-ridged base (hypanthium) 

y8 inch high and nearly l/z inch broad, 

minutely hairy, bearing 6 light green, pointed, 

thickened, finely hairy sepals 6/10 inch long and 

widely spreading, 6 stalked nearly round petals 

1% inches long, and numerous purplish stamens 

about % inch long. The pistil consists of a 6-called 

ovary inch in diameter, n slender purplish style 

about 1 inch long, becoming curved, and small 

rounded peen stigma. 

Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.' 

The seed capsules are nearly round or elliptic, 

with dried hypanthium and sepals attached at 

base. The many seeds, about 39,000 to a pound, 

have a long, mostly narrow win . Flowering 

from May througll October, the ruit maturing 

from winter to summer. 

The light brown sapwood is hard. An important 

large timber tree in India, where the wood is 

preferred for small boats, shipbuilding, and pilmg. 

In Puerto Rico the tree is grown in the open 

primarily for ornament and seldom produces a 

straight stem. 

Occasionally planted for ornament and shade, 

such as a street tree and in gardens, in Puerto Rico 

and the Virgin Islands and sometimes escaping 

from cultivation. Common1 purplish flowered, 

but n variation with pinkish i' owers is also 

RANQE.-Native from India to southern Tw hina, n* 

Malay Peninsula, Philippines, East Indies, and 

northern Australia. Planted as an ornamental 

flowering tree and escaping in many tropical lands. 

Grown in southern Florida and West Indies 

from Cuba and Jamaica (naturalized) to Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, 

find Trinidnd and from Mexico to South America. 

OTHER 

P 

COMMON N-.-tree crapemyrtle (Vir- 

gin Islands) ; astromelia, flor de la reina (Venezuela) 

; queen-of-flowers, queen-flower, pride-of- 

India, .queen crapemyrtle (English) ; king-offlowers 

(British Guiana) ; pyinma (commerce). 

BOTANICAL SYNONYM. - Lagerstroemia flogreginae 

Retz. 

Astromelia or common cmpemyrtle (Lagerstroemh 

indica L.') , a related sl~rub or small tree 

from Asin, is a popular ornamental. It has small 

elliptic leaves 1-2 inches long and showy masses of 

pink, white, or purple flowers less than 1% inches 

across.

178. Reina de la8 flores, queen-of-flowers 


Lagerstroemta apeciora (L.) Pers. 

383

MANGROVE FAMILY (RHIZOPHORACEAE) 

179. Mangle colorado, mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. 

This common species on protected muddy sea- very heavy (specific gravity 0.9-1.2 , durable in 

shores is easily recognized by the mass of peculjar, the soil but susceptible to attack y dry-wood 

branching, curved and arching stilt roots, enablip termites. 

the trees to spread in shallow salt and brackis f 1 Used as roundwood, for posts and poles and 

water and form dense, impenetrable thickets at excellent for fuel and charcoal. Elsewhere the 

tide level. Other distinguishing characteristics mood in larger sizes hns been employed also for 

are: (1) the conspicuous, nam, long, pointed, marine piling and wharves, shipbuilding, and 

green terminal buds; (2) the opposite, elli tic, in cabinetwork. The bark is important commerblunt-pointed, 

shiny green leaves, slightly leat R ery cially in tanning leather, and the leaves are rich 

and fleshy, and yellow green beneath ; (3) the ale in tannin also. A dye and medicines have been 

yellow flowers about s/4 inch across .with 4 mi $ ely obtained from the bark. Fisharmen in Puerto 

spreading narrow and leathery sepals, usually 2-4 Rico preserve their lines ~vith an extract from the 

in stalked lateral clusters; and 4) the unique dark roots. 

brown fruits about 1% inches I ong and lh inch in Blnngrove forests on depositing shores aid in 

diameter, rempininq attached, each containin extending the shore line, holding the black mud 

growing seedling with long narrow podlike fa rst in place and gradually advancing on the side toroot 

up to 1 foot lon and hanging down. 

ward the ocean. This species with its stilt roots 

Commonly a sma f 1 tree 15-25 feet or more in growing in shallow water ,extends farther seaheight, 

evergreen, with an erect trunk 8 inches or ward than the 3 other species of mangroves. 

more in diameter. Formerly probably much Common to abundant in mangrove swamp forlar 

er. The bark is gray or gray brown, smooth, ests over 1ar flat areas of silty or muddy shares 

an 8 thin on small trunks, becomin furrowed and in salt and 

thick on larger ones. Inner bar E 

C rackish water around Puerto Rico. 

is reddish or Forming pure stands on the sea side of such forpinkish, 

with slightly bitter and salty taste. The ests and mixed with other mangrove species farstout 

twigs are gray or brown, bearing several ther inland. Also in Mona. Vieques, St. Croix, 

crowded leaves near apex. The bud is 1-2 inches St Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Anegndn. 

long, covered with 2 .green scales (stipules) around PUBLIC ~~~ST~.-Agllirre, RoquerBn, Ceiba, 

the pair of developing leaves and which make a Guiinica, Snn Juan. 

rin scar on the twig upon shedding. 

RANGE.-Shores of central and southern Florida 

#he slight1 flattened petioles are '/r'/8 inch including Florida ICeys, Bermuda, and throughlong. 

Leaf b 9 ades are 21/24 inches long and 1- out West Indies (exce + Dominica) to Trinidad 

23% inches broad, blunt-pointed at apex and short- and Tobago and Dutch 7 Vest Indies. Also on both 

pointed at base, the edges slightly rolled under. coasts of continental tropical America from cen- 

Flowers are 2-4 together on a forked green tral Mexico south to Ecuador and northwestern 

stalk alto ether 11/24 inches long, sli htly fra- Peru and to Brazil. Also in Galapagos Islands, 

grant. ~ % bell-shaped e pale yellow fase Melanesia, and Polynesia. 

panthiurn) less than j/a inch long bears 4 mi LhT e y OTHER COJIBION NAMES.-mangle, mangle zapaspreading 

narrow pale yellow sepals almost 1/2 tero, mangle de chifle (Puerto Rico) ; mangle 

inch long, leathery and persistent; there are 4 Virgin Islands) ; mangle, mangle colorado 

narrow petals 3/R inch long, curved downward, Spanish) ; mangle gateador,. mangle caballero 

whitish but turning brown, white woolly or cot- (Costa Rica) ; mangle salado (Panama) ; mangle 

tony on inner side; 8 stamens; and the plstil con- rojo (Venezuela) ; mangle injerto (Ecuador) ; 

sists of a 2-celled ovary, mostly inferior but coni- mangrove, red mangrove (United States, Engcal 

at apex, with 2 ovules in each cell, slender style, lish) ; black mangrove (British Guiana) ; manand 

2-lobed stigma. 

glier, mangliar rouge (Haiti) ; paletuvier rouge 

The single seed germinates inside the conical (French, commerce) ; 

fruit, formin a lon narrow first root (radicle) 

manglier rouge, mangle 

green except 4 or the Lb rown enlarged and pointed 

rouge, mangle noir, manglier chandelle (Guadeend 

up to v2 inch in diameter. When about 1 loupe) ; mange1 tan (Dutch West Indies) ; manfoot 

lon , the heavy seedling falls and is usual1 gro (Surinam) ; mangue sapateiro, mangue vercarried 

C y water before becoming firmly rooted: melho (Brazil). 

Flowering and fruitin through the year. BOTANICAL BYNO~S.-Rhkophora mangle 

The sapwood is lig f t brown, the heartwood var. samoensia Hochr., R. samemb (Hochr.) 

reddish brown or dark brown. The wood is hard, Salvoza. 

b

179. JIangle colorado, mangrove 


RhiropAora mangle L. 

385

CoMBRETUM FAMILY (COMBRETACEAE) 

Key to the 6 species illustrated (Nos. 180-la) 

A. Leaves mostly clustered at ends of twigs; petiole without glands, blade broadest beyond middle; upland trees. 

B. Leaves less than 3 inches long, green or yellow green. 

C. Tmigx spineless; fruit an elliptic pointed drupe about % inch long-180. Buchenavfa capftata. 

CC. Tmip often with paired spines; fruits about inch long, with calyx at apex, some deformed as slender 

hornlike galls 23 inches long-181. Bucida buceras. 

BB. Leaves 6-11 inches long, turning reddish before falling-184. TermfnaNa catappa.* 

U. Leaves evenly spaced along twigs ; petiole with 2 glands near the elliptic blade; trees of mangrove SWfimp forests. 

D. Leaves alternate, long-pointed at both ends-482. Conocarpus ercctztu. 

DD. Leaves opposite, rounded at both ends--183. Laguncularia racemosa. 

180. Granadillo 

This large, spreading timber tree is characterized 

by: (1) a striking thin crown composed of a 

few main, widely spreading nearly horizontal 

branches; (2) erect clusters of small reverse lanceshaped 

(oblanceolate) or spoon-shaped (spatulate) 

yellow-green leaves crowded at ends of short 

erect twigs from horizontal branches; (3) many 

small greenish flowers about ys inch qcross at the 

end of a lateral stalk, altogether 1-1v2 ~nches long; 

and (3) elliptic greenish fruits 3/4-7/g inch long 

and 1/2 inch in diameter, pointed at both ends and 

slightly 4- or 5-angled, single or paired. 

A tree growing to 60-80 feet tall and 2-4 feet in 

trunk diameter, with straight trunk becoming buttressed 

at base. Deciduous but with the new yellowish 

foliage appearing soon after leaf fall in 

most areas. The light brown bark is smoothish, 

with many small fissures. The inner bark is yellowish 

and bitter. The brown to gray twigs, finely 

rusty-brown hairy when young, have slepder leafless 

areas and shorter stout spurs bearing leaves 

or leaf scars close together. 

The leaves are alternate, though clustered. Petioles 

are +% inch long. Leaf blades are 1v2-3 

inches long, 1/2-1% inches broad, rounded at apex 

and long-pointed at base, broadest beyond middle, 

the edges flat or rolled under, becoming thickened 

and leathery, hairless or nearly so when mature, 

shiny yellow green on upper surface and paler 

beneath. 

Flower clusters (spikes or heads) 1/2-9/4 inch 

long on hairy stalks 1/2-1 inch long are inconspi~uous 

among the new leaves. The crowded, halry 

flowers are both bisexual and male (polygamous). 

The calyx is broadly cup-shaped, 5-toothed, %6 

inch long? soon falling, and there are 10 stamens; 

and the plstil has an inferior hairy, 1-celled ovary. 

Fruits (drupes) borne on a stalk about 1 inch 

long resemble an olive, are slightly fleshy and bitter, 

and contain 1 large stone. Flowering mainly 

in winter and spring and maturing fruits through 

the year. 

The light gello~v to golden-brown heartwood is 

not clearly separated from the pale yellow sapwood. 

The attractive, good quality wood is moderately 

hard, moderately heavy (specific pvity 

0.61), and strong. It has high luster, roey or 

Buchenavia capitata (Vahl) Eichl. 

straight grain, medium testure, and growth rings 

marked by n:wrow bands of darker pores. The 

lumber air-seasons rapidly with only a very small 

amount of degrade. It finishes well and takes a 

high satiny polish. Machining characteristics are 

as follows : planing, shaping, turning, boring, mortising, 

sanding, and resistance to screw splitting 

are good. The heartwood, sometimm found among 

the timbers of old buildings, is resistant to attack 

by dry-mood t.emites and is fairly durable in the 

ground, but the sapwood is perishable. 

Though not widely used, the mood is highly recommended 

for furniture and cabinetwork. It is 

suited also for construction, framing, flooring, plywood, 

decorative veneer, interior trim, boatbuildinp. 

boxes and crates, and turnery. 

Planted as a shade tree in soutllern Florida, 

where it is reported to be hardv and suitable for 

dry soils and exposed sites. Classed also as an 

ornamental in Puerto Rico. Requires ample light 

for good growth. The bark is high in tannin. 

A rominent tree of the forest canopy chiefly in 

P 

the ower mountain and moist limestone re- 

gions, descending in some places to the moist coast 

of Puerto Rico. Also in Tortola. 

Punr,rc FORE^^.-Carite Gua'ataca, Guilarte, 

Luquillo, BIaricao, Susiia, ?or0 hegm. 

~~UNICIPAIAITIES WnERl ESPECIALLY COM3fON.- 

4, 10, 11,20, 22, 29, 35,42,43,46,47,50,53, 58, 61, 

68.70.73. 

k~&ai:--Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto 

Rico and Tortola, Lesser Antilles, and Trinidad 

and Tobago. Also in Panama and South America 

from Venezuela to French Guiana, Brazil, and 

Bolivia. 

OTHER COJLMON NAJ~EB.-gri-gri, ciruelillo, 

gunraguao (Dominican Republic) ; j6caro amarillo, 

jacaro mastelero, jocuma, jucarillo (Cuba) ; 

amarillo boj, amarillo, chicharro (Venezuela) ; 

yellow olivier (Trinidad) ; yellow sanders (Tobago) 

; wild olive (Jamaica.) ; bois margot, bois 

gris-gris (Haiti) ; bois gli-gli, bois gri-gri, bois 

olivier (Guadeloupe) ; olivier ,mnd bois, angouchi 

des sables (French Guiana) ; matakki, 

gemberhout, katoelima, toekoeii (Surinam). 

BOTANICAL BYNONYY.-BUC~~~ capitata Vahl.

180. Granadillo Buohcnawia capitata: (Vahl) Eichl. 

Natural size.

COMBRETUM FAMILY (COMBRETACEAE) 

181. Ucar, gregre, oxhorn bucida 

A widel spreading timber and shade tree identified 

by : 5) a broad symmetrical cmwn of nearly 

horizontal branches which generally droo 

the ends; (2) paired gray spines j/4-3/q inc t near long 

on the twigs of some trees; (3) elli tic leaves 13 

inches long and %-2 inches bm$ clustered at 

ends of short erect twigs; (4) small, greenishwhite 

or light brown flowers stalkless in lateral 

clusters 1-4 inches long; and (5) brownish, somewhat 

conical fruits about j/q inch long with spreadcalyx 

remaining at apex, but some fruits 

de ormed as hornlike galls 2-3 inches long and 

more than % inch in diameter. 

Evergreen or deciduous medium-sized to lare 

tree 30-60 feet high and to 3 feet in trunk diameter. 

The bark is brown, fissured and sli htly 

rough or becoming thickened and scaly. kner 

bark brown and slightly bitter. The gray twigs, 

finely hairy when youn are widely forkin 

sisting of slender lea f' ess portions and s T orter Constout, 

spurlike areas bearing leaves or masses of 

leaf scars. 

The leaves are alternate on slightly hairy petioles 

inch lon Blades are rounded? shortointed, 

or notc P ed at apex and short-pointed at 

Ease, often widest be ond middle, the edges not 

toothed, slightly thic Z ened, hairless or near1 

at maturity, green on upper surface and ye 7' low 


Flower clusters (spikes) are among the leaves, 

unbranched, and bear along the fine1 

green axis or at the end man stal 

which are )la-% inch long an8 %-I,$ inch broad 

across the stamens. The base (hypanthium) is less 

than 1/8 inch long, gray green or light brownish, 

finely hairy; the bowl-shaped, greenish-white 

calyx is x6 inch long and s/1= inch across, 5- 

toothed, and finely hairy; there are 10 widely 

spreadin stamens l/sJ4 Inch low; and the pistil 

with in f erior 1-celled ovary an8 slender hairy 

style s/16 inch long. 

The fruits (dru es) are irregularly 5-angled, 

slightly fleshy or AY, narrowed helow the calyx, 

minute1 hairy, 1-seeded. Odd, hornlike galls 

caused i y mites commonly develop from some 

fruits and become many times longer than normal 

size. Flowering and fruiting irregularly through 


The sapwood is yellowish or light brown, and the 

attractive heartwood dark greenish brown with 

longitudinal stripes resulting from roey pin. 

The mood is very hard, ve heavy (s ecific gravity 

0.93), very strong, toug, and mo cf erately fine- 

Bucida buceras L. 

textured. Rate of air-seasoning and amount of degrade 

are moderate. Machining characteristics 

are as follows: planing is fair; sha ing and sa~ding 

are good; turning, boring, an a mortising are 

excellent ; but resistance to screw s litting is very 

poor. One of the heaviest avai able woods of 

Puerto Rico, it is difficult to work because of the 

high density and hardness. It is durable in contact 

with the ground, resistant to attack by drywood 

termites, and takes a fine polish. 

This valuable timber is used locally in carts, 

gates, fences, and rural construction. It is suitable 

also for heavy-duty flooring, workbenches, machinery 

Intforms, and heavy exterior construction. 

& elsa~here include marine piling in 

ilonteredo areas, crossties, house posts, bridge 

timbers, and charcoal. 

Formerly the bark was em loyed in tanning. 

Also planted as a shade an8 ornamental tree, 

es ecially in coastal and dry regions. Common in 

cu y tivation as a street tree in southern Florida. 

In forests of the moist and dry limestone regions 

and forests along coasts and streams near the r+a 

in Pueito Rico. Also in Mona, Vieques, St. Croix, 


PUBLIC FORESTS.-Aguirre, Bo uerbn, Cambalache, 

Guajataca, Guknica, Rio A 1 ajo, San Juan, 

Susiia. 

~ONI~ALITIES 

WHERB EGPECIALLY COMMON.- 

12 21, 24, 26 28, 36, 38, #, 54, 55, 66, 75. 

kah-m.-dPper Florida Keys, Bahamns, Cuba, 

Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Virgin 

Islands, and Leeward Islands to Guadeloupe in 

1-r Antilles. Also from southern Mexico to 

Panama and northern South America alon the 

coasts of Colombia, Venezuela (including %a- 

garita) , and Guianas. 

OTHER COMMON ~~M~s.-guaraguao, gri-gri 

(Dominican Republic) ; jiicaro, jticaro negro, 

jucarillo (Cuba) ; puct6 (Mexico) ; bticida (Co- 

lombia) ; oxhorn bucida, black-olive (United 

States) ; black-olive (Bahamas, Jamaica) ; olive- 

bark-tree (Jamaica) ; bullet-tree, bullywood, 

bully-tree (British Honduras) ; bois gri-gri, gris- 

gris des montapes, @Q-gut5 (Haiti) ; bois gli-gli, 

bois gris-gris (Guadeloupe) ; grignon (French 

Guinna) . 

B~ANICAL SYNONY~~S.-~ZIC~T~P b~ida Crantz, 

Teminalia bucerag C. Wright. 

The scientific name and English common name 

oxhorn bucida are descriptive of the elongated 

fruit galls. 

P

181. ocnr, gregre, oxhorn bucida BtioMa buceras L. 

Natural size.

COMBRETUM FAMILY (COMBRETACEAE) 

182. Mangle both, button-mangrove Conocarpus erectus L. 

Button-mangrove, n tree frequently shrubby in 

habit and usunlly on the Inndlrnrd side of tidal 

mnngrove swamp forests, is distinguished as the 

only mangrove species with alternnte leaves. It is 

further characterized b : (1) leather and slightly 

fleshy, lance-shapedl or elliptic i eaves 1x9 

inches long nnd y2-1?4 inches broad, long-pointed 

nt both ends, yellow pen on both sides; (2) yello~v-green 

angled or minged twigs; (3) minute 

greenish frapnt flowers less than '/le inch across, 

crowded in bnlls less thnn 4/4 inch in dinmeter in 

terminnl and lateral clusters; nnd (4) purplishbrown 

rounded conelike fruits %-%. Inch in dinmeter, 

composed of mnny scnlelike s~ngle 1-seeded 

fruits about y8 inch long. 

A small evergreen tree to 20 feet in height and 

8 inches in trunk diameter, sometimes larger or 

a low shrub, with spreading crown. Usually hairless 

thrqughout, but one variation has silky or silvery 

hn~ry foliage. The bnrk is gray or brown, 

becoming rough, furrowed, and thick. Inner bnrk 

is light brown and astringent and bitter. The 

twigs are yellow green when young, becoming 

brown, -. nnd with n prominent angle or wing below 

each leaf. 

The leaves have slight1 winged, short petioles 

%-% inch long with 2 dotEke glands. Lenf blndes 

nre not toothed on edges and usual1 have several 

dotlike glands near vein angles on r ower surface. 

~hergare commonly se&rnl stalked bnlls or 

hends of flowers in clusters mostly 1-3 inches long. 

Flowers are mostly bisexual, but some trees bear 

heads of male flowers. Bisexual flowers are more 

thnn ?/lo inch long, with hniry grayish 2-winged 

tubular base (hypantliium), cuplike peen calyx 

with 5 lobes, 5-10 protruding stnmens, and pistil 

of inferior ovary with slender style. Male flowers 

lack the tubular base (hypnnthium) and pistil and 

hnve longer stnmens. 

Tho dry individual fruits (drupes) are brown, 

2-winged, overlap ing and sepnrnting at mnturity. 

Flowering and guiting probably through the 

yenr. 

The sapwood is light brown, nnd the heartwood 

yellow brown. The wood is very hard, very 

heavy (specific pvity 1.0), strong, and finetextured. 

It takes n fine olisli and is said to be 

generally very durable, nlt lough susceptible to at- 

T 

tack by dry-wood termites. The mod hns been 

used for fenceposts, crossties, wood turning, and 

in bontbuilding. It burns slondy nnd makes good 

fuel and charcoal. 

The bnrk has served in tannin and medicine, 

nnd the leaves contain tannin aio. Elsewhere, 

it is reported that plants can be propagnted from 

cuttings as living fenceposts. In soutllern Florida 

the vnrintion with silky or silvery hniry foliage is 

grown as $1 hnndsome ornnmentnl. Plants of this 

s ecies will gron7 on dry land away from the sea- 

s l' iores. 

Mnnprove swamp forests on silty shores nenr 

salt nnd brackish water, and sometimes also on 

rocky and sandy shores around Puerto Rico. Also 

in Ilona, Icacos, Vieques, St. Crois, St. Thomas, 

St. John, Tortola, Vir 'n Gordn, nnd Anepdn. 

PWISLIC FORESTS.-, fguirre, l Boquelbn, Ceiba, 

Guinicn, and San Juan. 

R,isa~.-Shores of central and southern Florida 

including Florida Keys, Bermuda, nenrly through- 

out West Indies (except Dominicn) from Ba- 

hnmns nnd Cuba to Trinidad nnd Tobago and 

Dutch West Indies. On both consts of continental 

tro ical America from lifexico south througli Cen- 

trn r America nnd northern South America to 

Ecundor and Galapagos Islands nnd to Brnzil. 

Also in western tropicnl Africa. 

OTHER OXJION ~~xm.-botoncillo (Puert0 

Rico) ; buttonwood (Virgin Islnnds) ; mnngle 

both (Spanish) ; botoncillo, mnngle prieto (Do- 

~ninican Republic) ; ynnn (Cubn) ; mangle negro, 

mnngle prieto (Mexico) ; botoncillo (El Salva- 

dor) ; mnrequito, mangle negro, mnnde mnrequita 

(Costn Rica) ; zarngcsn, mnngle pifiuelo, mangle 

torcido (Pannmn) ; mangle negro, mnngle gnrban- 

cillo (Colombia) ; botoncillo, mangle botoncillo, 

mnngle lloroso (Venezuela) ; mangle jelf, jele 

(E c u a d o r) ; button-mangrove, buttonwood 

(United Stntes, English) ; mnnplier (St. Lucia) ; 

buttonbush, botoncillo (British Hondurns) : man- 

gle, pnldtuvier (Haiti) ; pnl8tuvier gris (Guade- 

loupe, Mnrtinique) ; mangle firis, mnnglier gris, 

clldne Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe) ; mangel, grijze 

mangel, mangel blancu, witte mange1 (Dutch West 

Indies); mangue, mangue bmnco, mangue de 

botiio (Brazil).

182. Mangle botbn, button-mawrove 

687-021 S64---26 

Natural size.

183. MangIe blanco, white-mangrove 

One of the 4 species of mangrove swamp forests 

on brackish silty seashores, man le blanco is characterized 

by: (1) opposite, leat % ery and sli htly 

fleshy, elliptic leaves 1x4 inches long anf 1-2 

inahes broad, rounded at both ends, dull yellow 

green on both sides and borne on reddish etioles 

with 2 raised gland dots near a. ex; (2r graybrown 

bark becoming rough an $ fissured; (3) 

many small bell-shaped whitish flowers about 

inch long, stalkless in terminal and lateral clusters 

14 inches long; and (4) clusters of velvety gryreen 

fruits inch long, slightly pear-shaped 

obovoid), flattened and with ridges. 

7 

Commonly a small evergreen tree to 40 feet 

high and 1 foot in trunk diameter, sometimes 

larger. Many trees consist of a clump of stems 

which have sprouted after cutting. The inner bark 

is light brown, bitter and astringent. Twigs are 

greenish or reddish brown when young but becoming 

brown, hairless, and thickened at nodes. 

The leaves have stout petioles 3 -'/z inch lon . 

Leaf blades are without toothe edges, visib e 

branched and 

mostly bisexual 

t f 

Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f. 

The sapwood is li ht brown, and the heartwood 

yellowish brown. #he wood is moderatel heavy 

(specific gravity O.B), hard, and strong, gut not 

very durable. In Puerto Rim used mainly for 

osts, fuel, or charcoal, and sometimes for tool 

Randles and similar objects. Elsewherrs the wood 

has served also for construction. The bark contains 

tannin and has been employed in tanning and 

medic in ell^ 

A rapid y growing tree which ma flower and 

fruit when lass than 2 years old. &so a honey 

plant. 

The most widely distributed of the mangrove 

species in Puerto Rico. Grows along the silty 

shores of lagoons and estuaries near the coast. 

Also in Mona, Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. 

John, and Anegada. 

P m c m~Es~s.-Aguirre, Boquerh, Ceiba, 

Gurinica, San Juan. 

R~~oE.-Shores of central and southern Florida 

including Florida Keys, Bermuda, and nearly 

throughout West Indies (except Dominica) from 

Bnhamas and Cuba to Trinidad and Toba~o and 

Dutch West Indies. On both consts of continental 

tro ical America from Mexico south to Ecuador 

B 

an northwestern Peru and to Brazil. Also in 

western tropical Africa. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.-mangle bob0 (Puerto 

Rico) ; mangel (Virgin Islands) ; mangle blanco 

(Spanish); mangle amarillo, ma~igle prieto 

(Dominican Republic) ; patabSn (Cuba) ; cin- 

cahuite (El Salvador) ; palo de sal, mangle mare- 

quih (Costa Rica) ; mangle amarillo (Vene- 

zuela) ; white-mangrove, white buttonwood 

(United States, English) ; green turtle-bough 

(Bahamas) ; coil (British Guiana) ; mangle, 

manglier blanc (Haiti) ; paletuvier (French) ; 

mangle blanc, manglier blanc (Guadeloupe) ; 

akira (Surinam) ; mangue, manye branco 

(Bwil) .

183. Mangle blanco, mhitemanmve 

Natural size. 

Laguncularia racemoea (L.) Qaertn. f. 

393

COMBRETUM FAMILY 

184. Almendra, Indian-almond Terminalia cdappa L.* 

This familiar tree commonly planted for shade, 

arnament, and nuts is introduced. rather than 

native. It is characterized by: (1) horizontal 

branches in circles at different levels on the trunk; 

(2) large leathery leaves broadest toward apex 

(obovate) , turning reddish before falling; (3) 

many small greenish-white flowem 3/1G-% inch 

across in narronr lateral clusters; and (4) elliptic, 

slightly flattened greenish fruits about 2 inches 

long, each with a hard husk containing a large 

. edible seed ar nut. 

Usuallv a medium-sized tree, to 50 feet in height 

and 1 fo6t in trunk diameter, sometimes larger and 

wit11 slight buttresses. It is evergreen except in 

areas with a marked dry season. The gray bnrk 

is smoothish and thin, becoming slightly fissu.red. 

Inner bark is pinkish brown, slightly bitter and 

astringent. Twigs are brown, finely hairy when 

young, slender but swollen at leaf scars and the 

nodes. 

The leaves are alternate but crowded together 

near ends of twigs and have stout,. finely brown 

hniry petioles ys+, inch long. Blades are 6-11 

inches long and 31,-6 inches broad, abruptly 

short-pointed cw rounded at apex and gradudly 

narrowed toward the rounded base. not toothed on 

edges, slightly thickened, the upper surface shiny 

green or dark green and hairless, and the lower 

surface paler and often finely brown hairy. 

Flower clusters (narrow racemes) are 2-6 inches 

long, with numeroas, mostly short-stalked. slightly 

fragrant flowers, mostly male and R few bisexual 

flowers nwr base (polvqamous) . Both kinds have 

a greenish-white or light brown. hairy calyx with 

cup-shaped tube and 5 or 6 pointed, spreading 

lobes '/lo long and bearing twice as many small stamens 

near base. In nddition the bisexual or female 

flowers, which are stalkless, have a slender 

style and a narrow basal tube (hypanthium) s/le 

inch long, brownish green and finely hairy, rwmbling 

a stalk but containing the inferior 1-celled 

ovary. 

The fruits (drupes) are &bout 1 inch broad, 

poin+ecl. sliahtlv flattened and with 1 or 2 narrowly 

winpecerl edges. light. bro~\.n at maturity. The 

thin outer layer is slightlv sour and can be eaten. 

Inside the hard fibrous husk thero is a light brown, 

thick, hfird stone containing an oily seed or nut 

nhout 11/* inches long and W inch broad, somewhat 

like the true almond. Flowering and fruiting 

- nearly throuuh the year. 

The heartwood is reddish brown with slightly 

dnrkar ~t~ripes, and the snpwood lighter in color. 

Tho wood is hard, moderately heavy (specific 

gravity O.59), moderatelv strong, tough, mediamtextured, 

and with irregular and often interlocked 

grain. It is very susceptible to attack by dry-mood 

termites. Rats of air-sewoning is rapid, and 

amount of de,mde is moderate. Machining characteristics 

are as follows: planing is very poor; 

shaping, boring, and mortising are fair; turn~ng is 

poor ; and sanding and resistance to screw splitting 

aro good. 

Locnl uses are for posts and fuel. However, this 

nttract,ive wood if carefully handled in machining 

~vould be suitable for millwork, furniture, veneer, 

and cabinetwork. Elsewhere it has been recommended 

for boatbuilding, general construction, 

bridge timbers, crossties, flooring, and boxes and 

crates. 

The bnrk, roots, astringent pen fruits, and 

leaves contain tannin and have been used in tanning. 

-4 bltlclr dye serving for ink has been obtained 

from bark, fruits, and foliage also. An oil 

has been extracted from the seeds. 

Planted chiefly for shade and ornament and for 

the edible seeds. and growing rapidly. One of the 

common roadside trees in Puerto Rico, attractive 

for its peculiar branching and the reddish-tinged 

old leaves. Trees are extensively planted along 

sandy seashores, being hardy and salt tolerant, 

tl1oug11 reportedly not resistant to hurricanes or 

storm winds. A thrips insect attacks the trees 

generally in autumn and winter, causing the leaves 

to turn yellomish or whitish and to fall and thus 

making the leafless trees less suitable for shade. 

N:ttumlized in Puerto Rico, especially on the 

sandy soils and dunes along the coasts, but extansivelg 

planted lind escaning from cultivation in 

various places. Also in Mona, Vieques, St. Croix, 

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virdn Gorda. 

Rh~~~.-Native of East Indies and Oceanica 

and widelv planted and naturalized in tropical 

rezions. Southern Florida including Florida 

ICeys, Rermnda, and throughout West Indies. 

Also from bfexico to Peru and Brazil. 

Om~n co~r~rox XAJ~EB. - almendro (Puerto 

Rico, Spanish) ; almond, West-Indian-almond 

(Virgin Islands) : almendro de la India (Dominican 

Renublic, Cuba, Colombia) ; alcornoque 

(Costa Rica) : almendrdn (Venezuela) ; almendro 

amerlcano (Colombia) ; castafin (Peru) ; Indiannlmond, 

t ropical-almond, West-Indian-almond 

(IJnited States. English) ; almond (British West 

Indies. British Honduras. British Guiana) ; amandier 

des Indes, amandier tropical, zanmande 

(Haiti) ; nmandier, amandier - nays (Gnadeloupe) 

; arnandier de Cayenne (Guqana Francesa) 

; manguel, wilde amandel (Dutch West Indies) 

; amandn, amandelboom (Surinam) ; amendoeirn, 

c21ap6o de sol, guarda-sol, castniiola 

(Brazil).

1S4. Almendm, Indinn-almond 


Terminalfa catappa L. 

395

MYRTLE FAMILY (MYRTACEAE) 

Key to the 11 species illustrated (Xos. 185-195) 

A. I~aves alternate ; corolla absent-186. Etical~ptus robueta.* 

AA. Leaves opposite ; corolla of 4 or 5 rounded petals. 

B. Leaves small, less than 2 inches long. 

C. Leaves rounded at apex; the short petioles and young twigs reddish-brown hairy-1s. Calyptranthes 

krugil. 

CC. Leaves long-pointed at apex, hairless when mature. 

D. Leaves bluntly long-pointed, nearly diamond-shaped, dull green, thin, the few lateral vehs inconspicuous--190. 

Eugenia rhombea. 

DD. Leaves ending in long narrow point, ovate or lance-shaped, shiny, slightly thickened, with many 

prominent side veins--193. Myrcia uplendens. 

BB. Leaves larger, more than 2 inches long. 

E. Leaves rounded at apex, thick and leathery. 

F. Leaves with many straight, parallel side veins, edges rolled under; flowers many, very small-1M. 

Pimenta racemosa. 

FF. Leaves with few side veins ; flowers few, large--191. Eugenia stahNC 

EE. Leaves long- or short-pointed at apex. 

G. I~eaves with side veins sunken. 

H. Leaves thick, stiff, upper surface shiny ; petioles and twigs densely reddish-brown hairy; 

flowers and fruits many, small- 102. Af~rcia dellcea. 

HH. Leaves slightly thickened, not stiff; twigs and lower leaf surfaces finely hairy; flowers few, 

large; fruit large. round edible (guava)-195. Psidium guajaua.* 

GG. Leaves with side veins not sunken. 

I. Flowers and fruits small, about % inch long and broad-187. Eugenia aeruginea. 

11. Flowers large, more than 2 inches broad ; fruits more than 1 inch long, edible. 

J. Flowers white; fruits rounded (rose-apple)--188. Eugenia jamboa.* 

JJ. Flowers purplish red ; fruits pear-shaped (Malay-apple)-180. Eugenia malaccensfa.* 

185. Limoncillo Calyptranthes krugii Kiaersk. 

This shrub or small tree found only in the 

mountains of Puerto Rico is characterized by: 

(1) dark bro11711 twigs, crowded, much branched 

nnd forking, \\.hen young densely rusty reddishbrown 

hairy ; (2) opposite small, obovnte, slightly 

aromatic, leathery leaves almost stalkless, s/B-l 

inch long and 3/8-3/4 inch wide, rounded at apex 

nnci pointed at base, pen to dnrk green above and 

pale light n beneath, with man minute 

gland dots; reach leaf covered until a most full 

size by 2 odd bronlnish scales (stipules), which 

split open at midrib on both sides; (4) \I-hite flow- 

ers 1/23/4 inch wross the many white stamens 

single and stalkless at lenf bases; and (5) round 

berry I/q inch in diameter, with ring at apex. 

An evergreen shrub or small tree 8-15 feet tall 

and 2-3 inches or more in trunk diameter, yifh 

narrow crown. The brown bark is smooth, m~tll~n 

whitish or brownish tlnd almost tnsteless to sli ht- 

1 bitter. The slender forking twigs are slig ltly 

Lured. 

The lenves have short reddish-brown hairy petioles 

'/le inch or less in length. The thickened 

stiff blades are hairy when young, the edges 

turned under, slightly shiny above, and with inconspicuous 

Intern1 veins. 

Flower buds are rounded and reddish-brown 

hairy. The flower, about s/s inch high, has a reddish-bran-n 

hairy cuplike bnse (hypanthium) enclosing 

the inferior ovary and projecting beyond, 

bearing the calyx, iVhich splits open as n lid attached 

on 1 side, 4 minute white petals less than 

l/l~ inch long, a ring of spreading white stnmens 

j/4 inch long, and a green style j/4 inch long. 

T 

f 

The fleshy fruit is covered with reddish-brown 

hairs and is greenish when immature. Collected 

in flower from June to October and with fruit in 

January. 

The sapwood is light brown and hard. The 

wood is not used because of the small size of the 

tree. 

In the upper mountain forests, including the 

dwarf forests of the summits of the Luquillo 

Mountains and also in the Central Cordillera. 

PUBLIC FOWTS.-Carite, Luquillo, Toro Negro. 

RANGE.--Confined to enstern and central mountains 


This genus is re resented by 2 more species of 

small trees or shru ! s in Puerto Rico and 3 others 

in the Virgin Islands. Flower characteristics of 

this genus include a cuplike base (hypnnthium), 

which upon shedding leaves a ring scar nt apex of 

the round berry fruit; the calyx which splits open 

as a lid; and corolla none or of 4 very small white 

petals. The English generic name lidflower, from 

the scientific name, refers to the calyx. 

Calyptranthes kiaert~kovii ICrug & Urban, 

known only from foliage collected at Tortola, hns 

obovate hairless leaves 1 inch or less in length with 

blunt or rounded apex and upper surface shiny. 

The other species have larger leaves 1-3 inches 

long. Limoncillo del monte (OaEyptranthea sintenhii 

ICiaersk.), of moist forests in Puerto Rico 

nnd also in Hispaniola, has elliptic long-pointed 

lenves bright green and faintly shining above and 

beneath paler, dull, and sometimes slightly hairy ; 

and fruit inch or more in diameter, 

Pale lidflomer (Calyptranthes paBern Griseb.), 

of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Mona and wider dis-

186. Llmoncillo 

Natural slze.

tribution from Guadeloupe to southern Florida, 

has elliptic long-pointed leaves shiny above and 

smaller fruit about inch in diameter. 

Ca2yptranthes portoricensis Britton, known 

only from near Maricao in Puerto Rico, has leaves 

rounded or short-pointed at apex and hairy be- 

186. Eucalipto, beakpod eucalyptus 

MYRTLE FAMILY 

a 

neath when youn ; dense brown hairs on twigs, 

flower clusters, an fruits; and fruit about 9/16 inch 

in diameter. 

Cal ptranthes thmasiana Ber described from 

St. ~fornomas, has blunt-pointed o%long or obovate 

leaves 1-2 inches long. 

Eucal~ptus robusta J. E. Smith* 

This handsome introduced tree, occasional1 brown streaks and patches. The wood is hard, 

planted in Puerto Rico, is characterized by : (17 moderately heavy (specific pavity 0.51), strong, 

enerall very straight axis with thick furrowed brittle, stiff,. elastic, coarse in texture, and fairly 

fark aninarrow to spreading crown of dark green straight-grained with some interlocked grain. 

fol~age; (8) broadly lance-shaped leaves 4-8 Tho rate of air-seasoning is moderate but with 

inches long and 1%-2% inches broad, mostly considerable degrade from warp with very great, 

slightly curved and unequal-sided from the short- uneven shrinkage. Machining characteristics are 

polnted base, with a long tapering point, stiff and as follows: planing, shaping, turning, mortising, 

leathery, aromatic, with a peculiar spicy resinous nnd sanding are good ; boring is fair ; and resistodor 

(when crushed) and taste; (3) cream-col- ance to screw splitting is excellent. The wood is 

ored flowers with very numerous stamens in :L very susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites 

spreading mass 1% inches across, several borne but is considered durable in the ground. 

laterally at the end of a flattened green stalk about Uses include underground piling, utilit poles, 

1 inch long; and (4) cuplike dark p n seed cap- and fenceposts. This species is employed ! or gensules 

%-% inch long and 3/8 inch in diameter. era1 construction in Australia, especially in con- 

A medium-sized evergreen tree to 90 feet in tact with the ground, and shoald be suitable for 

hei ht and 11/2 feet in trunk diameter. The bark the same urpose in Puerto Rico. 

on F arge tmnks is gray on the surface, 1-1Y2 inches Suitab P e for shade and ornament and also a 

thick, deeply furrowed, reddish b m beneath, honey plant. An infusion of the leaves has been 

fibrous and very soft. The inner bark, about l/s prepared for home remedies. 

inch thick, is fibrous, whitish, and slightly bitter. This species grows very rapidly, 15-year-old 

Twigs are yellowish green and angled when young, trees attaining a diameter of 16 inches and a height 

becomin round and reddish brown. 

of 90 feet. Natural regeneration in Puerto RICO 

The a f tsrnate leaves have slightly flattened yel- is very mre. Growth is best in the up er and lower 

lowish-green petioles 1-1s inches long. Blades mountain regions, above 1,500 feet e f evation. As 

have toothless edges and many fine, widely spread- a street tree in California, this tree roved objecing, 

parallel laternl veins and are dark green on tionable because the tops were easi ! y broken by 

lipper surface and only slightly paler beneath. strong winds. Planted also in Florida. 

Spreading clusters (umbels) of 10 or fewer PUBLI~ FO~STS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

short-stalked flom-ers are borne at leaf bases. Mnricao, Toro Negro. 

Flower buds are 1 inch long and 8/s inch broad, RANGE.-Native of Australia but introduced inbecoming 

pale yellolr and tinged m4th green, with to many tropical and subtropical lands including 

n long-pointed cap nearly 1/2 inch long formed West Indies and from subtropical United States 

from cnlyx or corolla, which becomes detached nncl Mexico south to Argentina and Brazil. 

from the funnel-shaped base (hypanthium) about OTIIER COJEJZON ~~~~~s.-eucalipto del alcanfor, 

% inch long. The stamens, 1/2 inch nnd less in elicalipto de pantano (Puerto Rico) ; eucalyptus 

lcngt11, with minute anthers, are attached on the (Virgin Islands) ; e~icalipto comtin, eucalipto 

rill1 of the hypanthium in a widely spreading mass nchatado (Colombia) ; beakpod eucalyptus, euabout 

1% inches across and soon shedding. The calyptus (United States) ; eucalyptus, eucalypt, 

pistil is composed of inferior 3-5-celled ovary and swamp-mahogany, browngum (English). 

straight stout style s/s inch long. 

Seed capsules, which remain on the tree for some 

BOTANICAL BYNONI~.-EUCLLZ~~~U~ mltifEOTa 

time, have 3-5 pores slinken below the rim, through 

Poir. 

which nunlerous minute brown seeds x6 inch long This species seems to be the best adapted of more 

sift out. Nearly 2,000,000 seeds per pound. Flow- than 30 species of Eucalyptus which have bean inering 

and fruiting from late summer to early troduced experimentally into Puerto Rico from 

spring (mostly from August to March). 

their native home in Australia. Several are being 

The sapwood is light bromn, and the heartmood tested by the United States Forest Service in 

salmon to light reddish bromn, often mottled with plantations.

186. Eucalipto, beakpod eucalyptus 


8 

- Eucalgptus robusda J. E. Smith 

399


187. Guashbara Eugenia aeruginea DC. 

Gusibara, a tree of mountain forests, is distin- 

ished by: (1) light gray to whitish bark, slight- 

$rough and separating in irregular flakes; (2) 

op osite elliptic long-pointed leaves 2?L2-4Vi 

inc ?I es long and 1%-2% inches broad, with minute 

gland dots; (3) whitish flowers nearly I/z inch 

across with 4 petals and many spreading stamens, 

in lateral clusters at base of leaves; and (4) 

blackish-purple berry S/g-S/g inch long, elliptic or 

rounded, with sepals at apex and reported to be 

edible. 

An ever reen tree 30-60 feet tall and 8-18 inches 

in trunk 8 iameter. Inner bark is brown, \voody, 

and slightly astringent and bitter. Twigs are 

li ht brown. 

%he green petioles are %-% inch long. Blades 

are mostly short-pointed at base, slightly leathery 

or thin, shiny green above and lighter green beneath, 

and hairless or nearly so at maturity. 

Flower clusters (racemes) are 1-2 inches long, 

bearing several to many flowers on slender hai 

stalks. Flower buds are greenish and hairy, wit 'K 

2 short united scales or bracts at base. The flower 

has a greenish hairy cu like base (hy anthium) 

less than 4/s inch long, m 71 ich encloses t t' le inferior 

ovary and bears 4 reenish rounded hairy sepals, 

2 more than 4/s in% long and 2 much smaller, 4 

white petals about inch long, many spreadin 

stamens, and style s/16 inch long. In flo~t-er an 8 

fruit nearly through the ear. 

The sapwood is light i romn. The \\rood is described 

as hard, strong, and heav . It is little 

used exce t for posts and fuel. ~Kis species has 

been liste i as suitable for shade and ornament. 

In lower mountain forests of Puerto Rico, ascending 

to nearly 3,000 feet elevation in the Central 

Cordillem. 

Pmua ~o~~sTs.-Carite, Luquillo, Toro Negro. 

R~~a~.-cuba, His aniola, Puerto Rico, Dominica, 

Martinique, St. bincent, and Trinidad. Reported 

doubtfully from Jamaica nearly a century 

ago. 

OTHER COMBLON NAB~ES.-guhsarn (Dominican 

Republic) ; comecar6 (Cuba) ; serrette guava 

(Trinidad) ; brignolle (Haiti). 

BOTANICAL ~mom.-EUgenja domingensis 

Ber 

T ~ S 

genus, known in English as eugenia, is per- 

haps the largest in number of species of small trees 

or shrubs represented in Puerto Rico and the 

Virgin Islands. The Spanish name hoja menuda 

and English name stopper are applied to many 

species. The group is characterized by flowers 

mostly few in lateral clusters among the leaves, by 

4 or 5 sepals which remain attached at the apex 

of the usually rounded berry fruit, and by 4 or 5 

white petals (red in an introduced species). 

Besides the 3 native and 2 introduced species de- 

scribed and illustrated here Britton and Wilson 

(Botany of Porto Rico anh the Virgin Islands 

6 : 33-42. 1925) described 22 other native species 

and prepared a-key for their identification. These 

species are listed below in alphabetical order by 

scientific name with any distinctive common 

names. Eugenia axilluria (Sm. ) Willd., grajo, 

white-stopper eugenia ; E. bellonis Krug & Urban ; 

E. bijEora (L.) DC. (E. Eancea Poir.) , pitangueira; 

E. boqueronensis Ijritton ; E. borinpuenab Britton, 

guayabota ; E. confusa DC., cieneguillo, redberry 

eugenia; E. cordata (Sm.) DC.; E. corozalem6 

Britton ; E. eggersii Kiaersk., guasibara ; E. flori- 

bunda West; E. fragrans (Sw.) Willd. (Anamo- 

mis fragrans (Sm.) Griseb.), guayabac6n ; E. Zig- 

ustrina (Sm.) Willd., palo de muleta; E. montioola 

(Sw.) DC., biriji ; E. myrtoides Poir. (E. buxifolia 

(Sw.) Willd.) , anguilla, boxleaf eugenia ; E. 

prooera (Sw.) Poir. ; E. pseudopsidium Jacq., quie- 

brahaca; E. serrasuela Krug & Urban, serrazuela; 

E. sessiliflora Vahl; E. sintmisii Kiaersk., murta; 

E. stewardsonii Britton ; E. undemooodii Britton; 

E. xerophytica Britton. 

Cerezo de Cayena or pibnga (Eugenia unijEora 

L.') , also called Surinam-cherry, is planted for its 

fruit in St. Croix and St. Thomas and recorded 

as escaping from cultivation. It has ovate shiny 

dark green leaves 1-2 inches long, flowers mostly 

single on long stalks, and bright red edible fruits 

S/g inch in diameter.

Natural size. 

Eugenia aerugfnea DO. 

401


188. Pomarrosa, rose-apple Eugenia jambos L.* 

A naturalized treo with handsome folinge and durable in the soil and is very susceptible to attack 

ecliblo fruits, rose-apple is disting~~ished by: (1) by dry-wood termites. Young branches hare been 

stems frequently very crooked and several from used for making coarse baskets and barrel hoops. 

:I single base; (2) a clense opaque dark crown ; (3) I11 Cuba tobacco poles are made from the branches. 

opposite, shiny, dark green, lnnce-elittped, leather Pltlntecl occasionally for ornament, p~imarily 

1e:rves 31b2-8 inches long and %-ls,i inches bro$ for tlie showy flowers and liandsome foliage and 

vith minute gland clots visible against the li@t sonletirnes for windbreaks and shade, rather than 

with a lens; (4) few large yellowish-white 4-pet- for the fruits, wliicli are insipid and not popular. 

alecl flowers in ter~ninttl clusters, 31 inches across Sometinles the frr~its are prepared into jellies, prethe 

numerous widely spreading long st:tvlens,; and serves, ancl salads. A good honey plant. Else- 

(5) fragr:int. pale yellon-is11 or pink~sh-tingecl where the seals and soots have been employed in 

rounded or elliptic fruits about 1%-11/2 inclles homo remedies. The trees reproduce naturally 

lon , with 4 sepals at apex, the slightly sweet, fro111 seeds, ancl sprout vigorously when cut. The 

edi f lo flesh \vith odor and flavor like rose perfume. sllacle heneath pure thickets generally kills out all 

A small evergreen treo 15-30 feet tall ancl 4-8 reget a t lon. ' 

inches in trunk diameter, with a S~I-ending crown. In the lower mountain, moist coast, and moist 

The brown bark is smootl~isli tvltll tilany sniall limestone regions of Puerto Rico, locally abunfissures. 

The inner bark is whitish or light brown dant. spreading like a weed, and forming pure 

and astringent. Twigs are dark brown, green stands or dense thickets, especially along streams. 

when ycung. 

Also in St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Jolin, and Tor- 

Tho short petioles are 3/lp-% inch in length. tola. 

Leaf blades are very long-pointed ttt apex, short- PUI%I,IC FORESTS.-C~~~~~~C~~, 

Carite, Guajapointed 

at base, not toothed on edges, ancl dull tactl, Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Sugreen 

beneath. Often the leaves are covered with shi~, Taro Negro, Vega. 

tr black sooty ~iiold fungus whicli makes them ap- A~USICIPALITIES WIIERI.: I.:SPECIAI,LY COJIMON.-pear 

even darker. 

4, 5, 6,7,10, 11, 13,17,20,22,23,24,25,29,40,43, 

The flower cluster (corymb) llas co~ntnonly 4 45,49,51, 52,59,60,62. 

or 5 flowers. An individual flower is ~iiostly a R.IN~E.-Native of southeastern tropical Asia 

\)rushlike mass of whitish stamens, ~vliich are 134-2 but now widely cultivated and naturalized 

inches long, with brown clot anthem. The conical through tlie tropics, incll~ding West Inclies and 

pinkish-preen t~lbulnr base (h?rpanthiuni) is about cont inental troplcal America, from &f exico south 

lh inch hidl ancl wide, enclos~ug the ovary; there to Brazil. Planted also in Florida and southern 

are 4 rounded broad sepals 1/4 inch long, persistent California and in Bermuda. 

on the fruit; 4 rounded concave \\-hitis11 petttls Orrrr~n colraro~ NAI~ES.-plum-rose (Virgin Istthout 

% incli long, faintly tinged with g1.et.11, It~nds) ; pomo (Dominic~n Republic) ; manzana 

coarsely gland dotted; and pistil consisting of the rosa (C11b:i) ; manzann rosa, mnnznna (Central 

inferior 2-celled ovx~y and pe15istent ~vhitisli .\nie~.ica) ; pornarrosn, manzanitn de rosa (Coslender 

style ly, inches long. 

Fruits (berries) have pale yellow firm flesh with 

lombia) : rose-apple (United States, English) ; 

little juice wld usunlly 1 (sometimes 2) rounded 

ponlriie rose,. pommiar rose (French) ; jambosier 

brown seed % inch in diameter in a Itirge cavity. (Frencli Guiana) ; plum-rose (Dutch NTest In- 

,\bout 180 seeds per pouncl. Plomel.ing nncl fruit- (lies) ; pommeroos, appelroos (Surinam) ; jaming 

rienrly throug1:h the year, .tliougli infrequently beiro, jtimbo trmarello (Brazil). 

in summer. 

BOTANICAL SYNONY~~~.~G~~O$ 

jamb08 (L.) 

The dull bro\vn \vood is llard and 11e:~v-y (spe- Alillsp., Jnmboxa vulgaris DC., Syzygium jnmboa 

cific gravity 0.7). Used chiefly as fuel. It is not, (L.) Alston, Cayopl~yllu~ jnmbos (L.) Stokes.

188, Poinarrosa, rose-apple 

Elaturaf size.

189. Manzana malaya, Malay-apple 

Blalay-apple, an exotic tree occasionally planted 

for ornament, shade, and windbreaks, is identified 

by : (1) an erect stem and dense conical or columnar 

crown of dark green foliage; (2) opposite, 

large, oblon mostly dark green, leathery leaves, 

short-stalkef: with blades 7-12? inches long and 3-5 

inches broad, long-pointed at apex and shortpointed 

at base; (3) pretty purplish-red or rqsepurple 

flowers composed of a mass of spreading 

stamens 2?&3 inches across, like pins in a pin cushion, 

several clustered together aIong twigs back of 

leaves and hidden in crown; and (4) red (sometimes 

pink or whitish) pear-shaped fruits 2-3 

inches long and 1-2 inches in diameter, with 4 

sepals at apex and the white, slightly sour edible 

flesh with applelike flavor. 

A small to medium-sized evergreen tree 15-40 feet 

tall and 3-8 inches in trunk diameter, or larger. 

The bark is li 11t bromn, smoothish to slightly fissured. 

Inner 6 ark is brownish streaked and slightly 

astringent. The twigs are light bromn, green 

when young, with slightly raised leaf scars. 

Petioles are 1/3-3/q inch long, stout, p n 

brown. Leaf blades are slightly curved upward on 

both sides of midrib, the lateral veins slightly 

sunken and connected near margins, the upper sur- 

face dark pen or green :md usually slightly 

shiny, and the lower surface dull light green. 

Scattered minute gland dots are visible with a lens 

when the blade is held toward the light. 

Several to many odorless flowers are borne in 

clusters 4-5 inches across, almost stalkless on a 

short branched green lateral axis (cyme or pani- 

cle). The flower has a funnel-shaped, light pur- 

plish-green base (hypanthium) s/4 inch long and 

x6 inch wide at top, enclosing the ovary and ex- 

tending as a broad tube qie inch beyond. There 

are 4 broad, rounded, thickened, persistent sepals 

l/s-3/lo inch long; 4 spreading, rounded, concave, 

purplish-red petals lh inch long; the mass of sta- 

mens 1-1% inches long, purplish red with yellow 

dot anthers; and pistil composed of inferior 

2-celled ovary and persistent purplish-red straight 

style about 1% inches long. As the stamens fall, 

the ground under the tree becomes a. purplish-red 

carpet. 

The berries have thin soft skin, crisp juicy flesh 

wit11 pleasant flavor, and 1 large rounded light 


to 

Eugenia malaccensis L.* 

brown seed about % inch in diameter. Seeds recorded 

as 06 to a pound. Flowering and fruiting 

nearly tllrough the year. 

Tho sap\rood is light brown. The mood is described 

as hard, tough, very heavy, but tending to 

warp, and difficult to work. The tree is not sufficiently 

common for its wood to be much used in 

Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. 

JITidely cultivated elsewhere for the fruits, 

which are eaten raw or also cooked or preserved 

or used for wine, and for ornament. One author 

places this among the most beautiful flowering 

trees of the tropics. It is said that the slightly 

sour stamens can be prepared into salads. Easily 

propagated from seed and of moderately rapid 

gro\vth. 

Malay-apple was introduced into Jamaica in 

1793 from Tahiti by Captain Bligh of the British 

ship Providence. This, along with breadfruit, was 

one of several trees brought in to provide inexpensive 

food for the slaves. 

Limited chiefly to urban areas in Puerto Rico, 

planted around buildings but occasionally also for 

windbreaks in -rural areas on the moist coast. 

Also in St. Croix. 

RANGE.-Native probably of Malay Archipelago 

or >Inlay Peninsula. Widely planted through the 

tropics, including TITest Indies and continental 

tropical America. Uncommon in southern 

Florida. 

OTHER COXMON ~~~~s.-pornarrosa 

malaya, 

ohia (Puerto Rico) ; cajuilito sulim6n (Dominican 

Republic) ; pomarrosa de Malaca, pera (Cuba) ; 

maraii6n japonQs (El Salvador) ; manzana (Costa 

Rica) ; maraii6n de Curaqao, manzana de Faiti 

(Panama) ; pomarrosa de Malaca (Colombia) ; 

pomagiis, pomagada (Venezuela) ; Malay-apple, 

ohin (United States, English) ; Otaheite-apple 

(Jamaica, British West Indies) ; pomerac, pomme 

malac (Trinidad) ; French - cashew (British 

Guiana) ; jamelac (French) ; pomme de Tahiti, 

polnrno de Malaisie (Guadeloupe) ; pornmerak 

(Surinam) ; jambeiro, jambo encarnado (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL GYNONYM~.~~~~OSU malaccensis 

(L.) DC., Syzygir~m nzalaccense (L.) Merrill & 

Perry.

Natural size.

190, Hoja menuda, spiceberry eugenia 

One of several known as hoja menuda, this 

species of dry areas of southwesteni Puerto Rico 

is recognized by the small ovate drooping leaves 

nearly in the shape of a diamond (rhomb), as the 

scientific name indicates. Other distinguishing 

characters are : (1) opposite leaves 134-2 inches 

long and Y8-l% inches broad, bluntly long-pointed 

at apex and short-pointed at base, lateral veins 

inconspicuous, and with many gland clots includ- 

in black dots on lower surface; (2) few to several 

wfite flowers with 4 petals, 1/2 inch across the 

spreading stamens, in lateral clusters at leaf bases 

or back of leaves; and (3) rounded red to black 

berries 3/g-S/g inch in diameter, broader than long, 

with sepals at apex. 

A small erect evergreen tree 20-25 feet high with 

trunk 2-8 inches in diameter, or shrubby. The 

brownish-gray bark is smooth, peeling off in flakes. 

Inner bark is light brown and slightly bitter. The 

slender whitish-gray twig are often drooping. 

The petioles are brown yellow, or reddish tinged, 

1/8-% inch long. Blades are slightly thickened, 

leathery, and stlff, not toothed on edges, dull dark 

green above and yellow green beneath. 

The flower cluster (umbel) \vithout a main stalk 

is composed of flowers on slender spreading stalks 

l/q-Y8 inch long. The flower has n short basal tube 


Eugenia rlrornbea (Berg) Krug & Urban 

(hypanthium) enclosing the inferior ovary, 4 

rounded sepals less than l/s inch long, 4 whib 

rounded petals 3/la inch long, many spreading 

stamens, and style. The fleshy 1-seeded fruits 

change color from red to black as they ripen. Recorded 

with flowers in July and with fruits in 

January and July. 

The light brown wood is very hard and liea 

K 

. 

Because of the small dimensions, it is used chie y 

for posts, stakes, and fuel. The wood is not durable 

in the ground. 

In cutover dry forests and thickets in the dry 

limestone region of southwestern Puerto Rico. 

Also in Desecheo, Mona, Muertos, St. Croix, St. 

Thomas, and St. John. 

PURUC FORES~'.-GU~I~~C~, 

R,\~c~.-Lo\ver Florida Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, 

Jamaica, His aniola, Puerto llico and Virgin 

Islands, and esser Ant.illes from St. Martin to 

Guadeloupe. E 

OTHER CO~\IMON ~~31~s.--payabilla de costa 

(Puerto Rico) ; armyrin (Dominican Republic) ; 

mije, guairaje (Cuba) ; spiceberry eugenia, red 

stop er, stopper (United States 

(BaRanms).; mdwood 

lnyrto (Ha~ti) ; merisier (St. 

sier rouge (Guadeloupe) .

100. IIoja menuda, spiceberry eugenla 

087-021 0--04---a7 

Natural size. 

Etrgeaia rhombea (Berg) Krug & Urban 

407


191. Guayabota Eugenia stahlii (Kiaersk) Krug & Urban 

ICnown only from Puerto Rican mountains, this 

medium-sized tree is identified by: (1) erect dense 

columnsr crown; (2) li ht gray or whitis11 bark, 

scaling off in plates; (6 opposite, elliptic, thick 

and leathery leaves 2%-31/2 ~nclies long and 1%- 

21/2 inches broad, rounded or blunt-pointed at apex 

nnd short-pointed at bnse, mith minute gland dots, 

and on short petioles lLl-s/A inch long; (4) largo 

spreading white 4-petaled flowers about 11, inches 

across the numerous stamens, few at or near ends 

of twigs or singly at nodes; and (6) rounded berries 

%-7/8 inch in dialneter, with 4 unequal sepals 

at apex, resembling small gunyabas. 

An evergreen tree reilching 60 feet in height and 

more than 1 foot in trunk diameter. The stout 

twigs are light gray. Leaf blades have margins 

which may be slightly turned under, the upper 

surface green and slightly shiny, the lower surface 

paler. 

Flowers are borne on stout, often flattened, 

stalks 1/2-11/4 inches long. The bell-shaped base 

(hypnnthium) is nearly ?,$ inch long and broad, 

with 4 persistent, rounded conca~~e, yellow-green 

sepals, 2 nearly s/s inch long and 2 half as long; 

there are 4 spreading rounded petals inch 

long; numerous spreading stamens; and pistil 

with 2-celled inferior ovary and long style. 

The fleshy fruit, dark green when immature, is 

minutely warty on the surfnce, with 1 large irregularly 

rounded brown seed. Flowering and fruiting 

nearly through the year except in spring. 

This attractive wood has pinkish-brown sap- 

~vood, gray-brown heax-twood, and growth rings 

marked by narrow darker bands. It is very hard, 

lienvy (specific gravity 0.78), tough, strong, finetostured, 

mith irregular grain, and with mild 

plensnnt odor. Rate of sir-seasoning and amount 

of degrade are modernte. Machining characteristics 

are as follo\vs: planing and mortising are 

good ; shaping, turning, and boring are excellent ; 

sanding is poor: and resistnnce tb screw splitting is 

vel7 poor. The wood has high but uniform 

shr~nltabw during seasoning and is moderately dif- 

ficult to work because of its hardness. It is very 

susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites and is 

reported to be variable in decay resistance. 

Uses include genernl construction, crossties, ox- 

cart tongues, poles, and posts. The wood is suit- 

able also for furniture, cabinetwork, turnery, carv- 

ing, interior trim, tool handles, farm implements, 

and boatbuilding. 

Comlnonest in the transition zone between the 

lower and upper mountain forests of Puerto Rico, 

between 1,500 and 3,000 feet elevation. Appar- 

ently a slow-growing tree. 

Pun~rc P~REBTS.-Cnrite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Toro Negro. 

11 ti SICIPBLITIFA WHERE ESPECIALLY coxa1oN.- 

13,30,44. 

R~sa~.--J1ountains of Puerto Rim only. 

Nnnled for Apstin Stahl (1842-1917), Puerto 

Rican physician and botanist, who collected speci- 

mens of this species.

Natural size. 

Eugotia stoltlii (Klaersk.) Knig & Urban


192. Cieneguillo Mgrcia deflexa (Poir.) DC. 

;I small to medium-sized widely distributed ly hidden by the stamens. In the center of the 

tree, cllaracterized by : (1) twigs, petioles, buds, stamens is a tiny white style. Flo\vering and 

and branches of flower clusters densely and finely fruiting nearly through the year. 

reddish brown or light brown hairy ; (2) opposite, 'I'he sapwood is whitish and the heartwood redoblong 

to elliptic, long-pointed leaves with minute dish. The wood is hard, heavy (s ecific gravity 

gland dots, thick and stiff and hanging do\vn\\-ard, 0.8), and strong. It is made into sta YC es, posts, and 

with lateral veins much sunken on the shiny upper handles. Elsewhere it is employed in construction, 

surface; (3) m,ws of fragrant, delicate, small carpentr , and vehicles. 

white flowers with 5 petals and numerous spread- A sha i e-enduring understory tree of the lower 

ing stamens 5/8 inch across; and (4) oval berry mountain forests of Puerto Riml in some places 

about 1/4 inch long ~vitl~ calyx at a ex. 

extending into the upper mountain region. 

An evergreen tree 10-30 feet tal P and to 6 inches PUBLIC FORESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

in trunk diameter, with spreading crown. The &Iaricm, Tom Negro. 

gray bark is srnoothish, becoming sl~ghtly cracked Ran~~.-Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Lesser 

and fissured, and the trunk grooved. Inner bark Antilles from Guadeloupe to Grenada, and Triniis 

pinkish and bitter. 

dad. Also in Colombia, Venezuela, Guianas, and 

Petioles are about 1/4 inch long, and blades northern Brazil. 

2$4 inches long and l-gl/z inches wide, short- OTHER ~031310~ NABIES.-~~U~~ del chiquito 

pointed at base not flat but the sides bent up (Dominican Republic) ; goyavier (Grenada) ; 

slightly from the sunken midrib and the apex brJsillette, petite-feuille, goyavier queue-de-rat 

bent do\vnmarcl, inconspicuously hairy on veins (Guadeloupe) . 

and lower surface. The upper surface is shiny BOTANICAL SYNONY~S.-.~V~TC~U femginea Berg. 

yello~v green to green \.r-it11 the lateral veins near- This genus is represented by 4 more native spely 

parallel to mldrib, and the lower surface dull cies of small trees in addition to the 2 illustrated 

\\-l-hltish green with lateral veins much raised. here. The group has flowers in terminal and lat- 

Older leaves and twigs often are partly covered eral branched clusters ; calyx of 5 sepals which reby 

black masses of sooty mold fungus. 

main attached at apex of round or elliptic berry 

Flower clusters (panicles) 24 inches long and fruit; and 5 white petals. Two species (Nyrcia 

broad are terminal and lateral, those at apex actu- berberb DC. and dl. paganii Krug & Urban) mere 

ally at base of leaves and beside the terminal bud, recorded from Puerto Rico long ago but have not 

bearin man nearly stalkless flowers on the finely been collected there in recent years. 

hairy % ranc 1 es. Flower buds are whitish and Limoncillo del monte (Nyrcin citrifolia (Aubl.) 

rounded, about v8 inch in diameter. The most 

Urban), of moist areas in Puerto Rico and the 

conspicuous floral parts are the numerous threadlike 

curved stamens spreading more than 5/8 inch 

Virgin Islands, has ovate to oblong leaves %-2x 

across, each about 1,~~ inch long and ending in a inches long, blunt or short-pointed at apex, edges 

dotlike anther. The whitish hairy tubular base turned under, hairless or nearly so, and shiny, and 

(hypantllium) 3$6 inch long encloses the inferior round fruit l/q-3/8 inch in diameter. 

2-ce led ovary and bears the other parts. There Guayabac6n (Nyrcia Zeptoclada DC.) , of moist 

are 5 whitish hairy, rounded and widely spreading forests in Puerto Rico, has elliptic leaves 24 

sepals about 1/8 inch long and 5 round whlte petals inches long, with long-pointed apex, edges not 

less than 9i6 inch long, curved backward and near- turned under, and round hit 1/4 inch in diameter.

192. Clenegulllo 

Natural size 

JIyrcia defleza (Poir.) DC. 

41 1


193. Hoja menuda Mgrcia splendens (Sw.) DC. 

This small tree with opposite small leaves bear- hairy sepals, 5 white rounded petals nearly ?,$ inch 

in minute gland dots is easily clistinguished fro111 long, hairy on outside; numerous white stamens 

ot k lers II~I~II tllo sn~no common name by tlle very nearly inch long; and style more than 1/8 incll 

short-stalked leaves shiny green to dark green, 

sliglltly thickened, with very long tapering point lonT 1 lo fleshy fruits nre green when immature, turnand 

numerous rominent, straight, nearly parallel ing to clnrk blue or blllclrish, trncl have thin flesh 

lateral veins. 8 ther cl~nrncters are : (1) numerous :uld 1 lnrge seed. Elsewhere they nre reported to 

small white flosvers with 5 rounded etals, about be edible. Flowering :lnd fruiting nearly through 

9/g inch across the many spreading w R ite stamens, the yew. 

in lateral and terminal clusters most1 1-11/2 The sapwood is li ht brown to reddish bro~l-n 

inches long; and (2) elliptic or rounded t lackisll nnd htird. The har d wood is used for posts. 

berries 1/4-5i6 inch long, with ring of sepals at Co~nnion in forests and openings in moist areas 

apes. 

in tho lower mountain regions of Puerto Rico. 

An evergreen tree to 30 feet high and 4 inches in Also in St. Crois aid Tortola and reported from 

trunk dinmeter or often a shrub. The brown or St. Thomns. 

gray bark is rough, fissured, and flaky or divided PUBLIC m~~m.-Luquillo, Carite, Afaricao. 

~nto ninny smnv lntes. Inner bark is brown or R.\sGE.--Cuba, d:~ma~cn ( I Hispaniola, Puerdark 

red and sl~g f ltly astringent and bitter to the to Rico, St. Croix, Tortola, I2 sser Antilles from 

taste. The brown twigs are slender and finely St. Jlnrtin to St. Vincent and Barbados, and 

hairy. 

Tri~litlad and Tobago. Also Colombia to Peru, 

Petioles are '/lo inch or less in length and finely Bolivia, and Brazil. 

hairy. The thin blades are 1-3 inches long and OTHER COJIJION SAJIES.-MI~~ menuda (Puerto 

lh-1 inch widel rounded or short-pointed at base, Rico) ; birchberry, pr~nchberr (Virgin Islands) ; 

with sunken m~drib, edges sli htly turned under, arrnijln, eo~rleenrh, tinajem kubn) ; vioho ear i 

benentll paler green and slight f y shiny, hairy tvhen (Peru) ; black-birch (Montserrat) ; bois c&o P e 

young but nearly hairless at maturity. 

(St. Lucin) ; red rodwood (Barbados) ; wild 

Flower clusters (panicles) have slender hairy guava (Trinidad) ; small-leaf (Tobago) ; ibbibirtnches. 

The fragrant flower has a hairy tnbulnr 1):unnru (British Guiuna) ; petit merisier (Guadebase 

(hypnnthium) inch long and brond, loupe) ; merisier petites feuilles, ti feuilles, bois 

nvhicli encloses the inferior 2-celled ovary and crdole (bfttrtinique) ; Surinam-cherry (Dutch 

bettrs the otlter pnrts; 5 minute blu~~t-pointed West Indies) ; ~neerilang (Surinam).

193. Hoja menuda Mgrcla uplendere (SIT.) DC. 

Natural size.

MYRTLE FAMIL Y (MYRTACEAE) 

194 Malagueta, bay-rum-tree Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J. W. Moore 

The bay-rum-tree or malagueta,. including the 

variety ausii, is native and also cultivated both for 

the essential oil in its leaves and twigs and for 

ornament and shade. It is easily recognized by 

the stron pun nt odor of the leaves when 

crushed. &her &tinguishing characteristics are : 

(1) erect form w~th a dense columnar dark green 

crown; (2) smooth gray to light brown bark peeling 

off in thin strips exposing lighter gray shades 

beneath; (3) opposite, elliptic or obovate, mostly 

small, stiff and leathery leaves rounded at both 

ends or the apex notched or sometimes shortpointed, 

with minute land dots, shiny dark green 

on upper surface and %e neath paler or finely gray 

hairy, with midrib sunken and edges rolled under; 

(4) white flowers 3/g inch or more across the 5 

petals, several to many in lateral and terminal 

branched clusters; and (5) the rounded or elliptic 

fleshy black (or finely . gray hairy) fruits 

-- - 

inch-in diameter. 

This is a variable species with races differing in 

shape, size, color and hairiness of leaves, sliape 

and hairiness of Iruit, and in amount and quality 

of oil. One variety called ausi ( Phta racenwsa 

var. grisea (Kiaersk.) Fosberg) is characterized 

by fine1 gray or white hairy coats on 

under surfm of f eaves? young twigs, branches of 

flower clustsrs, and frults. 

A small to medium-sized everpen tree to 40 

feet high and 8 inches or more in trunk diameter, 

the trunk often slightly angled and ~ooved, or 

sometimes shrubby. Inner bark is pinkish and 

slightly bitter and astrin ent. The twigs are 

reen or dark green, with g 7 and dots, hairless (or 

!&ely gray hairy), and angled when young becoming 

brown. 

The leaves have short, green, reddish-tin d 

tioles Y8-S/s inch long and blades 1x4 inc Y les 

Eng and 14% inches broad or larger (recorded to 

6 inches long), hairless to finely gray hai~y 

beneath. 

The flower clusters (cymes) are 1-3 inches long 

and broad, gland-dotted, and bear fragrant glanddotted 

flowers on short stalks. There is a light 

reen tubular base (hypanthium) less than l/s inch 

Lng and broad, extending beyond ovary ; 5 broad, 

spreading sepals less than I/lo inch long; 5 white 

rounded petals more than Yg inch long and widely 

spreading; numerous white stamens 3i6 inch long; 

and istil com osed of inferior &-celled ovary and 

slenler, slight I' y bent, white style 3io inch. long. 

The berrylike fruits have sepals attached at apex 

and contain a few brown seeds more than l/s inch 

long. Flowering mainly in spring and summer 

(April to August) and maturing fruit in late summer 

and fall (August to October). 


brownis11 red or blackish and mottled. The mood 

is very hard, very heavy (specific gravity 0.8), 

strong, tough, durable, and resistant to attack by 

dry-wood termites. Employed for posts and in 

carpentry, it is said to split readily and to be excellent 

for fuel. 

The main product is myrcia oil (bay oil) obtained 

by distillation of the leaves and twigs and 

which is the important ingredient in bay rum, used 

in cosmetics and medicines. A yield of more than 

1 pound of bay oil has been extracted from 100 

pounds of leaves. Bay rum was originally prepared 

by distilling the leaves in rum. Compound 

myrcia spirit (bay rum) is composed of bay oil, 

orange 011, pimenta oil, alcohol, and water. 

Confined chiefly to the dry slopes of the lower 

Cordillera region of southwestern Puerto Rico, 

but commercial plantations ow near Adjuntas, 

Patillas, and Guayama. A%O in Vieques, St. 

John, St. Thomas, and Tortola. Re orted long 

ago from St. Cmix and now plante8 there. In 

St. John large forests of this species under management, 

have produced oil of superior ualit~ 

Pmn~c mnesrs.-Carib, Gunlatam, %uqulllo, 

Maricao, Susiia. 

R~~~~.-Tllrough West Indies from Cuba and 

Jamaica to Grenada and Tobago. Also in Venezuela 

and Guianas. Planted in southern Florida, 

Bermuda, Bahamas, and Trinidad, and in East 

Indies. 

OTH~ COJI~ON NAMES.-ausii, limoncillo 

(Puerto Rico) ; wild cilliment, wild cinnamon, 

cinnamon (Virgin Islands) ; malagueta, ozfia, 

Dominican Republic) ; pimienta de 

Tabasco c8ne1i110 ( b uba) ; bay-rum-tree, West Indian bayberry 

(English) ; bayberry-tree, wild cinnamon, 

wild olive (Jamaica) ; cinnamon (Montserrat, 

Grenadines) ; bayleaf (Barbuda, Tobago) ; bois 

d'Inde Fran~ais (Haiti) ; bois d71nde (Guadeloupe, 

Martinique, St. Lucia); bay boom 

(Surinam). 

BOTANICAL s~~ohm~s.-AnwmiS cary~phyzhta 

(Jacq.) Krug & Urban, Pimenta a d (Sw.) 

ICostel. 

BOTANICAL VARIETY.-ausii Pimenta racemosa 

var. grisea (Kiaersk.) ~osberg (synonyms P. 

acris var. grisea Kiaersk., Am& caryophyzhta 

var. grhecr. (Kiaersk.) Krug & Urban, A. grisea 

(Kiaersk.) Britton) . 

The generic name Pinwntcl is taken from the 

Spanish name for allspice, pimienta (Pimenta 

dioica (L.) Merr.* ; s nonyms P. officindis Lindl., 

P. pimenta (L.) Coc % .). This related species of 

Cuba, Jamaica, and continental tropical America 

is sometimes planted in Puerto Rico and the Virgin 

Islands. It has elliptic or oblong leaves 3-6 

inches long and many small white flowers about 

3i6 inch across, with 4 petals. The dried green 

berries l/li inch or less in diameter, with a flavor ressmhling 

n mist,ure of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg 

(or all spices), are used as a condiment.

194. Malagueta, bay-rum-tree 

Natural size. 

Plntenta racemoaa (~Uill.) J. W. Moore 

41 5


195. Guayaba, common guava Psidium guajava L.* 

Guayaba or guava is a well-known cultivated 

tree, because of the paste and jelly made from its 

fruits. It is characterized by: (1) shrubby form, 

the stems seldom straight; (2) smooth reddishbrown 

bark which is thin and scales off in thin 

sheets; (3) oblong or elliptic leaves with sunken 

veins and minute gland dots; (4) large white flowers 

about 1% inches across the 4 or 5 lnrge petals, 

mostly borne singly at leaf basos; and (5) rounded 

(sometimes pear-shaped) yellow edible fruits 

134-2 inches in diameter, with 4 or 5 sepals at 

apex. 

Generally a shrub or low, widely spreading overgreen 

tree 10-15 feet high and to 8 inches in diameter. 

Inner bark is brown and slightly bitter. 

Young twigs are 4-angled and slightly winged, 

hairy, and green, becoming brown. 

The leaves have short petioles 4/s-x inch long. 

Leaf blades are 24 inches long and 1-2 inches 

wide, short-pointed or rounded at both ends, 

slightly thickened and leathery, edges a little 

turned under, the upper surface green or yellow 

green, sligl~tly shiny, almost llairlfss at maturity, 

with the many parallel lateral velns sunken, and 

lower surface paler, finely hairy, and with lateral 

veins raised. 

The fragrant flowers are scattered on stalks 

inch long at base of a leaf. The green finely hrury 

tubular base (hypanthium) 3/s inch long and 

broad encloses the ovary and bears the other parts. 

There are 4 or 5 yellow-green, slightly thickened, 

finely hairy sepals 3/g-Y8 inch long; 4 or 5 elliptic 

rounded white petals 5/g-3/q inch long; and very 

numerous brushlike spreacl$g stamens with slen- 

der white filaments averag!ng 1, inch long; and 

pistil consisting of the inferior 4- or 5-celled ovary 

and slender ~vhite style 7/16 inch long. 

Cultivated varieties of this variable species 

differ in fruit characters. The fruits (berries) 

hare a strong mello~v odor at m,zt,urit,y. TVitllin 

the thin, yellow, slightly sour, edible outer layer 

are llumerous yellow seeds more than y8 inch Ion 

in a juicy, pinkish or yellow ulp. Flowering an 

fruiting nmrly throughout t R e year. 

The sapn-ood is light brown, and the heartwood 

bron-n or reddish. The hard, strong, heavy wood 

(specific gravity 0.8) has been used for handles 

and implements. 

Common1 cultivated as a fruit tree. The fruits 

are unusua.1 i'? y rich in vitamin C. The outer la er 

of the fruit is preserved and canned commercia r ly, 

as is the juice. Guava powder has been prepared 

from the dehydrated fruits also. Else~rhere the 

bark has been employed in tanning. Extracts 

from leaves, bark, roots, and buds have served in 

folk medicine. 

Forming thickets and spreading in pastures, 

chiefly on the coastal plains but also in t le lower 

mountain regions of Puerto Rico. Also in Mona, 


Tortola. 

Rh~a~.-Native of tropical America probably 

from southern Mexico south to South America, the 

range greatly extended beyond through cultiva- 

tion. Planted and naturalized also in southern 

Florida including Florida Keys (grown also in 

California), Bermuda, a.nd throughout West In- 

dies from Bahamas and Cuba to Trinidad, and 

south to Brazil. Cultivated in Dutch West Indies. 

Also introduced in tropical and subtropical 

regions of the Old World. 

OTHER COMMON NAJTES.-~U~V~ (Virgin Is- 

lands) ; guaynba, guayava, yayabo (Spanish) ; 

guayaba perulera (Nicaragua) ; payabo dulce 

(Colombia) ; arazii-puitii (Argentina) ; common 

guava, guava (United States) ; guava (English) ; 

wild guava (British I-Ionduras) ; goyave, goyavier 

(French) ; goyavier i fruits (Guadeloupe) ; gu- 

yaba, goeajaaba, guava (Dutch West Indies) ; 

gunve, goejnba (Surinam) ; goiaba, gobiabiem 

(Brazil). 

%

195. Guayaba, common guava 


Psidiunt guajava L. 

417 '

MELASTOME FAMILY (MELASTOMATACEAE) 


A. Leaves broadly ovate, with 7 main veins from base, reddish tinged above, bristly hairy; petioles and twigs with 

sticky red hairs-197. Heterolricltunl, cgmosum. 

aa. Leaves narrow, elliptic to lance-shaped, wltli 3 or 5 main veins from base, hairless or soft hairy. 

B. Leaves mostly rounded at apex; minute brown scales on petioles, blades, and young twigs-196. Caly- 

cogo#tiunt squamulosunt. 

BB. Leaves long- or short-pointed at apex ; not scaly. 

C. Leaves green on both surfaces, hairless or nearly so, edges finely wavy-toothed-198. Nicottia praeinu. 

CC. Leaves densely whitish hairy on lower surface; petioles and young twigs light brown, finely scurfy hairg-- 

199. Tetraz~gia elaeagnoides. 

196. Jusillo Calycogonium squamulosum Cogn. 

This medium-sized tree, confined to the mountains 

of Puerto Rim, is readily distinguislled by : 

(1) the erect twigs frequently with clusters of 

erect leaves on ilewly llorizontal branches; (2) the 

opposite, elliptic, thick, yellow-green leaves with 

3 mnin veins from base, the 2 lateral veins near the 

turned under edges; (3) young twigs, petioles, 

flower stalks, flowers and fruits covered with small 

brown scales; and (4) the flowers more than s/s 

inch long and broad and with 4 white petals, usually 

3 together on a short stalk at base of leaf. 

An evergreen treo 30-50 feet high and to 1 foot 

in trunk diameter, wifh spreading crown of nearly 

horizontal branches and erect, leafy, brown or 

gray twigs. The bark is brown or gray, smoothish 

or slightly fissured, the inner bark also brown 

and almost tasteless. 

Petioles are %-I, inch long, and blades 11/44! 

inches long and 1/2-11, inches broad, the apex 

rounded or with a minute point, the base shortpointed. 

The upper surface is yellow green to 

green, slightly shiny, with inconspicuous minute 

dotlike scales, and with sunken midrib, and the 

lower surface paler yellow green and with minute 

brown scales. 

Flowers are borne at the end of a curved brown, 

sonly stalk about % inch long. The tubular base 

(llypanthium) and tubular 4-lobed calyx, both 

scnly brown, together are about 3/la inch lon and 

broad, angled and slightly flattened in the % ud; 

there are 4 spreading, white, reddish-tinged petals 

Y4 inch long; 8 stamens; and pistil with inferior 

4-called ovary and slender style 5/,6 inch long. 

The rounded berrylike fruit, with calyx remain- 

ing attached, is scaly brown, S/lH inch in diameter. 

It contains numerous minute brown seeds about 

$$,2 incll long. Flowering mainly in summer and 

fall (June to October), the fruit maturing in fall 

ancl winter. 

The sapwood is bright yellow. The attractive 

henrtmoocl is pinkish brown to pale brown, with 

micloly spacecl black streaks. The mood is hard, 

llenvy (specific gravity 0.74), strong, fine-textured, 

wit11 generally straight grain, and without growth 

rings. Rate of air-seasoning and amount of de- 

grade are moderate. Machining characteristics 

are as follon~s: planing, sanding, a?d resistance 

to screw splitting are poor; and shaping, turning, 

boring, and mortising are good. The \vood is very 

susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. It is 

of doubtful durability in contact with the ground, 

and old forest trees are frequently decayed. 

Uses are posts and poles, though preservative 

trentment is recommended. The wood seems suit- 

able also for furniture, patternmaking, veneer and 

~ly\rood, farm implements, tool handles, heavyduty 

flooring, turnery, boat parts, vehicles frames, 

heavy construction, and bridge timbers. 

In upper mountain forests in eastern and central 


PUBLIC FORESTS. - Carite, Guilltrte, Luquillo, 

Toro Negro. 

RANGE.-Icnomn only from Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COMMON ~~~t~s.--camasey jusillo, camasey 

negro (Puerto Rico) .

Natural size. 

Cal.ycogo~r ium 8qrca.m ulosunz Cogn. 

419


197. Camasey peludo Heterotrichum cymosum (Wendl.) Urban 

This distinctive shrub or small tree limited to 

Puerto Rico is ensil recognized by: 

straight, bristly, &ic$ (glandular), re$l)llti% 

1/,i-Y8 inch long (an also dense minute starshaped 

hairs) on twigs, petioles, flower stalks, 

flowers, and fruits; 2) the opposite, longbristly 

hairy, broad y ovate leaves reddls 1 tinged 

above, nit11 7 veins from base; (3) large white 

flowers 3/q inch long and broad, with 6-8 spreading 

petals, several in terminal clusters; and (4) the 

edible, purplish, very juicy berries 1/2 inch in 

diameter. 

An evergreen tree commonly less than 15 feet 

high and 3 inches in trunk diameter, sometimes 

lar er, ~vibh spreading crown. The brownish-gray 

bar% is smoothish and slightly fissured and thin. 

Inner bark is light brown and almost tasteless. 

The twigs are greenish and reddish tinged, becoming 

brown, wit11 long straight red hairs. 

The leaves have petioles 11/2-3y2 inches long, and 

thin but stiff blades 4-7 inches long and 34% 

inches wide (smaller belo~v flowew), long-pointed 

with slightly heart-shaped or rolinded base. The 

edges are finely toothed and wit.h bristly hairs, the 

upper surface is pen and bristly hairy, and the 

lower surface yellow green. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are br:lnched, 3-5 

inches long and broad. The very hairy tubular 

\ f"tiO1"d, 

base (hypnnthium) encloses the inferior ovary 

more than l/g inch in diameter and extends l/le 

inch above; the calyx tube is about l/s inch long 

and 1h inch across, widely spreading, wit11 6-8 

very nnrro\\-, very hairy, green lobes %inch long; 

there are 6-8 spreading white petals tlnged w~th 

pink, almost 1/2 inch long; tvice as many stamens 

as petals, pink, with yellow anthers; and pistil 

composed of inferior, several-celled ovary and 

slencler, curved style 7i6 inch long. 

The berries, rounded with a flattened spreading 

top of calyx tube and lobes remaining, are. slightly 

sweet to the taste. There are numerous tiny light 

brown seeds. In flower and fruit nearly through 


The sap\vood is light brown, moderately hard, 

and mediumweight (specific gravity 0.6). Because 

of the small size and spreading form of the tree 

the wood is little used. 

Common and widely distributed in open areas, 

such ,as roadsides in the mountain forest regions 


PUBLIC FO~STS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

Alaricao, Rio Abnjo, Toro Negro. 

Rasa~.-I~no~~*n only from Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COJIMON NAJIES.-~~~~R, terciopelo, camasey 

de paloms (Puerto Rico).

191. Camasey peludo Heterotrichunr, cytnoeutn (Wendl.) Urban 

Natural slze. 

42 1

198, Camasey 


B 

Miconia prasina (Sw.) DC. 

Camasey (Niconia and related genera) is re - cific gravity 0.7) is little used except as fuel. Not 

resented by many s ecies of small trees and shru s durable as a fencepost. 

in Puerto Rico. Rile of the commoner species, Common in the moist coastal, moist !imestone, 

this is chnricterized by: (1) .opposite, narrowly and lower mountain forests in Puerto R~co. Also 

elliptic leaves finely wavy-toothed, green and in Tortola. 

slightly shiny on both sides, with 5 main veins, the PUBLIC ~o~~s~s.-Carite, Luquillo, Rio Abajo, 

2 airs of lateral veins joined to the midrib at Toro Negro. 

di ti erent points near base (5-nerved) ; (2) small R~xo~.-Common and widelv distributed in 

whitish flowers in large terminal clusters with tropical America. Cuba, ~amiica, Hispaniola, 

horizontal, paired, spreading branches; and (3) Puerto Rico, and Tortol:~. Lesser Antilles in Anrounded 

purplish-blue berries 5/16 inch in diameter. tigua, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and 

An ever een shrub or small tree to 25 feet high Grenada, and Trinidad and Margarita. Also 

and 4 inc (if es in trunk diameter. The bark is from soothenl Alexico to Peru, Boliva, Paraguay, 

smooth, gray, and thin, the inner bark yellowish and Brazil. Botanical varieties are distinguished 

brown and bitter. The stout gray-brown twigs are 

minutely hairy with star-shaped hairs when young 

in different parts of the broad mnge. 

and with faint rings at nodes. 

OTHER COiUJION NA3fES.--C%maSey blanco (Pu- 

The leaves have winged or wingless petioles erto Rico) ; panadillo bobo, cenizoso (%minican 

1/4-1 inch long and blttdes 41/2-71/ inches Ion and Republic) ; mullaca colorado, mullu caspi (Peru) ; 

ll,4-2-2y, inches broad, the apex fong-pointef and sardine (Trinidad) ; mrnia (British Guiana) ; 

base short-pointed, slightly thickened, usually snnto, selele b616t&re, konorrhpie, pintjo (Suri. 

hairless or nearly so at maturity. The veins are nam) ; jacatirgo, mondururu preto (Brazil). 

a little sunken on upper surface and raised on the This genus hns 15 additional native species of 

lower surface, which is slightly lighter green. small trees or shrubs recorded from Puerto Rico 

Flower clusters ( anicles) are 3-6 inches long and the Virgin Islands, found generally in moist 

and 2 4 inches bron g , with branches covered with areas and known commonly as camasey. Britton 

minute star-shaped hairs, bearing many stalkless and J7Tilson (Botany of Porto Rico and the Virflowers 

1/4 inch long. The tubular base (hypan- gin Islands 6 : 6-11,555. 1925) published botanithium) 

and slightly 5-lobed calys are less than l/s 

inch long, finely hairy; bhere are 5 small white 

cal descriptions and n key for identification. 

petals more than 'fia inch long; 10 spreading sta- 

These species are : Niconia foseolata Cogn., N. immens 

with white filaments; and pistil composed of petiolnt-is (Sm.) D. Don, N. laevigata (I,.) DC., 

inferior ovary, slender style, and rounded stifima. -If. lnnata (DC.) Triana, M. microcarpa DC., N. 

The berries are slightly flattened, juic e ~ble oftoschulzii Urban C Ekman, N. pnchyphy2la 

but slightly sour and almost tasteless, 1" here are Cogn., N. pzu~ctnta (Desv.) D. Don, r4f. pycnoman 

brown seeds about %z inch long. I11 flower neura Urban, N. racemoaa (Aubl.) DC., M. rubiand 

&uit nearly through the year. 

ginoaa (Bonpl.) DC., N. sinteniaii Cogn., N. sub- 

The sapwood is li ht brown, and the heart\vood coq~nbosa Britton, N. tetrandra (Sw.) D. Don, 

is grayish brown. %he hard, lieavy \\-ood (spe- and N. tho~nasiana DC.

Natural size. 

Niconia praeina (Sw.) DC. 

423


199. Verdiseeo Tetrazygia elaeagnoides (Sw.) DC. 

This small tree is easily recognized by the erect 

conical crown which is grayish m appearance, thc 

thick furrowed gray bark, and the opposite, mostly 

small, lance-shaped leaves with 3 main veins 

from near base to apex and with the lower surface 

whitish and densely fine hairy. The spreading 4- 

etaled white flowers, 9/4 inch broad and almost as 

are borne in short, few-flowered terminal 

L, 

clusters, and the fruit is a rounded berry nearly 

3/8 inch in diameter, with calyx at apex. 

An evergreen tree 20-30 feet high and to 6 

inches in trunk diameter, with a crown of thin 

foliage. The inner bark is light brown and slightly 

sour to the taste. Young twi , petioles, and 

branches of flower clusters are li % brown, finely 

scurfy hairy. Older twigs are f ark brown. 

Leaves have petioles l/q-4/2 inch long and blades 

1%-3 inches long and %-?/4 inch broad, most1 

short-pointed (sometimes blunt-pointed) at bot i 

apex and base, thickened, dark green and hairless 

on upper surface, and whitish, soft hairy beneath. 

There are many small parallel veins almost at 

ri ht angles to midrib. 

slower clusters (panicles) branched, 1-2 inches 

long, the few flowers short-stalked. The tubular 

base (hypanthium) extends 4/8 inch above the inferior 

ovary about +& inch lonp contracted, scaly 

hairy, with short spreading ca yx tube 9i6 inch in 

diameter, membranous at edge; 4 broad and 

rounded petals s/8 inch long, narrowed at base, 

white but fading to pink; 8 slender stamens ?,$ 

inch long; and p~stil with inferior 4-celled ovary 

and slender, sli htly curved style more than $ 

inch lon . The % erry is broader than long and 4- 

lobed, &shy and containing numerous minute 

seeds. Flowering and fruiting probably through 


TK~ sapwood is light bmwn and hard. The tree 

is used chiefly for fenceposts. 

Hillsides and cutover lands in the moist limestone 

forest region in northern and western Puerto 

Rico. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, 

St. John, and Tortola. 

PUBLIG ~o~.~s.-Cambalache, Guajahca, 

Vega. 

MUNICIPALITY 

RANGE-His aniola and Puerto Rico and Virin 

Islands. A P so recorded from Montserrat and 

%artinique. 

OTHER COXMON NAMES.--mrnasey cenizo, cenizo, 

(Puerto Rico) ; kre-kre (Virgin Islands). 

Another species (Tetrmygia angustifo2ia (Sw.) 

DC.) is a small tree or shrub through the Virgin 

Islands, common on St. John, but absent from 

Puerto Rico. It has narrower lance-shaped leaves, 

clusters of many small flowers about % inch lon 

and broad, with yellowish or ink petals, an ti 

iameter. 

WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.-^^. ' 

small blackish berry %6 inch in $

-- 

Natural size. 

Tetrazugia ebeagnoideo (Sm.) DC. 

425

GINSENG FAMILY (ARALIACEAE) 

Key to the 2 species ill ustrated (Nos. !20&201) 

A. Leaves simple--200. Dendropanao arboreus. 

88. Leaves digitate or palmately compound, with usually 

A small to medium-sized tree characterized by : 

(1) mostly long-stalked (to 4 inches) elliptic to 

ovate leaves, dark green and slightly shiny above 

and light green beneath; (2) terminal com ound 

flower clusters of numerous small, usua I' ly 5- 

parted, greenish-yellow flowers s/16 inch across on 

shorter stalks in b:ill-like clusters 1/2-3/q inch 

across, which are borne on long equal stalks along 

the main axis; and (3) fleshy rounded fruit 

(berry) about inch in diameter, turning from 

whitis11 green to black at maturity. 

An evergreen tree to 40 feet or more in height 

and 1 foot in trunk diameter, with wide spreading 

rounded crown, hairless througliout. The bark is 

light gray, smooth or warty with raised dots 

(lenticels) or becoming slightly fissured. Inner 

bark is whitish and tasteless. Twigs are green, 

turning to pay, slender or stout. 

Leaves are alternate, the green petioles mostly 

long but varying from very short to very long, 

x4 inches. Blades are 2-8 inches long and 1%- 

3% inches wide, short- to long-pointed at apex and 

short-pointed to rounded at base, thin to slightly 

thickened, not toothed on edges, the lateral veins 

often slightly sunken on upper surface. On young 

shoots the leaves are reported to be often 3-lobed. 

Flo~\-er clusters (raceme of umbels with compound 

umbel at apex) are 2-5 inches long and 2 

inches across, t.he branches about s/4 inch long and 

flomer stalks about $4 inch long, the axis and 

branches yellow green. Flower parts usually 5, 

sometimes 6 or 7, of each kind. A flower consists 

of a basal tube (hypanthium) about 1/16 inch long 

and broad, partly enclosing the inferior 5-celled 

ovary and bearing the minute 5-toothed calyx, 5- 

pointed yellow petals more than 1/16 inch long, 5 

erect stamens 1/16 inch long, and top of ovary with 

5 pnrtly united styles. 

The fruits upon drying become 5-angled and 

contain 5 flattened seeds nearly inch long, nrranged 

starlike. The styles remain at apex of 

Dendropanax arboreus (L,) Decne. & Planch. 

frnit. Flowering and fruiting nearly through the 

year. 

The sapwood is whitish or yellowish brown. 

The 

' 

moderately soft, moderately lightweight wood 

s ecific gravity 0.5) is little used. 

E lsewhere a decoction of the leaves and roots 

has been employed in home medicines. A honey 

plant. 

IVidely distributed in the lower mountain and 

~iioist limestone regions of Puerto Rico, especially 

in tlie coffee plantations of the central and western 

Cordillera. Also in St. Thomas and Tortola. 

I'URLIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, Guajataca, Luquillo, 

Blaricao, Rio Abajo, Susiirt, Toro Negro. 

B~UXICIPALITIELS WHERE ESPECIALLY OOMMON.-6, 

35. 

RANGE.-Common and widespread in tropical 

hmorica. Greater Antilles, St. Thomas, Tortola, 

St. Vincent, Grenada, and Trinidad. Mexico 

(Sinaloa to Tamaulipas and southward) to Colombia, 

Venezuela (including Margarita) , Peru, 

and Bolivia. Also planted m southern Florida. 

OTEEEI~ COXMON NB~IES.--P&~O de pol10 (Puet't.0 

Rico) ; ramdn de costa, ram6n de vaca, lengun de 

vaca, palo de burro (Dominican Republic) ; 

vibona, ramljn de vaca, ramdn de caballo, palo 

santo (Cuba) ; mano de oso, mano de lebn, palo 

santo, palo de danta, palo guitar0 (Blexico) ; 

Innno de le6n (El Salvador) ; vaquero (Panama) ; 

pamn (Venezuela) ; galipee angelica-tree (Jamaica) 

; bois nkgresse (~aitij . 

BOTASICAL s~~o~~x.-Gitihertia arborea (L.) 

E. March. 

Gongoli (Dendropanax laurifolius (E. March.) 

Decne. b Planch.), also called palo de pollo negro, 

palo cle cacllumbn, palo de vaca, vibona, and 

vibora, is a related tree species known only from 

moist forests of Pnerto Rico. It has the flower 

clusters spreading and branched (umbels in 

umbel-like clusters), tlie stalks of the branches up 

to ll/z inches long.


Dendropauua, crrborerrr (I,.) Decne. L Planch.

GINSENG FAMILY (ARALIACEAE) 

201. Yagrumo macho, matchwood Didymopanax morototoni (Aubl.) Decne. & PIanch. 

A striking tree easily recognized by its distinc- Flowering and fruiting nearly throughout the 

tive branching, crown, and leaves. The smooth, year. 

gray, ringed trunk, unbranched below, has a few The wood is ale brown or light brown throughstout 

branches above, bearin in uppermost part a out, soft, fair y lightweight (specific gravity 

f 

T 

sllallow crown like an umbre la formed by the ter- 0.36), fine-textured, strrtight-grained, brittle, and 

minal clusters of leaves. The very large leaves has large pith. It is very susceptible to attack by 

are palmately compound, with a long stout round dry-wood termites and other insects and to decay. 

etiole 2 feet or less in length and usual1 10 or 11 The rate of air-seasonin is ra id, but the amount 

Ibng-stalked oblong leaflets with blaBes 10-1'7 of degmde is ConsiderabTe. dchining eharacterinches 

long, long- ointed at apex, and beneath istics are as follows: planing, shnping, mortising, 

brown or greenish 1 romn with a satiny coat of fine and sanding are good ; turning is very poor; boring 

hairs. 

is oor; and resistance to screw splitting is ex- 

As the common name suggests, this s ecies re- cel 

umo hembra (Cecropia pe B 

P ent. 

tata L.) , In Puerto Rico the wood is little used, though 

-bles a botanica yapr ly unrelated tree. However, in yag- it is es ecially suitable for boxes and crates. 

rumo hembra the leaves are not compound but IVhero t E e trees are more abundant and of larger 

almately veined and palmately lobed with size, uses include general carpentry, interior con- 

memtl 

roun e lobes and they are whitish rather tl~a~l struction, and boxes. In Trinidad and British 

bromn beneath. Guiana the wood is made into matchsticks and 

An evergreen tree becoming 60 feet cw more in matchboxes. Other possible uses are utilit grnde 

height, with trunk 6-18 inches in diameter, in plywood, toys, pulp, and as a substitute for K eavier 

Puerto Rico usually medium-sized. The gray or grades of balsa. 

light brown bark is smooth with many faint hori- Of possible value as an ornamental, growing 

zontal rings and large leaf scars about 3 inches rapidly and requiring light. The leaves have 

apart. Inner bark is brownish and slightly bitter served in home remedies in other places. 

or spicy in taste. The twigs, petioles, under sur- Scattered in forests of the lower mountain moist 

faco of leaflet blades, flower stalks, and flowers are coast and moist limestone regions of Puerto Rico. 

minutely gray or brown hairy. The few twigs are Also in St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

very large and stout, about 1% inches in diameter PUBLIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, Carite, Guajaand 

finely brown hairy. tacn, Luquillo, Mnricao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Toro 

Leaves are alternate but closely crowded, with Negro, Vega. 

sheath of 2 hairy pointed scales stipules) 1/4-l/z MUNICIPALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.inch 

long at base. At apex of t 6 e round green 4, 6,10,19,20, 22,23,27, 29,30,40,43,49,51, 53, 

petiole are usually 10 or 11 spreading een leaflet 58,50. 

stalks 21/24,, inches long. Leaflet b f ades are 4- RANGE.-IVidespread in wet forests of tropical 

7% inches wide, and rounded or sometimes a little America. West Indies in Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerheart-sha 

ed at base, the ed s often a little wavy, to Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Guadeslightly 

t P ickened and leat A" ery, above green and loupe, and Trinidad. Continental tropical Amerhairless. 

Young leaflets are brown hairy on both ica from southern Mexico (Onxam) to Bolivia, 

surfaces. However, leaflets of young plants are Argentina, Brazil, and Guianas. Also planted in 

green on both sides and rough hair above, thin, southern Florida. 

sometimes saw-toothed on edges, an8smaller, with OTIXER COMBION NAJIEB.-~~~~ cimnrrona (Puershorter 

petiole and fewer leaflets (7 or more). to Rico) ; morototo, mandioquiera (commerce) ; 

Flower clusters (panicled umbels) me lateral, palo de sable, sablito, yapumo macho (Dominiabout 

1-2 feet long and broad, with branches gray can Republic ; zapatcin, yagrumo macho, arriero, 

and finely hairy. The very numerous flowers are gavildn, ba d ana, cordobiin, padero, papay6n 

grouped at ends of branches into numerous small (Cuba) ; chancaro blanco, roble blanco (Mexico) ; 

rounded clusters (umbels) less than 1/2 inch across, costilla de dnnto (Nicarn @a) ; pava, pavilla, 

on spreading flower stalks s6-s/,6 inch long. The probad0 (Costa Rita) ; mangab6, argorhn, Pava 

5-parted hely brownish and gray hairy flower (Panama) ; Yarumero, yryrume ( 8 olombia) ; Yaabout 

s/16 inch across has a minute basal tube (hy- WUmO macho, orumo macho, sun-~fin, hi erete, 

pnthium) less than x6 inch long enclosing the tinajero (Venezuela) ; sacha-uva, nnonillo Fern 

yitarrero (Bolivia) ; ambag-razti (Argentina 

inferior 2-celled ovnry and bearing the minute 6- mntch,vood, jeret6n (Trini a ) ; mountain trumcal~ 

X, white pointed petals more than pet (British Honduras) ; kamhoro, mnt&wood, 

1/16 inch long, 5 stamens, and 2 styles. morototo (British Guiatna) ; arbre de Saint-Jean 

The fleshy fruit (berry) , gray and covered with (French Guiann) ; morototo, cassnvehout, bigi 

8 bloom, is about 3$J16 inch long, % inch broad, and boesie, papajnhoedoe, kasabahoedoe (Surinam) ; 

a little flattened, with 2 styles at apex. It con- morotot6, mandioqueira, marupi, matatauba 

tains 2 oblong flattened brown seeds sJ16 inch long. (Brazil). 

428

201. Ynymo macho, matchwood 

Didurnpanax morototo~ti (Aubl.) Decne. & Planch. 

Flowers, leaflet, and fruits, two-thirds natural size; Immature leaf (lower right), reduced.

MYRSINE FAMILY (MYRSINACEAE) 


A. Ikares elliptic to obovate, with flattened or winged petiole; flo~era and fruib many in terminal clusters--2m. 

:Lrdisia oborata. 

Ah. I.eares lance-shaped or elliptic, clustered near ends of twigs. with slender petiole; flowers nnd fruita many in 

almost stalkless clusters along twigs. 

B. T\vigs rusty-brown hairy ; leaves slightly hairy beneath, lanceshaped, short-pointed-203. Rapattea 

ferruginea. 

BB. Twigs hairless; leaves hairless, elliptic, rounded or blunt-pointed-2(U. Rapanea guianenrfe. 

202. Mameyuelo Ardisia obovata Desv. 

This shrub or smnll tree is chitrncterized by : (1) Tlie numerons berries nre ro~tlicl or slightly 

elliptic or obovtlte sligl~tly shiny leaves, leathery brolider t llan long, with short point (style) at end, 

n11tl slightly succ~tle~it, w1t11 inconspicnous veins t~~r~~i~iy from green to recl to blackish at mnturity, 

with ~einute gland dots 011 both sides, bl~lt-~ohlted wit11 tke dark red flesh and 1 large round brown 

or rounded at apes, often broadest above middle, seed 9/16 inch in diameter. Flower~ng and fruiting 

and gradually narrowed at base to tlie broad or tlironphout the year. 

~vingeed etiole; (2) erect, terminal, much branched Tl~e sal>~voocl is pinkish, and the heartnpood is 

flower c P uster 3-5 inches long and broad, with ver light reddish brown. The hard, heavy wood is 

nlnn s~nall greenish flotve~s .3/8 inch across, w ~t 

7, 

1 I usctl only for posts in Puerto Rico. 

tiny lack dots; and (3) mnny black 1-seeded fruits In tlie moist and dry limestone forests nt lower 

%-?/la inch in diameter. 

t111cl middle elevations in Puerto Rico. An under- 

A\n evergreen shrub or sl~lall tree 10-20 feet high story tree or shrub. Also Vieques, St. Croix, St. 

and to 4 inches in dinmeter, hairless tl~roughout. Thomns, St. .John, Tortola and Virgin Gordn. 

Tlie stout twigs nre givte~iisll when young, becom- Pun~~a ~onms.-~nmbninche, Guajntaca, SusCm. 

ing liglit gra\y. B?rk on small trunks is smoothisl~, RANGE.-Bahamas (North Cnicos only), Hisgrn 

r, and thin, \nth pi~ikish, tnsteless inner bark. pzuiiola, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, and ks- 

'?he ~lternnte leaves have flnttened or winged ser Antilles from Suba to St. Lucin. 

!~etioles l/i-3/g incll long. Blndes are 2?&51/2 OTmx CO~ZJION x.nr~s.-biduln (Puerto Rico) ; 

tnches long nnd 1-2 inches broad, wit11 edges sllgl~t- Guaclcloupe tnarlberry (Bahamas). 

ly turned under, green on ul)per surface and paler I~(Y~~\SICAL srsos~~rs.-Ardisia gua&Zn~pensis 

beaeath. 

D~~cll., /ccrco?*ea gundalttpensi~ (Di~ch.) Britton. 

The flower cluster (11:lnicle) contains crowded, 

short-stalked flo\rel*s. Calyx is composed of 

.\notller species of mameyuelo (-.lrdisia glauci- 

5 

rounded lobes $56 incli long; coroll:~ with short $OIM r a n ; synonym Icacorea glaztciflora 

tube and l~sulilly 5 ellil~tie lobps nearlg inch (Url)an) Britton) is a smnll tree known only from 

long, which are sprending or turned ack\vnrtls 1110111ltaili forests of Puerto Rico. It has larger, 

nncl 96 i~ich across; 6 stcimens inse~-tecl near !)ri:e ellipt ic, thick, leathery leaves 4-8 inches long with 

of corolln tube and opposite tl,b lobes; and plst,11 1wominent ~~etwork of veins, n~id many larger 

with 1-celled ovary and short style. 

flo\\.cts about 1/2 inch across.


Ardisia obovata Desv. 

43 1

MYRSINE FAMILY (MYRSINACEAE) 

203. Mantequero Rapanea ferruginea (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez 

This common small tree is distinguished by : (1) 

lance-shaped shiny green leaves numerous and 

crowded near ends of twigs, with minute gland 

dots on both sides; (2) long slender taip ru+ybrown 

hairy, green~sh near apex but ecomlng 

brown ; (3) many inconspicuous snlnll yellowgreen 

flo\vers almost stalkless in scaly Intern1 clusters 

mostly back of leaves; and (4) numerous 

round blnck fruits 1/8 inch or ]nore in diameter, 

almost stalkless and crowded dong the twigs for 

n few inches. 

Smnll evergreen tree 15-30 feet high and 3-6 

inches in trunk diameter, with erect crown. The 

bark is smooth or sli htly fissured, thin, and py. Inner bnrk is wliitis f 1 or light brown, tasteless or 

sli htly astringent, with sticky sap. 

fenves are alternate but close together, with 

finely hairy petioles %-I,,$ inch long. Blades are 

11h-4 inches lon and I,,$-1 inch broad, widest at 

middle or a litt F e beyond, shortointed at apex 

nnd ~npering to the ~on~-~ointeS base, slightly 

thickened, and with edges turned under. The 

lower surfnce is paler and usually slightly hairy. 

The s rending flowers about v8 inch across are 

male nn fl female on different trees or some flowers 

bisexual (polygamo-dioecious) . Calyx is deeply 

6-lobed; t,he spreading corolla has 5 narrow, 

ointed lobes, yellow green with pink dots; 5 stalk- 

Lss stnmens m the comlln and opposite the lobes; 

and istil composed of 1-celled ovary with short, 

lobe B stigma. 

The berries change color from green to red to 

blnck at maturity and contain purplish flesh and 

1 round brown seed less than 4/s inch long. Flower- 

in and fruiting nearly through the year. 

the whitish snpnood, chnrnclerized by promi- 

nent whits rnys, is hard and heavy (specific grav- 

ity 0.7). The wood is used chiefly for fenceposts. 

In open moist forests in Puerto Rico from near 

sea level almost to the summit of Cem Punta, 

above 4,000 feet in altitude. Characteristic of 

o enings, clearings, and edges of forests and prob- 

a 1 light requiring. 

'~IJBLIC mmsm.-Cnrite, Guilarte, Luguillo, 

Maricno, Toro Nep. 

R~~o~.-Grater Antilles and throughout 

Lesser Antilles from Saba and St. Kitts to Gren- 

ada. Also from Mexico and Central America to 

Argentina, Uruguay, and Bmzil. 

OTHER COBIMON NAMEB.-~IT~~~~, arrnyln bobo, 

Mduln (Pi~erto Rico) ; hojita largn, palo de snbann 

(Dominican Republic) ; camagiiilla (Cuba) ; amatillo 

(El Salvador) ; manglillo (Panama) ; espadero 

(Colombia) ; manteco, manteco blanco, mantquero, 

mnntequito (Venezuela) ; canel6n-puitB 

(Argentinn) ; bois plomb, bois savanne ,(Haiti) ; 

nzeitona brnva, azeitona do mntto (Brazil).

Natural size. 

Rapanea ferruglnea (Ruis & Pav.)Mez 

433

MYRsINE FAMILY (MYRSINACEAE) 

204. Biidula, Guiana rapanea Rapanea gutanensis Aubl. 

This smt~l1 tree resembles its close relative man- sprending corolla wit11 5 unequal pointed lobes dottequero 

( li'upanea fen~uginea (Ruiz & Pav.) Mez) ted wit11 purple: 5 stalkless stamens on the corolla 

but is hairless throu hout and has broader leaves and opposite the lobes; and pistil with 1-celled 

with mostly rotlsdef npices and sliglltly lnrger ovary nncl short-lobed stigma. Tho berries have 

flowers nnd fruits. It is characterized by : (1) the thin flesh nnd 1 largo brown seed more than 4! inch 

elli tic, sliditly shiny,. green leaves clustered at in dinmeter. Collected in flo~rer in spring and 

ent f s of t\vigs, wit11 minute gland dots on both with fruits in summer. 

sides; (2) tho long slender twigs, greenish when The light brown, hnrd, strong wood is used 

young, becoming light brown; (3) numerous small chiefly for posts. 

green~sh flowers nlmost stalkless in scaly lateral In the moist nnd dly limestone forests in northclusters 

mostly bnck of leaves; and (4) many ern and western Puerto Rico. Also in Tortola. 

round blue-black fruits inch in diameter Pvnr~c ~oa~s.rs.-Cambalache, Guajatnca, Rio 

crowded along the twigs for a few inches. 

Abnjo, Susiln. 

A small evergreen tree to 25 feet high and 3-6 Rasa~.-Centinl nnd southern Florida includinclies 

in trunk diameter, with straight axis, open ing Florida Keys, Bnhnmas, Greater Antilles, 

nncl narrow crown, nnd relntively fern unbranched Tortoln, Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe to 

twigs. The thin grny bnrk is smooth or slightly Grenada, nnd Trinidad and Tobago. Also in 

fissured. Inner bnrk is reddish or brown, slightly soutllern 'blexico, British Honduras, Costa Rica, 

bitter or almost tasteless. 

and South America from Colombia to Bolivia, Ar- 

Tlie leaves, alternate but close together, have gentina, Brnzil, and Guianns. 

etioles X-lh inch long. Blades are 23 inches 

pal, inches broad, widest at middle or be- 

OTHER COMJIOS ~~~r~s.-mameyuelo (Dominiond, 

rounded or blunt- ointed at apes, pointed at 

can Repablic) ; cnmagiiilla (Cuba) ; chngualito 

gnse, sIig11tl-y thickenex and with edges turned (Colombin) ; mmlteco blanco, mameycillo, cucharo 

under. The lower surfnce is pnler. 

(Venezueln) ; cane1611 (Argentinn, commerce) ; 

Male nnd foniale flowers are on different trees Guinnn rnpnnen, my~sine (United States) ; myror 

some flowers bisexual (polygnmo-dioecious) , sine (Bnlinmns) ; dalcnrn (British Guinna) ; fuelle 

greenish and more than 3/1(3 inch across. Tlie small ca~lello (Haiti) ; dnlcarn, ltonnparan, mannie 

cttlys is deeply 5-lobed, dotted with purple; the botieie (Surinnm) .

204. Bbdula, Guiana rapanea 

Natural size. 

Rapattea guionensk Aubl. 

435

SAPODILLA FAMILY (SAPOTACEAE) 

Key to the 10 species illustrated (Nos. 206214) 

A. Leaves with many straight, parallel side veins nearly at right angle to midrib. 

B. Leaves small, less than 3% inches long ; fruite elliptic, inedible. 

C. Leaves abruptly short-pointed; the lower sureace reddish brown, tlnely silky hairy-211. Mfcropholia 

ohrueoohulloidea. 

CC. ~eavei rounded or slightly notched at apex, green on both surfaces, becoming bairleaa or nearly -212. 

dficropholle garclniaefolia. 

BB. Leaves more than 8 inches long ; fruits round, edible. 

D. Leaves rounded, blunt-pointed, or notched at apex; fruits about 1 inch in diameter-209. Mantlkara ' 

Bidentata. 

DD. Leaves short-pointed; fruits 1M-S inches in diameter (sapodi1la)-2lO. Manilkara zapota.* 

AA. Leaves with several side velns at acute angle to midrib, mostly curved at end. 

Ill. Leaves mostly lance-shaped, long-pointed at both ends, the edges appearing finely wavy or wrinkled-208. 

Dipholia aalicifolia. 

EE. Leaves broader, moatly elliptic. 

F. Leaves with short petiole less than % inch long. 

G. Leaves elliptic, broadeet near middle, less than 5 inches long. 

H. Leaves with lower surfaces grayish or silvery green and often silky hairy-205. Chryaophyllum 

argenteum. 

HH. Leaves with lower surfaces reddish brown or golden silky hairy. 

I. Fruit round, several-seeded, 2-3 inches in diameter (star-apple)-208. Ohryeophyllum 

cainlto. 

11. Fruit elliptic, 1-seeded, about 96 inch long--21YI. Chiy~8opl~yllum olivt-e. 

GG. Leaves narrowly elliptic, broadest beyond middle, large, 5-16 inches long-218. Pouterh muztijtm. 

FF. Leaves with long slender petiole more than % inch long, often slightly winged toward apex; midrib 

yell~w-214. Biderow tort foetldfaatritum. 

205. Lechecillo 

This tree with milky sap is characterized by: 

(1) a spreading low crown ; (2) elliptic or oblon 

leaves with lower surfaces slightly grayish or sil! 

very green and often silky hairy and with lateral 

veins straight and arallel, almost at right anglw 

Y 

to midrib and r eg arly spaced l/s-% inch apart; 

(3) small greenish-yellow bell-shaped flowers 

about s/16 inch long clustered at leaf bases; and 

(4) oval or rounded, dark blue, edible berries s/8- 

3/4 inch long. 

An evergreen, usually small tree 15-25 feet hi h 

and 4-8 inches in diameter. Bark on small trun s 

is smoothish or much fissured, light brown or gray, 

the inner bark pinkish and slight1 bitter. Young 

twigs am greenish and finely lairy, becoming 

bromn or gray. The bud composed of youngest 

leaves is brown and finely hairy. 

The alternate leaves have finely hairy petioles 

Y*-3/g 

inch long. Leaf blades are 21/24 inches long 

and 1%-2% inches broad, mostly short-pointed at 

apex and short-pointed or rounded at base, a little 

thickened. The upper surface is peen or dark 

green, slightly shiny, and hairless or nearly so. 

The specific name, meaning silvery, describes the 

lower leaf surface. 

Few to several flowers mith a peculiar odor are 

borne together on slender hairy stalks about inch 

long. There are 5 rounded brownish-pen sepals 

nearly 1/8 inch long, finely brown hairy ; a tubular 

bell-shaped, greenish-yellow, finely hairy corolla 

7i6 inch long, with 5 or 6 small rounded lobes; 5 

or 6 small stamens on the corolla tube opposite 

the lobes; and pistil mith hairy 6-8-celled ovary, 

short style, and minutely lobed stigma. The fruit 

f 

Chrysophyllum argenteum Jacq. 

contains 1 large shiny brown seed. Flowering and 

fruiting probably through the year. 

The wood with light brown sapwood is reported 

to be hard, heavy, strong, tough, and durable. 

Used chiefly for posts in Puerto Rico. Elsewhere 

utilized in construction and carpentry. 

Moist limestone and lower mountain forests in 

Puerto Rico. Also in St. Thomas and Tortola. 

PUBLIC FORESTS. - Guajataca, Luquillo, Rio 

Abajo. 

RANGE.--~u~~, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, St. 

Thomas, Tortola, and near1 throughout Lesser 

Antilles to Trinidad and To g ago. Also in Venezuela. 

OTHER 

COMMON NAJ~E~.--caimito 

verde (Puerto 

Rico) ; caimito blanco cimarrbn, caimitillo, caimito 

cocuyo, carabana Dominican Republic); 

macnnabo (Cuba) ; mi \ ky-iron (Montserrat) ; 

star-apple (Antigua, St. Vincent) ; balata chien 

(St. Lucia) ; wild kaimit (Trinidad) ; petit 

cni'mite, ti cai'mite (Haiti) ; bois glu, bois kaki, 

ca'imitier bois (Guadeloupe) ; bois bouis, petit 

bollis (Guadeloupe, Martinique) . 

BOTANICAL GYNONYM. - Chrysophyllum glabrum 

Jacq. 

Two more species of this genus are native, in 

nddition to the 3 illustrated here. Caimito de perro 

(ChrysophyUw pauciflomm Lam.) is known 

only from dry areas-of Puerto Rico, Vieques, St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. It differs from 

the species described above in the nearly hairless 

leaves shiny above, the flower mith &celled ovary, 

and the sharp-pointed, oblong fruit 3/g-3/q inch 

long.

Natural size. 

ChtyeophyZlunb argentcum Jam.


206. Caimito, star-apple Chr#sophyllum cainito L. 

A handsome tree with milky sap, cultivated for 

its very sweet, edible, round fruits 2-3 inches in 

cliameter, greenisll or purplish, and for sllade. It 

is further identified by : (1) its spreading to droop- 

ing crown ; and (2) pretty, redd~sh-brown or gold- 

en (copper-colored) silky hair lower surfaces of 

the elliptic or obloilg leaves. 'he snlrll purplisll- 

white or greenish flowers 1/4 inch long are clustered 

at bases of leaves. 

Small to meclilun-sized evergreen tree 20-40 feet 

high and 2 feet in trunk diameter, with dense 

crown. The bark is rough, inucll fissured, and 

brown. Young twigs, as \re11 as the petioles, which 

are I,$-% inch long, and the flower stalks, are red- 

dish-brown hairy. 

Tile alternate leaves have blades 3-5 inches long 

and illcllcs broad, mostly abruptly short- 

pointecl at apex, short-pointed at base, with edges 

not toothecl, ancl slightly thickened. The upper 

surface is dark green, sliglltly shiny, and hairless. 

Flower c1uste1.s have numerous small flowers on 

slender hairy stalks %-3/s inch long. C:llys is com- 

posed of usuttll 6 rounded sepals '/le incli-long, 

reddish-brown r iairy; the purplish-\vhite corollrt, 

nlso hairy, is nearly inch long, tubular and 5-7- 

lobed; stamens on the corolla tube opposite the 

lobes; and pistil consisting of hairy G-11-cellecl 

ovary with short style and as many small stigma 

lobes as cells. 

The edible berry has a thick, glossy, leathery 

rind wit11 gummy latex, white jellylike flesh, and 

several flattened bro\vn seeds. The arrangement 

of cells and seeds like a star in the cut half fruit 

is the source of the English name star-apple. 

Flowering in summer and fall, the fruit maturing 

from late fall to summer. Said not to fruit 

in the Virgin Islands. 

Tile wood is reddish brown, hard, heavy (specific 

gravity 0.7), strong, and durable. It is suitnhle 

for construction. 

The principal value of this tree in Puerto Rico 

is its fruit and its attractive appearance as an 

ornamental and shade tree. 

Planted and escaping from cultivation in Puerto 

Rico and possibly native. Also grown in St. 

Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

RASGE.-Native in Greater Antilles, the range 

spread by cultivation through tropical America. 

NOIT widely planted in southern Florida, through 

West Indies from Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago 

ancl from southern BIevico to Brnzil. 

OTHER COJI~COX ~~~~~s.--cainit (Virgin Is- 

Iancls) ; cnimito (Spanish) ; maduraverde, caimo, 

caiino inoraclo (Colombia) ; star-ap le, goldenleaf 

(English) ; kaimit, caimite (Trini 1 

ad and Toba- 

go) ; caymite, caymitier (French) ; sterappel (Cu- 

ragao) ; sterappel, apra (Surinam) ; cainito 

(Brazil).

206. Caimito, star-apple 


Ckq~sophylhn& cainito L.


207. Caimitillo de perro, satinleaf Chrysophgllum oliviforme L. 

A small tree, with milky sap, resembling starapple 

or caimito (ChrysophyUum cainito L.) and 

easily recognized by the similar elliptic leaves 

with lover surfaces pretty reddish brown (copper 

colored) fine1 satiny or silky hairy. .It differs in 

the smailer efiiptic dark purple berry about $/1 

inch (to 1% inches) long with usually only I 

seed. Other distinguishing characters are: (1) 

young twigs, buds, etioles, flower stalks, and 

calyx fine1 reddish- rown hairy. and (2) the 

I 

B 

small tubu ar bell-shaped 5-lobed dowers s/le inch 

long and broad, whitish green, a few together on 

short stalks at base of leaves. 

An evergreen tree 12-30 feet high with trunk to 

1 foot in diameter. The gray-brown bark is rough 

and much fissured into irregular plates and thin 

scales. Inner bark is light ink and contains 

milky latex. The slender red d! ish-brown or rusty 

young twigs later become light gray. 

The alternate leaves have petioles inch 

. Blades are 1%-3 inches long and %-I% 

lonf inc es wide, short-pointed at apex, rounded or 

short-pointed at base, slightly thickened, above 

shiny green with inconspicuous veins and hairless 

except when young. 

There are a few flowers clustered together at 

the base of a leaf on slender reddish-brown hairy 

stalks Y8-% inch long. The calyx consists of 5 

rounded, reddish-brown hairy and greenish sepals 

more than I/la inch long; the whitish-green tubu- 

lar corolla inch long with 5 rounded lobes and 

bearing 5 minute stamens at apex of tube opposite 

the lobes; and light green pistil 1/8 inch long with 

hairy 5-celled ovary, short style, and minutely 

5-lobed stigma. 

The elliptic fleshy fruit resembles an olive, as 

the specific name indicates. It retains the caI x 

at base and has a minute style point at apex. TK~ 

light purple to whitish flesh is sweetish and edible, 

but the skin is gummy or rubbery with milky sap. 

The large seed is shiny light brown. Collected In 

flower from July to October and with mature 

fruits in February. 

The light brown mood is hard, very heavy (specific 

gravity O,9), and stron . In Cuba it is used 

for construction, beams, an % doors and windo\vs. 

Planted in southern Florida as an ornamental 

for the beautiful foliage. Jelly can be prepared 

from the fruits. 

The moist limestone region of northern and 

western Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC FORWTS.-Cambalache, Ve a. 

RANGE.-Southern Florida inclufing Florida 

Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, 

Mona (possibly introduced), and Puerto Rico. 

OTHER COJZBION ~~x~~.-caimitillo, cnimito de 

perro (Dominican Republic) ; caimitillo, caimito, 

caimito cimarrhn, macanabo (Cuba) ; satinleaf 

(United States) ; satinleaf, saffron-tree (Bahamas) 

; ca'irnite marron (Haiti). 

A related species of caimitillo (Chryaophyllum 

bicolor Poir.; synonym 0. eggersii Pierre) is 

called also wild cainit and lechecillo. It has elliptic 

leaves with lower surfaces reddish brown and 

finely satiny or silky hairy when young but later 

nearly hairless. It differs from the above species 

in the-flower with kg-celled ovary and in the fruit 

with 1 to few seeds. Besides Puerto Rico, it is 

found in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.

207. Cnimitillo de perro, satinleaf 

Natural size.


208. Sanguinaria, wild mespel, willow bustic Dipholis salicifolia (L.) A. DC. 

This small to medium-sized tree with white 

latex is recognized by: (1) lance-shaped or narrowly 

elliptic leaves, mostly widest at middle and 

lon -pointed at both ends, the edges appearin 

T or wrinkled; (2) numerous smal T 

fine y ~~avy 

whitish-green fragrant flowers, rounded and 

about 3/16 inch long and broad, borne in crowded 

lateral clusters along the twigs mostly back of the 

leaves; and (3) many sound blaclr berries 1/4 inch 

or more in diameter along the twigs: 

A11 evergreen tree 30-50 feet high and to 1-2 

feet in diameter. The brownish-gray bark is 

smoothish and much fissured? becoming rough and 

flaky or scaly. Inner bark is pinkish and bitter. 

The slender twigs are brownish-green hairy when 

young, becoming gray. 

The leaves are crowded but alternate on brown 

hairy or hairless petioles 1/4-1/2 inch long. Leaf 

blades are 21/24 inches lon and 3/4-l% inches 

broad, slightly thickened, miry when young, 

green and slightly shiny on u per surface and 

paler beneath. As the scienti c name suggests, 

they resemble willow leaves. 

Flower clusters are less than 1/2 inch across, mith 

each flower on a brolvn hairy stalk less than I/s 

inch long. The calyx is composed of 5 nearly 

round, brown hai sepals less than % inch long; 

the whitish funnzshqed corolla has 5 rounded 

lobes each with 2 small lobes 01- appendages; 5 

stamens on the corolla tube opposite the lobes ancl 

alternating mith 5 toothed appendages (stami- 

nodes) ; and pistil with 5-celled ovary and slender 

style. 

The fruits mostly single back of the leaves are 

blunt-pointed, sticky inside, and contain usually 

1 brown seed less than ij36 inch in dinmefer. 

Flowering chiefly in early spring and spring 

(January to May) and maturing fruit in summer 


Tho sapwood is light brown, and the henrt\.r.oocl 

reddish brown or dark brown. The wood is I IIL~~, 

very heavy (specific gravity 0.9), stroilg, tough: 

P 

and moderately durable. It has medium-fine texture, 

fairly straight grain, and a bitter taste. In 

Puerto Rico used chiefly for posts. Uses elsewhere 

include heavy construction, bridges, poles, 

flooring, and crossties. 

In British Honduras the trees thougll rare reportedly 

are tapped for chicle. The flowers are 

attractive to bees. 

The moist and dry limestone regions of Puerto 

Rico. A tree of open areas and probably lightrequiring. 

Also in Mona, Vieques, St. Croix, St. 

Thomas, St.. John, and Tortola. 

PUBLIC ~o~~sm.-Camba1ache, Guajataca, and 

Guiinica. 

MUNICIPALITIES 

WIIERE ESPECIALLY COJIJION.- 

7,9. 

RANGE.-Southern Florida including Florida 

Keys and nearly through West Indies from Bahamas 

and Cuba to Ilominica, St. Vincent, and 

Barbados. Also in southern BIexico, Guatemala, 

and British Honduras. 

OTHER COMXON ~Aiu~~.-almendr~n 

(Puerto 

Rico) ; caya colorada(Dominican Republic) ; cuy6, 

nlmendrillo, almendro silvestre, carolina, jubilla 

(Cuba) ; xac-chum (Mexico) ; willow bustic, bus- 

tic, cassada (United States) ; bustic (commerce) ; 

bustic, mild mssada cassada-wood (Bshamas) ; 

white bulletwood (Jamaica) ; sweetwood (Bar- 

buda) ; bully-tree (Barbados) ; chiichiga, mi jico 

(British Honduras) ; acombt rou e, sapotillier 

marmn (Haiti) ; ncomat batbrd &uadeloupe). 

TWO other species of this genus are native only 

in mountain forests of Puerto Rico. Tabloncillo 

(DiphoZis bellonis Urban) is a rare large tree 

known only from the Central Cordillera. It has 

ovate leaves 34/2 

apex, and larger black 

Espejuelo (Diyholi8 

synonym D. sinteni,~iana 

and western mountains, has usually smaller obovnte 

leaves 1-2s inches long mith usually rounded 

apex, and oblong greenish berries s/8 inch long.

208. Sanguinaria, mild mespel, ~'illo~v bustic 

Natural size. 

Dipltolis ealicifolia (L.) A. DC. 

443


209. Ausubo, balata Manilkara bidentata (A. DC.) Chev. 

In the past, this large forest tree with milky 

latex probably was the most im rtant timber of 

Puerto Rico. It is characterize S" by: (1) a dense 

crown of horizontal branches with the foliage appearing 

in la ers; (2) dark pen elliptic leaves, 

often large, t g e apex varying from blunt-pointed 

to rounded or notched and base short-pointed, 

thickened and leathery with ed$s slightly turned 

under, with many faint paralle lateral veins; (3) 

small whitish fragrant bell-sha d flowers in lateral 

clusters at leaf base; and E) round or oval, 

edible fruits 1-1s inches long. 

An evergreen tree becoming 100 feet tall, with 

strai ht trunk to 4 feet in diameter. Large trunks 

have 5 road rounded buttresses spreadin at base. 

The thick brown bark is fissured and scag. Inner 

bark is pink and bitter. The stout gray twigs are 

hairlws or minutely hairy when young. 

The alternate leaves, frequent1 darkened b a 

covering of soot mold, have petio es inc es 

B 

3 K 

long. Leaf bla es are 31/2-10 inches long and 1%- 

4% inches broad, often broadest beyond middle. 

The midrib is slightly sunken on the dark 

upper surface and ralsed on the light pen F"" ower 

surf ace. 

There are 3-10 flowers together on stalks about 

inch Ion Calyx consists of 6 pointed green 

sepals 1/4 inc PI; long, minutely hairy or nearly hairless 

arranged in 2 series; the whitish corolla 

slightly longer, rith short tube and 6 lobes, each 

with 2 long narrow appendages resembling additional 

lobes ; 6 stamens on the corolla tube opposite 

the lobes and alternating with the same number 

of appendages (staminodes) ; and pistil with 6-10celled 

ovary and slender style. 

The smooth berry has a sweet sticky or gummy 

pulp and is edible. It contains usually a single 

shiny blackish seed. Flowering and fruiting perhaps 

irregularly through the year. 

Ausubo is one of the strongest and most attmctive 

commercial woods of Puerto Rico. The sapwood 

is whitish to pale brown, and the heartwood 

is light red when cut, turning to dark reddish 

brown when dry. The wood is very hard, heavy 

(specific gravity 0.82), very strong, fine-textured, 

with grain usually straight but sometimes coarsely 

interlocked. The rate of air-seasoning is rapid, 

and amount of degrade is minor. Machining 

characteristics are as follows: shaping, boring, 

mortising, and sanding are excellent; planing is 

good; t~~rning is poor; and resistance to screw 

splitting is fair. The wood finishes beautifully, 

resembling mahogany. It is generally resistant to 

attack by dry-wood termites, very resistant to decay, 

and very durable in contact with the ground. 

The chief use of this wood in Puerto Rico was 

for construction timbers. Elsewhere it is utilized 

for furniture, cabinetwork, crossties, utility poles, 

tool handles, hea construction, floorin and 

. It is suita 7 le also for shuttles nnflother 

brid~ texti e items; billiard cues, and violin bonys. 

Former1 named as distinct, this tree of Puerto 

Rico, St. Yohn, and Tortola is now considered the 

sgme as the more widely distributed and commerc~ally 

important tropical American timber species, 

balata or bulletwood. The milky latex of this 

species is the source of balata gum, which is similar 

to gutta-percha. Trees in northern South 

America and Panama are tapped for this purose. 

In some areas the trees are first destroyed 

$ felling and then bled. The latex is coagulated 

by heat and smoke over a fire or is dried in the 

sun. Souvenirs and novelties are made from tho 

gum. 

Moist coastal and limestone forests and lower 

mountain forests in Puerto Rico. Also St. John 

and Tortola. The trees grow slowly but are tolerant 

of shade. This species has been listad as 

worthy of planting for shade and timber. 

PWLIC m~~s~~.-Cambalnche, Carite, Guajataca, 

Luquillo, Rio Abajo. There is a very large 

tree along the Big Tree Trail in the La Mina 

Recreation Area in the Luquillo Forest. 

MUNICIPALITIES mmm EBPECIALLY COXMON.- 

13 42,68,74. 

&NOE.-H~S aniola, Puerto Rico and Vir 'n 

Islands, throug K out Lesser Antilles to Barba c? os, 

Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, and northern 

South America from Guimas and Venezuela to 

Peru and northern Brazil. 

OTHER COMMON ~AXE8.-ba~a~ (Spanish) ; 

pu~guo, acan&, pendare (Venezuela) ; pamashto, 

qulnilla, quinilla colorada (Peru) ; balata (English, 

commerce) ; bulletwood, bullet (English) ; 

gooseberry (Tobago) ; bully-tree (Barbados) ; 

sa otillier marron, sa otilller noir, bois noir 

(Cfuadeloupe) ; balate ( & uadeloupe, Martinique 

balata franc, balata rouge French Guiana 

bolletrie, hlata, parata ( S urinam) ; balata 

(Brazil). 

BOTANICAL ~~~o~m~.-Nan$kara nitida ($6 

& Moc.) Dubard, Manilkam balata auth., Manilkara 

riedbana (Pierre) Dubard, Yimwops bidentata 

A. DC., Niwops bahta auth., Nimusops 

sie6em' A. DC., Mimusops riedzeana Pierre, 

Aiiwops domingmia (Pierre) Huber. 

Zapote de costa (ManilZeara pleeana (Pierre) 

Cronq.; synonym N. duplicata (Sd h Moc.) 

Dubard), called also mameyuelo, is a related tree 

of moist coastal forests known only from Puerto 

Rico, Vieques, St. John, and Tortola. It has 

leaves silvery hairy beneath, larger flowers with 

corolla about 1h inch long, and larger fruits 1%- 

2% inches long, broader than long, and 3-8-seeded.

Natural slze, 

ManiZkara bidentata (A. DO.) Chev. 

445


210. Nfspero, sapodilla Manilkara zapota (L.) v. Royen* 

This exotic tree whose white latex is the main 

source of chewing gum is cultivated for it wellknown 

edible fruits. It is distinguished by: (1) 

elliptic shiny green leaves mostly short-pointed at 

both ends, with indistinct lateral veins close together 

and nearly at right angles to midrib, on 

slender petioles clustered at ends of stout twigs 

though actually alternate; (2) light green cupshaped 

or bell-shaped flowers about 3/8 inch long 

and broad, borne slngly at leaf bases; and (3) the 

brown rounded or egg-shaped fruits 11/24 inches 

in diameter, wit11 sweet brownish flesh and milky 

sap. 

Handsome evergreen tree, in cultivation to 50 

feet in height and 20 inches in diameter but becoming 

more than 100 feet tall in forests, with 

dense rounded crown of shiny green to dark peen 

foliage. The dark brown bark when cut yields the 

latex known as chicle. The stout twigs are gray 

and widely forking. 

Petioles are 9%-S/4 inch long, yellow green, and 

finely brown hrtiry. Blades are 3-4s inches long 

and 1%-1% inches wide, slightly thickened, shiny 

green above and dull light green beneath. 

Flowers are borne on brown hairy stalks about 

1/2 inch long and consist of 6 sepals about s/16 inch 

long, the outer 3 brownish hairy, ovate, and blunt- 

pointed and the inner 3 light brownish p en and 

elliptic; light green corolla about s/s inch long, 

forming a tube in lower half and 6 elliptic lobes 

above; 6 stamens less than 1/8 inch long at apex of 

corolla tube, opposite the corolla lobes and alter- 

nating with toothed lobes (staminodes) nearly 

S/1= inch long; and pistil nearly ?.$ inch lon with 

light brown hairy 10-12-celled ovary anif stout 

peen style. 

The rough-skinned berry contains 1-5 or some- 

times more flattened elliptic shiny black or brown 

seeds inch long with a white scar on inner 

edge. Flowering and fruiting nearly through the 

year. 

The wood is dark red, very hnrd and heavy, 

strong, tough, and durable. Where available, the 

wood is employed in general and 11e.avy construc- 

tion, cabinetwork, furniture, tool handles, cross- 

ties, carts, rulers, and shuttles. 

Chewing gum is made from commercial chicle, 

which is the condensed latex principally of this 

species and obtained chiefly by tapping trunks of 

wild trees in the Yucatan Peninsula of southern 

Mexico, British Honduras, and Guatemala. Accordingly, 

this is one of the most important tree 

species of British Honduras. V-shaped gashes are 

cut in the bark in the rainy season, and the milky 

liquid is collected in small vessels. Then the sap 

is condensed by heating, and the resulting gum 

kneaded with a stick and made into small cakes 

for export. 

Nispero, or sapodilla, is extensively planted 

over tropical regions of the world for the edible 

fruits, which are among the most popular in the 

tropics, and for ornament and shade. Besides 

being eaten raw, the fruits can be made into preserves 

and syrup. 

In Puerto Rico the trees are grown occasionally 

for fruit and shade around houses at lower elevations, 

mostly in the drier areas. Also in Mona, St. 


RANGE.-Native in southern Mexico and Central 

America south to Costa Rica. Now widely cultivated 

and occasionally naturalized from southern 

Florida and Bermuda through West Indies from 

Bahamas and Cuba. to Barbados, Trinidad and 

Toba~o, and Dutch West Indies, from Mexico to 

Brazil, and in the Old World tropics. 

OTHER COJfMON NAMES.-~~S~~~ (Virgin ISlands) 

; nispero (Spanish) ; sa ote (Cuba) ; 

zapote, chicozapote, zapote chico, c 1 icle, zapotillo 

(Mexico) ; muyozapot (El Salvador) ; sapodilla 

(United States, English) ; naseberry (British 

West Indies) ; dilly (Bahamas) ; chicle, sapodilla, 

zapote blanco, zapote colorado, zapote momdo 

(B r i t i s h Honduras) ; sapotille, sapotillier 

(French) ; mispu, mispel,. sapodille (Dutch West 

Indies) ; sapotille, sapatya, mispelboom (Surinam) 

; sapoti, sapotilha (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL BYNONY~~~.-AC~?-~~ zapota L., Sapota 

uchrcls Mill., Man2kara mpoti2Za (Jacq.) 

Gillv. 

hoth her species, wild-dilly (Nan2ka3.a jainziqui 

(Wright) Dubard ; synonyms Vanitkara ewgi- nnta (L.) Britton & Wilson, Achras emrginata 

(L.) Little), has been recorded from southwestern 

Puerto Rico, extending to Florida. It has 

smaller oblong leaves 11/44 inches long, slightly 

notched at apex; flowers about 6/8 inch lofig and 

broad, with light yellow corolla; and round inedible 

fruits 1-2 inches in diameter.

Natural slza. 

Manllkara zapota (L.) v. Rogen 

447


211. Caimitillo Micropholis chrysophylloides Pierre 

A tree of mountain forests distinguished by the 

beautiful bronze or reddish-brown; finely silk 

hairy lower surfaces of the elliptic leaves, whic I 

are 1%-3% inches lon and 1-2 inches broad, and 

abruptly short-pointef at the apex. Other characteristlcs 

nre : (1) small, bronze and greenish cupshaped 

flowers about 1/4 inch long and broad, borne 

laterally; (2) elliptic berries inches Ion 

and 5/e inch or less in thickness; and (3) a sma R 

amount of milk sap. 

~edium-sizedl e v e n tree 30-60 feet in 

height and 2 feet in trunk diameter, with erect 

trunk and narrow dense crown of dark reen 

foliage. The gray bark is smoothish. Inner % ark 

is pinkish, tasteless or bitter. Twigs are bronze 

halry when young, becoming dark gray and hairless. 

The alternate leaves have bronze hairy petioles 

I/4-s/8 inch lon . Rlndes are short-pointed at base, 

thick and leat f lery, the upper surface dark green, 

hairless or nearly so, and slightly shiny, and the 

lower surface sometimes in age also nearly hairless. 

The inconspicuous flowers are attached on 

bronze hairy stalks about 1/4 inch long, usually 1-3 

(sometimes to 8) at the base of a leaf or on twig 

back of leaves. There are 5 bronze hairy sepals 

v8 inch long ; the yellowish-green corolla with tube 

and 5 short, rounded spreading lobes 1/ inch 

across; 5 small stamens on the corolla tu I, e opposite 

the lobes and 1 short appendage (stnmlnode) 

between each 2 lobes; and pistil with llttiry 

5-celled ovary and short style. One laree elllptlc 

brown seed is contained in the fleshy fruit, Flowering 

and fruiting nearly through the year. 

The heartwood is uniform light yellowish brown 

and not readily separated from the lighter brown 

sapwood. The wood is hard, heavy (specific gravity 

0.68), strong, tough, fine-textured, straightgrained 

and with indistinct growth rings. It is 

susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. The 

rate of air-seasoning is rapid, and the amount of 

degrade is minor. Machining characteristics are 

as follows: planing, turning, and mortising are 

good ; shaping and boring are excellent ; and sandlng 

and resistance to screw splitting are fair. 

Sawing and machining are moderately diflicult 

because silica in the wood dulls the saw teeth and 

cutting edges. Holvever, the mood takes a high 

polish. 

The \\-ood is used sometimes for construction. It 

is suitable for furniture, cabinetwork, interior 

trim, flooring, paddles, farm implements, tool handles, 

veneer, plywood, and general carpentry. 

In the forests of the upper mountains of Puerto 

Rico, widely distributed from east to west. 

PUBLIC FORESTS.-Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 


~\IUNICIP~\LITIES 

WHERE ESPECIALLY COMBION.- 

1,17,19,27,35,45,52,54,62. 

RAXOE.--Puerto Rico and Lesser Antilles from 

St. Icitts to Grenada. 

OTHER COJ~JZON NAMES.-~~S~~, 

leche prieta 

(Puerto Rico) ; pan mango (Nevis) ; wild mango 

(Biontserrat) ; caimite (Dominica) ; feuille dode 

(St. Lucia) ; wild star-apple (St. Vincent) ; bois 

(Grenada) ; caymitier bois (Guadeloupe, Martinique) 

. 

BOTANICAL SYNONYMS.--N~CTO~AOZ& curvatu 

(Pierre) Urban, N. portorkernis Pierre var. curvata 

Pierre, Pouteda chq8ophyUoide8 (Pierre) 

Stehlt?.

Natural size. 

MCoroph~lia chq/80phuU0id68 Pierre 

449


212. Caimitillo verde Micropholis garciniaefolia Pierre 

This tree found only in the eastern mountains 

of Puerto Rico is chamcterized by : (1) small elliptic 

leaves 1%-21/2 inches long and inches 

broad, stiff and leathery, rounded or slightly 

notclled at apex, hairless or nearly. so when mature, 

green on both surfaces, \~lth numerous 

straight lateral veins very close together and parallel; 

(2) small greenish and rusty-bro\vn cupshaped 

flowers about 3/le inch long and broad 

borne laterally on short stalks; (3) elliptic green 

fruits 1-11, inches long, pointed at both ends and 

5-angled; and (4) a small amount of milky sap. 

S~nall to medium-sized evergreen tree 15-50 feet 

high, with stmight trunk to 11/2 feet or more in diameter, 

buttressed at base \rhen large. The bark 

is smoothish or slightly fissured, brown or dark 

gray. Inner bark is reddish brown, slightly bitter, 

with small amount of white latex. The twi 

rusty-bro\rn hairy \\.hen young, becoming I? row are 

or gray and finely fissured. 

The alternate leaves have brown hairy petioles 

inch long. Leaf blades are rounded at base, 

with edges turned under, finely haii*y ~vhen young 

but becoming hairless or nearly so, dark reen and 

slightly shin on upper surface, and ye1 ow green 

on lower sur ! 

f 

ace. 

One to 5 flowers are borne at the base of a leaf 

on rusty-brown hairy stalks about 1/4 inch long. 

Sepals 5, y8 inch long, rusty-brown hairy; the 

green corolla with tube and 5 short, rounded, 

spreading lobes nearly % inch across, hairless or 

with a fen? hairs on outside; 5 small stamens on 

the corolla tube opposite the lobes and 1 short 

appendage (stnminode) between each 2 lobes ; and 

pistil wit11 hairy 5-celled ovary and short style. 

The berry has thin flesh and 5 or fewer pointed 

dark brown seeds about s/4 inch long. Flowering 

from June to November, the fruits maturing in 

summer ancl fall. 

The wood is very similar to that of the preceding 

species of caimitillo. The heartwood is uniform 

light yello\vish brown, and the sapwood lighter 

brown and not clearly differentiated. The mood 

is hard, moderately heavy (specific gravity 0.64), 

stmng, tough, fine-textured, straight-grained, and 

with indistinct growth rings. It is considered 

very susceptible to attack by dry-mood termites. 

The rate of air-seasoning is mpid, and the amount 

of degrade is moderate. Machining characteristics 

m as follo~vs : planing, turning, boring,.mortising, 

sandin and resistance to screw splitting 

are good; an if' shaping is excellent. The wood is 

moderately difficult to saw and machine because 

silica dulls teeth and cutting edges. However, it 

takes a high polish. 

The wood is used for posts and in construction. 

It is suitable also for veneer, plywood, furniture, 

cabinetmaking, turning, interior trim, flooring, 

farm implements, tool handles, and general carpentry 

* 

In the upper mountain forests of eastern Puerto 

Rico, chiefly in the Luquillo Mountains. 

PUBLIC FOREST^.-^^^^^, Luquill0. 

RANGE.-Known only from mountains of eastern 

Puerta Rico. 

OTHER OOXMON ~~~~~8.-caimitillo cimardn, 

caimitillo (Puerto Rico) . 

BOTANICAL s~~o~~~r.-Poutet.ia garciniaefolia 

(Pierre) Baehni.

212. Caimitillo verde dlicrophoNa garciniaefolio Pierre 

Natural slze.


213. J6cana Pouteria multiflora (A. DC.) Eyma 

This large tree with small amount of milky sap, 

found in moist forests, is distinguished by : (1) usually 

large, narrowly elliptic dark green leaves 

5-16 inches long and 2-5 inches broad, widest beyond 

middle, slightly thickened and leathery, with 

sunken lateral veins on upper surface; (2) the 

white to pinkish bell-shaped flowers 3h inch long 

borne in lateral clusters along the twigs at leaf 

bases or back of leaves; and (3) orange-colored 

round or elliptic fruits 11h-2 inches long, which 

are edible but mealy and almost tasteless. 

An evergreen trm 60-80 feet in height and to 

ll/z feet in trunk diameter, with wide crown of 

spreading and slightly drooping branches. Bark 

is much fissured, slightly rough, and brown. The 

inner bark is light pink, almost tasteless, and with 

a small quantity of white latex. The stout twigs 

are brown and minutely hairy when young, becoming 

pay. 

The leaves are alternate but mostly close together 

on petioles %-?/4 inch long. Blades are 

usually short-pointed at apex, long- or shortpointed 

at base, not toothed on edges, hairless or 

nearly so, and beneath green or yellow green with 

raised veins. 

A few flowers are borne together on green, minutely 

hairy stalks 3/g inch long. There are 4 

broad, rounded, overlapping, peen sepals less than 

1/4 inch long, the outer 2 finely hairy; the white to 

pink corolla tubular, 3/g inch lon and inch 

heavy (specific gravity 0.74), strong, fine-textured, 

with generally strai ht grain, and without evident 

growth rings. ft is susceptible to attack by 

dry-wood termites. Air-seasoning is slow, difficult, 

and with considerable de-mde. Machining 

characteristics are as follows: planing and resistance 

to screw splitting are fair; shapmg, turning, 

mortising, and sanding are good; and boring 1s 

excellent. 

The wood is used principally for construction 

and also for furniture. Uses elsewhere include 

heavy construction, house framing, bridgework, 

and posts. 

Suitable for planting for shade and ornament. 

Fruits are eaten locally. 

Moist coastal and limestone forests and lower 

mountain forests in Puerto Rico. Seedlings sometimes 

are numerous in the shade of a parent tree. 

Also St. Croix and St. Thomas. 

PUBLIC FOREBTS.--Carite, Guilarte, Luquillo, 

hlaricno, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Toro Negro. 

MUNICIPAI~ITY 

WHERE ESPECIALLY COB~BLON.- 

43. 

RANGE.-Jamaica, His aniola (Dominican Republic), 

Puerto Rlco, 8t. Croix, St. Thomas, 

through Lesser Antilles from Saba and St. Kitts 

to Grenada, and Trinidad. Planted in Bermuda. 

OTHF~ COMMON NAMEB.-bully-tree, savannah 

bully-tree (Jamaica) ; choky-apple (St. Kitts, 

Nevis) ; pain d'6piw (Dominica, Trinidad) ; 

broad with generally 6 rounded lo f 8s; there is 1 enny-piece (Dominica, St. Vincent, Grenada, 

stamen on the corolla opposite each lobe and 1 ap- himdad) ; , pmme pain, pain d9Bpife (Guadependage 

(staminode) between each 2 lobes; and lonpe, Martinique) . 

pistil with brown hairy 4- or 5-celled ovary and BOTANICAL BYNONYM.-Lucuma multifEo~a A. 

stout style 1/4 inch long. 

DC. 

The large soft berries have a slight mellow odor On limestone hills of northern Puerto Rico there 

and an orange pulp, almost the color of an e;g is another species (Pouteria clictyoneura (Griseb.) 

yolk. There is usually a single, very lar 

Rndllr.; synonym Paralabath yortoricensis Britshiny 

brown seed 1-1lh inches long. %~If%;z ton & Wilson), found also in Hispaniola and Cuba. 

from spring to fall, the fruit maturing nearly It has lance-shaped leaves 21/241/2 inches long and 


1-11,$ inches wide, hairy beneath with long whit- 

The sa mood is li ht brown, and the heartwood ish hairs; smaller flowers 3i6 inch long; and round 

is reddig brown. %he wood is very hard, very or elliptic fruits 8/-1 inch long, 1-seeded.

213. JAcana 

Natural slze. 

Pouterla muttijlora (A. DO.) Epa

214. Tortugo amarillo, false-mastic 

This t.ree mith milky latex is characterized by: 

(1) elliptic to oblong, slightly shiny, yellow-green 

lenves appearing wavy or slightly wrinkled at 

edges, wlth long slender petioles and yellow midribs; 

(2) numerous small ellow flowers about % 

inch long and nearly % inc r 1 across, widely spreading 

and 5- or Blobed, with sonie~vhat unpleasant 

odor, crowded in clusters nlong twigs, mostly back 

of lenves ; and (3) elliptic yellow sour fruits about 

9/4-1 incli long. 

Small to medium-sized evergreen tree mith 

st.rniglit trunk nncl dense irregulnr crown, generally 

15-50 feet high and 4-12 inches in diameter, 

sometimes larger. Elsewhere reported to reach I 

maximum height of 80 feet and trunk diameter of 

more than 3 feet. Bark of smnll trunks is smootllish, 

with many small lissures and l~orizontal crncks, 

gra or light brown, on large trunks becoming 

tl~ic 1 , deeply furrowed, and splitting into plates. 

Inner bark is whitish and bitter, with a smnll quantity 

of white latex. The twigs are brown and hairless, 

light green and mili~~tely hniiy when young. 

The yellow- en petioles of the alternate leaves 

are %-I% inc f= les long and often slightly winged 

toward apex. Blades nro 2lh-41/2 inclies long nncl 

7/R-2% inches broad, blunt-pointed, rounded, or 

sliglitly notched at apex and short-pointed at base, 

very slightly thickened, hairless except \\-lien 

young, yellow green or n little paler beneath, and 

curved upward on both sides of the midrib. 

The bright or pale yellow flowers are borne usuJ1 

several together? sometimes single, on slender 

stnl& inch or less in length. Calyx consists of 

5 or 6 rounded yello~v-green overlapping sepals 

more than x6 inch long; the yellow corolla \vitli 

short tube and 5 or 6 rounded ~videly spreading 

lobes 1/8 inch long; ns many yellow stamens erect 

at apex of corolla tube opposito the lobes and nlternnting 

mith pointed deeply toothed appendages 

(stnminodes) ; and greenish-yellow pistil 1/8 inch 

long with 5-celled ovary and short tapering style. 

The scientific name refers to the peculiar, strong, 

cheeselike odor of the flowers. 

SAPODILLA FAMIL 'Y (SAPOTACEAE) 

Sideroxylon foetidissimum Jacq. 

IJst~nlly 1 large brown seed is contained in the 

berry, ~vhicli is shaped like an olive. Though edible 

and consumed by animals, the fruits have an 

~~n~lensnnt,.pmmy taste. Flowering and fruiting 

tlntl fri~~til~g at different times dur~ng the year 

but not continuously. 

The thick sapwood is yello~vish and the heartwood 

is yellowish or ornnge. The wood is hnrd, 

lienvy (specific gravity 0.8), strong, and durable. 

The good timber is used for construction. Elsewllore 

it has been employed for boats, heavy 

pltlnlting, fnrniture, and fenceposts. 

Re orted to be a fair hone plnnt and to be 

suitn 6 le as an ornamental for t Z e clustered yellow 

flolvers. 

Coastal and moist limestone forests of Puerto 

Rico, probably common in the original forests but 

now scarce because of demand for the n-ood. Also 

in Mona, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and 

Tortoln. 

Pr;~tr.rc ~RESTS.-Cnmbnlche, Gunjntaca, Rio 

Abajo. 

RANGE.-Central and southern Florida including 

Floridn, Keys and through West Indies from 

I3nliamns and Cuba to Grenada and Barbados. A 

vt~riety occurs nlso in Yucatiin Peninsula of southenstelm 

Mexico and in British Hondurns. 

OTHER ~ M O S ~~~~s.-tortugo colorado 

(Puol-to Rico) ; mastwood, bully-mastic (Virgin 

Isln~icls) ; cnyn nmnrilla (Dominican Republic) ; 

jocuma, jocuma amarilla, jocuma blanca, jocuma 

lecl~era, cnguani (Cuba) ; false-mastic, mastic, 

mnstic jungleplum (United States) ; mastic (Ba- 

Ilnmns) ; mastic-bully (Bnhamns, Jamaica) ; mast- 

\vood (Antigun, St. Vincent) ; caimite ncoma (Dominicn) 

; acoma (Grenadines) ; acomat (Haiti) ; 

Itcotnn, acomn bltard, ncomn franc (Guadeloupe) . 

BOTANICAL s~~o~YErs.-Sidero~?/lon ??~28t&h0dcndron 

Jacq., 8. portoriceme Urban, Mmticicodendron 

foetidiseimum (Jacq.) Cronq. The generic 

name is sometimes spelled SideroxyZum.

214 Tortugo amnrillo, ~ mastlc 

687431 0--84----80 

Natural size. 

Hideroxylon foetldfseimum Jacq. 

455

SWEETLEAF FAMILY (SYMPLOCACEAE) 

215. Aceituna blanca, candlewood Symplocos martinicensfs Jacq. 

A small to medium-sized tree characterized by: Widely distributed in moist to moderately dry 

(1) shiny elliptic leaves 2%-5 inches long and forests at lo\\. to high elevations in Puerto Rico. 

1-2% inches broad, abruptly short-pointed at apex Also in St. Thomas and Tortola. 

and base, and with scattered inconspicuous wavy PUBLIC mm~8.-Guajatacn, Luquillo, Maricao. 

teeth along edges; (2) small 5-lobed white flowers RANGE.-Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, 

nearly 1/2 inch long and broad, a few to several to- Tortoln, nearly throu hout Lesser Antilles from 

gether in clusters at bases of leaves; and (3) the Sabn to Grenada, and 5 rinidad and Tobago. Also 

oblong bluish-black fleshy fruits 5/8-3/4 inch long Central America in British Honduras, Guatemala, 

and y' inch in diameter, with 5-lobed calyx re- and Honduras, and in British Guiana and French 

maining at apex. 

Guiann. 

An evergreen tree 20-30 feet high and to 6 inches OTIIER COBL>LON ~~~rm.-aceituna cimarrona 

or more ili trunk diameter, wit11 spreading crown. (Puerto Rico) ; Mnrtinique sweetleaf (English) ; 

Bark is smoothisl~ or \\.it11 small fissures, light gray white-box (St. ICitts) ; whitewood Nev~s) ; whiteto 

brown. Inner bark is pinkish and bitter. beech (Montserrnt) ; caca rat, 6 ois bleu (St. 

Twigs green and sometimes finely hairy when Lucia) ; graines bleues (Dominica, Martinique, 

young, becoming light gray or brown. 

Gundeloupe) ; bois blanc (Grenada) ; blueberry 

The lenves are alternate on petioles %-I,-$ inch (Saba, St. Eustntius) . 

long. Blades are thin or slightly thickened, often Three related species of small trees are found 

turned upward at midrib, Ilairless, shiny green on only in Puerto Rlco. One called palo de cabra 

upper surface and slightly paler beneath. 

(Symploco~ polyantha Krug & Urban), rare and 

nt flowers are attached a few to ser- collected but once in Luquillo Mountains, has 

eral toget frnfn ler in short-stalked clusters (cymes). young twigs short hairy, elliptic leaves 21/2-45/2 

The preen tubular base (hypanthium) is about 4/8 ~nchcs long, hairless, and larger flower clusters 

inch long, with 5 rounded calyx lobes minutely about. 2 inches long bearing many flowers mith 

on edges; the white corolla S/8-% inch long corolla 1/2 inch long. 

lmiri: and road wlth n wide tube and 5 oblong spreading The other 2 species have twigs and petioles mith 

lobes; there are many stamens with flattened white long, stiff hairs. Nispero cimarrtin (Symplocos 

filaments united to corolla tube and projecting 4/8 lnnntn Kru k Urban), confined to mountaln forinch 

beyond; and pistil with inferior 3-&celled ests of the 8 entral Cordillem, has the young twi 

ovary, slender style % inch long, and enlarged and petioles densely covered with long stiff reddis T 

hairs ; el 1 i tic leaves 21,-$-2% inches long, hniry be- 

Sti~$ts nre mostly single, peen when immature, neath, wit \ petioles ys-% inch long; and flowers 

and contain us~~ally 1 seed e/s inch long. In flower with corolla about inch long. 

from late spring to fnll and in fruit from summer The closely related species called aceitunillo 

to fnll. 

m locos mhrntha Krug & Urban), known 

The mood with ellowish-brown sa wood is on y T rom molintain forests of eastern and central 

moderately henvy &ecific grnvit 0.8f. Little Puerto Rico, differs in tlle young twigs and petioles 

used in Puerto Rico except for fuet probably be- less hairy, the lon er etioles %-3/8 lnch long, and 

cause of scarcity and generally small dimensions. the slightly smnl F or A 

owers wit11 corolla 1/8 inch 

Elsewhere a recorded use is for vehicles. 

long.

215. Aceituna blanca, candlewood 

Natural size.

f' 

. ' 

.. 

216. Hueso blanco 

OLIVE FAMILY (OLEACEAE) 

Linociera domingensis (Lam.) Knobl. 

This smnll to medium-sized tree is characterized larse eenougli for other purposes. It tnkes a h e 

by: (1) an erect trunk which is usually deeply pollsh and has been made into ornamental objects 

fluted near the base and covered with whitish bark; and curiosities. 

(2) opposite, narrowly elliptic, slightly leathery, In the constul, limestone, and lower mountain 

ale reen leaves 3-8 inches long and 1-2 inches forests of Puerto Rico. Also St. Crois. 

!rod very longpointed at bhe bnse, slender- l?unr,~c ~on~s~a.-Cnrnbalache, Carite, Guilarte, 

stalked; (3) flowers with 4 very narrow white Luquillo, Rlnricno, Suslin, Toro Negro. 

petals about % inch Ion&; and (4) slightly egg- RANGE.-Cubn, Jnmaica, Hispaniola, and Puershaped 

nnd bonelike white fruits about 3/p inch to Rico. Also in British Honduras and Guatemala. 

long, with thin bitter flesh nnd 1 large stone, sev- OTHER conlnroN NAJIEB.-pa10 de hueso, huesillo 

eral in cllisters and sometimes produced in large (Puerto Rica) ; bro'o (St. Croix) ; lirio, thrana 

qunntities. 

(Dominicnn Repub 1 ic) ; cnney, huesillo, hueso, 

An evergreen tree 15-60 feet high and to 1 foot bnyito, gunney (Cubn) ; white rosewood, ironwood 

in trunk dinmeter, with spreading crown. The (Jnmnicn) ; pine-ridge ironwood (British Honbark 

is smoothish and thin. Inner bark is light duras) ; cnyepon (Ha~ti). 

brown, bitter, and slightly gritty. Twigs light BOT,\NICAI, SYNONYJ~.-Mayepea domingemis 

grny, with prominent, nearly round, raised leaf (Lam.) Krug & Urban. 

scrim. 

This genus has 3 more species of small trees in 

The leaves have petioles 1,-1 inch long. Blades Puerto Rico. Avispillo (Xinohra caribaea 

are not toothed on edges but sometimes slightly (Jncq.) I

210. Hueso blanco 

Natural size. 

Ldnociera domingensis (Lam.) Knobl. 

459

DOGBANE FAMILY (APOCYNACEAE) 

Key to the 3 spedcs illustrated (Nos. 217-no) 

A. Leaves alternate. 

B. Leaves narrowly lance-shoped, long-pointed, with edge# turned under, the lower surface densely white hairy; 

flowers white-217. Pltrn~eria aIba. 

BB. Leaves elliptic, short-polnted, edges not turned under, lower surface often hairy; flowers red, yellow, or 

white--218. Plumeria ru bra.. 

atL Leaves whorled, 4 of unequal size at a node-219. Rauvolpa nftfda. 

217. Aleli, milktree Plumeria alba L 

This attractive wild tree, with milky juice or 

white latex which runs abundantly from cut parts, 

is easily distinguished by : (1) its peculiar shape 

\vitllout a crown of foliage but wit11 a few stout 

soft and brittle brnnches endin in clusters of 

crowded sprending leaves; (2) t e long narrow 

lance-shaped leaves 6-15 inches long and s/8-2 

inches broad, shiny green on up er surface and 

densely and minutely white hairy 6 eneath; (3) the 

clusters of showy and very frngrnnt, tubular and 

spreading, waxy, white floweis 11/24 inches long 

and broad, with 5 overlapping elliptic corolla 

lobes; nnd (4) tlie paired brown pods 4 6 inches 

long and about ?/z inch in diameter. 

A small evergreen tree to 10-15 feet or more in 

llei ht and 4 inches in trunk diameter or shrubby, 

wit f 1 bare branches. The smoothish bark is brown- 

is11 gray. Inner bnrk is ornnge, slightly bitter, 

\\-hen cut yielding mucll Itltex, \\-hidl reportedly is 

poisonous. The twig I,$-7 inch in diameter are 

greenish, becoming rownis 1 grny, and have numerous 

nearly round leaf scars. 

The leaves are alternate on petioles S/4-11,$ 

inches long. Blades are long-pointed at both ends 

thick and leathery \!-it11 edges turned under, and 

with man lateral veins spreading out almost at 

surface. i right ang es from the midrib, hairless on upper 

A flower stalk ,343 inches long, arising amon 

the leaves, benrs several to many short-stalk 3 

flowers in a compact, flattened cluster (cyme). 

The small calyx is nbout I/s inch long, 5-lobed; 

corolla with narrow tube and 5 widely spreading 

lobes, \mxy and white except for n yellow dot or 

"eye" at the base of each lobe; 5 smnll stamens 

inserted near base of corolln tube; and pistil of 2 

separate ovaries nbout I/g incll long, partly inferior, 

with single short style. 

Each fruit consists of 2 brown gods (follicles), 

long-pointed and widely spreading, containing 

a 

many flat winged seeds. Flowering and fruiting 

throughout the year in Puerto Rico. 

The wood with light brown snpwood is hard, 

heav (s ecific gravlty 0.8), and touph. A fuelrodin 

suerto Rim but used also in carpentry 

where the tree grows to sufficient size. 

This species apparently is not in cultivation 

though it should be a hardy ornamental for dry 

areas. The white-flowered aleli commonly grown 

for ornament belongs instead to the related rntrotluced 

species, frangipani (Plwneria d r a L.*) 

which ty icall has red blossoms. white-flowered 

forms o i' the ?' atter are distin ished by broader 

elliptic leaves enish beneat and by more numerous 

larger b Y f' 

ossoms. 

Coastal thickets and limestone forests at low 

elevations and nscendin in the western mountains 

of Puerto Rico. ~lso%luertcq Icmos, Culebra, 

Vieques, St. Croix, St, Thomas, St. John, Tortola, 

Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. 

Puar,rc FORESTS.-Cambalache, Gurinica, Maricno, 

Susfia. 

RANGE.-PUOIZO Rim and Virgin Islands and 

throughout Lesser Antilles from Anguilla to 

Grenada. 

OTHER COXMON N~ES.-aleli blanco, alelaila 

(Puerto Rico) ; milky-bush (Virgin Islands) ; 

jasmine (Barbuda) ; hngipanier sauvage (Guadeloupe) 

; white hngepane, pigeonwood (Dutch 

1';est Indies). 

The generic name honoring the French botanist 

Charles Plumier is spelled also Plumiem and 

Plumieria. 

Aleli cimarr6n (Plumeria obtwa L.; synonyms 

P. kmqii Urban, P. portoricemi8 Urban) is a related 

species of dry arens of western Puerto Riw 

and Mona and west to Cuba and Bahamas. This 

smnll tree has oblong leaves 21/24 inches long, 

rounded or notched at apex.

217. Aleli, milktree 


Plumeria dba L. 

461

WS, Frangipani 


Plumeria rubra L* 

Frangipani is a smnll ornamental tree with are strung into chains and garlands and variously 

milky juice, introduced and commonly planted in employed in decorntions, often in churches. In 

gardens nnd parks for its beautiful clusters of the Pacific Islands the trees fre uently are planted 

very frngmnt, large, tubular, red, yellow, or in cemeteries and sometimes ca 9 led temple-flowers 

wh~te flowers. Characters for recognition include: and grnveynrd-flowers. 

(1) the few stout fleshy branches with whitish The caustic milky juice ~vhich flows freely from 

latex, bearing alternnte but cronded leaves at the cut trunks reportedly is poisonous but has been 

apex ; (2) the large elliptic lenves 5-16 inches lon employed in some regions in folk medicines. 

and 11h-5 inches wide, shiny green above nn fi Frnngipnni one of the common names, is mid to 

often hairy beneath; (3) loose clusters of large be derived &om the French word L'fran i anier," 

wnxy flowers 2-3 inches across the 5 spreading, coagulated milk, \vhich is descriptive o !E t e thick 

o\-erlnpping corolln lobes; nnd (4) pa~red pods whito rubbery latex. 

5-10 inches long and 1/2-11/2 inches in diameter. Common as an ornnmental in Puerto Rico, St. 

This handsome srnnll tree becomes 15-25 feet 

and Tortola and 

tall, with very open crown of few tllick s reading 

Plants 

brnnches. Bttrk is gray and smoothisl~. lP 11 Puerto 

cuttings. It is re- 

Rico the trees nre evergreen, but in arens wit11 n 

to dry out for 2 weeks 

long dry senson they shed their leaves and often 

grow in dry, rocky, 

flower when leafless. 

and windy nreas. In some arens lanting is not 

Petioles nre stout, mostly 1-2s inches long. recommended becnuse large caterpiflnrs caused re- 

Blades nre usually sl~ort-pointed at both ends, not peated defoliation. 

tootlled on edges, thick and lenthery, with many RANGE.-Native of southern Mexico and Central 

pnrnllel Intern1 veins nlmost at right angles to America south to Costa Ricn. Now widely intromidrib. 

duced throu h tropical and subtro ical regions of 

The long-stnlked flat-topped flower cluster the world. k lanted in southern F f orida and Cali- 

(cyme) is terminal or n pearing lateral, often 6-9 fornia, through the West Indies, and South 

inches across. ninny b r ossoms are borne on stout America south to Peru and Brazil. First destalks 

inch long, buds in the center opening scribed botanically from specimens collected in 

first. The flower has n &lobed calyx I/s inch long; Jamaica. 

corolln with narrow tube S/8-1 inch long and less OTIIER COJIMON NABLES.-~~~~~, nleli rojo (Puerto 

than 1/8 inch in diameter and with 5 elliptic Rico) ; frnngi jnponie, red pnucipan (Virgin 

roundecl lobes 1-2 inches long, 5 small stamens less Islands) ; ntaiba rosnda (Dominican Republic) ; 

tl~an '/s incli long inserted near base of co~olla 

tube; and pistil of 2 separate ovaries partly infelirio, 

lirio tricolor, frnngipin (Cuba) ; cacaloxorior 

and a single short style. 

chit], cncnlosGchil, silcl~il, nor de cuervo (Mexico) ; 

The pnired pods (~ollicles) from a flower flor de In cruz, pnlo de cruz, flor de mayo, matuspread 

widely apart, split open on 1 side, and con- hun, nicte de monte (Guntemala) ; flor blanca, 

tain many winged seeds. Flowering and fruit- flor de In cruz, flor de ensnrta, flor de mayo (El 

in nenrly through the year in Puerto Rico. Salvador) ; flor de toro, sncuanjoche (Nicaragua) ; 

%lo,rers commonly Ilave d, rose-colored, or cacalojoche, flor blanca, juche, torito (Costa 

purplish-tinged corollas, but some cultivated Ricn) ; cnrncuchn, cararucha hlanca, palo de la 

forms have yellow flowers or white with n yellow cnlz (1'11nttmn) ; nmnncnyo (Colombia) ; amapola 

dot or eye at base of encll lobe. A less frequent (Venezuela) ; cnrnchuche (Peru) ; frnngipani, red 

tricolorecl form llns n \vhito or pale yello\v corolln frangipani, ~vhito frnngipani, nosegay frangipani, 

with outer margin of lobes rose nncl usunlly wit11 Mexican frnngipani, nosegay (English) ; red 

n yellow spot at base of lobes. The white-flo\vered jasmine (Bermudn, Jnmnica) ; jessamine, Spnnish 

garden form has been incorrectly referred to the jasmine (Bahamas) ; frangipanier (French) ; 

native white- flo~vered species (Plumeria aZbn L.) , frangipnnier rose (IIniti) ; frnngipnnier rouge, 

~vhich has narrow lance-shapecl lenres densely frangipnnier blnnc (Gundeloupe) ; red fmngepane 

\vhite hairy beneath 11nd also fewer, smaller (Dutch West Indies). 

blossoms. 

~JOT,\NICAL s~~o~~~~s.--PZumeria acutifolia 

The firm blossoms, which do not wither easily, Poir., P. tricolor Ruiz & Pav.

ns. P'rangipani 



219. Palo amargo, bitter-ash Rauvoliia nitida Jacq. 

This small tree or shrub with white latex is distinguished 

by its shiny yellow-pn lance-shaped 

or narrowly elliptic leaves 2%-6 inches Ion and 

a/4-ls/4 inches wide, long-pointed at apex an I f base, 

slightly turned under at edges, attached to the 

oups of 4 of unequal size (whorled). 

%fs,"afwhitish flowers are about lh inch across 

and the reddish to blackish rounded fruits about 

% inch long and inch brond. 

Commonly a shrub or small tree to 20-40 feet 

high and to 1% feet in trunk diameter, evergreen 

with open rounded crown. The bark is smoothish, 

slightly fissured and warty, very light brown, and 

thin. Inner bark is light green and bitter. The 

twigs are bright green with rnised brown dots 

(lenticels), enlarged at the nodes, and becoming 

brownish. 

The slightly thickened leathery leaves have 

petioles I/a-s/4 inch long and blades green or yel- 

low green on upper surface and lighter yellow 


The small flower clusters (cymes) are terminal 

or lateral, branched, 1-11h inches long and brond, 

shorter than the leaves, with several to many flow- 

ers. The white and greenish flowers are tubular, 

about % inch long, with 5 spreading lobes 4/4 inch 

across; the green 5-lobed calyx is less than 4/8 inch 

long; corolla has a narrow greenish tube j/4 inch 

long and 5 rounded white lobes; 5 minute stamens 

are inserted near mouth of corolla tube; and the 

pistil is composed of n 2-lobed ovary with slender 

style and enlarged stigma. 

The fleshy fruits, with milky juice, turn from 

green to reddish and blackish and contain 1 or 2 

brownish seeds s/16 inch long. Flowering and 

fruiting nearly throughout tho year. 


clenr yellow. The hard, lightweight wood is emoyed 

for posts in Puerto Rico. 

PI or furniture and musical instruments E1sewhe%ase has een 

suggested. 

In the coastal and limestone forests and thickets 

of Puerto Rico, growing in the o en and robably 

requiring light. Also in Mona, 6eques, &. Croir, 

St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola 

P~LIC FORE~TS.-Cnmbalache, au6nica. 

RANGE.-Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, 

Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, 

and Martinique. Also recorded long ago 

from St. Barth6lemy. 

OTHER CONMON NAMES.- a10 de muiieco, ca- 

i 

chimbo (Puerto Rico) ; bitter ush, milkbush (Virfin 

,Islands) ; palo de leche (Dominican Repubic) 

, huevo de gallo (Cuba) ; smooth rauvolfia 

(Bahamas) ; bois lnit femelle (Haiti). 

The name of a low shrub (Ra.uvuljia tetraphylla 

L. has been misapplied to this s ecies. 

?l!he genus Rauvol* (also spe f' led Rawwol*) 

has attracted much attention in recent years becnuse 

the root of a shrubby species in India has 

yielded a drug for the treatment of high blood 

pressure and certain mental illnesses. Related species 

are also under investigation. 

Another native species is a shrub 3-10 feet high 

known as bitterbush (Rauvol$a viridis Roem. & 

Schult. ; synonym R. Zumarclcii A. DC.). It has 

slightly unequal leaves in groups of 4 (whorled), 

ovate to elliptic, most1 11h-4 inches long, thin, 

dull green instead of diny, and smaller blackish 

fruits about 4/4 inch broad. It grows in coastal 

thickets of eastern Puerto Rico Mona, Icacos, 

Culebrn, Vieques, St. Croix, St. ~Aomas, St. John, 

nnd Virgin Gorda and other islands to Hispaniola 

and northern South America.

2lO. Palo amargo, bitterah 

Natural slze.

BORAGE FAMILY (BORAGINACEAE) 


A. Flowers tubular, with narrow, tubular calyx and 6-lobed ~vlilte corolla, turning brown; frult a nutlet; leavea 

elliptic, long or short-pointed, thin, hairy-221. Cordfa alliodora. 

AA. Flowers spreading, mostly small and not showy, with white corolla ; frult a rounded drupe. 

B. Leaves mostly rounded at apex, elliptic ; fruit orange red. 

C. Leaves 11h-6 inches long, slightly tl\ickened; flowers about % inch broad; frult almost inch in 

diameter, slightly flattened-220. Bourreria succrilcnla. 

CC. Leaves mostly large, 3-10 inches long, tilick and leathery, with prominent network of many raised veins; 

flowers nbout )6 inch broad, fruit about % inch in diameter, broader than long, oblique-222. Cordia 

borinquenafe. 

BB. Leaves short- or long-pointed at apex. 

D. Leaves elliptic, 2.6 inches long, very 8hiny; dowers bell-shaped, inch acm; frult bright red, 

4(J-% inch in diameter-223. Cordia nitida. 

DD. Leaves large, ovnte to elliptic, mostly 9-12 inches long, rough hairy on upper surface and soft halry 

beneath; flowers xe inch broad; fruit whitish, % inch in dlameter-324. Cordlo sulcoto. 

220. Palo de vaca, pigeon-berry 

A small tree or shrub widely distributed in open 

areas at low elevations, characterized by : (1) elliptic 

leaves 11/24 inches long and 1-3 inches 

broad, rounded or blunt-pointed or sometimes 

notched at apes and short-pointed at base, slightly 

thickened, green above and paler beneath, the 

under surface often finely hairy in dry regions; 

(2) many fragrant tubular white flowers inch 

across the.5 rounded spreading corolln lobes, in a 

much brnnched flat-topped terminal erect flower 

cluster; and (3) fleshy orange-red rounded fruit 

almost y2 inch in diameter and slightly flattened. 

Evergreen tree 12-25 feet high and 4 inches or 

more in trunk diameter, or sometimes n shrub, with 

spreading or drooping branches. The bark is 

smooth and gray, sometimes becoming finely fissured 

and slightly rou h and corky. Inner bark 

is light brown and s!ghtly bitter. Twigs are 

green when young, turning to gay or light brown. 

Hairless in wet areas but in ry regions, such as 

southwestern Puerto Rico, a hairy form has the 

twigs, lower leaf surfaces, bmnches of flower clusters, 

and calyx finely soft hairy, and 11 per leaf 

surkes and outside of corolla with a ew hairs. 

haves are alternate on petioles 1/3-% inch long. 

The flower clusters (cymes) are 2-8 inches 

across and high, and the short-stalked flowers 

nbout 3/g inch hiqh. The light green bell-shaped 

tubular calyx j/4 inch long has 5 slightly unequnl 

pointed lobes; the white corolla has a tube more 

than I/q inch long with 5 rounded spreading lobes 

s/,,, inch long, turning brown before shedding; 5 

stnmens 1/4 Inch long with white filaments and 

brown anthers, inserted on corolla tube and pro- 

truding; and pistil sh inch long, with light green 

2-celled ovary, slender white style &-forked near 

apex, and flattened greenish stiwns. 

The fruit (drupe) is broader thnn long, green to 

yellow when immature hut turning orange red. 

calyx and often the dead style remain attached. 

P 

Bourreria succulents Jacq. 

Inside the flesh are 4 brown ridged bony nutlets. 

In flower nnd fruit nearly through the year. 

The light brown, hard wood is used for fuel. Reported 

to be a good honey plant. 

Constnl and limestone forests of Puerto Rico, 

especially in thickets and cutover forests. Also in 

Mona, Icacos, Culebra, Vieques, St. Cmix, St. 

Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, .and 

Anegada. 

PUBLIC FORESTS. - Cnmbalache, Gubnica, Luquillo, 

Susila. 

~IUNICIP,\LITIES 


12,36,66. 

RANGE.-Throughout West Indies (except Ba- 

Ilainns) from Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, 

Hispnnioln, and Turks Island to Grenada, Trinidad 

and Tobago, and Dutch West Indies. Also 

Pnnnma to Venezuela. 

OTHER 

COJLJION ~aar~s.-doncella, cerecillo, ro- 

ble de piayo (Puerto Rico) ; pigeon-wood, spoont,ree 

(Virgin Islands) ; pa10 bob0 (Dominican Republic) 

; ateje de costa, roble gunyo, fruta de 

cntey, curnboca (Cuba) ; chinkswood (Antigua) ; 

cut I~ISS (Grenadines) ; caf6 marron, rnapou- gris 

(Haiti) ; acomat cote-lette, bois wpm batard 

(Guudeloupe) ; pana, watakeeli, white-chank 

(1)ntch \Test Indles). 

BOTANICA~, SYNONYDL. - Bour/*eTia aucculenta 

vnr. cnn.eacens 0. E. Schulz. The generic name is 

spelled also BeureG. 

A related species (Bwrrsria virpzta (Sw.) G. 

Don) is a shrub or small tree of dry forests in 

southwestern Puerto Rico and west to Cuba. It 

has small elliptic leaves mostly 9/4-2 inches long, 

rough nbove, and small red fruits inch in 

diameter. Also recorded from the same area and 

from Vieques is a doubtfully distinct species (23. 

domingemis (DC.) Griseb.) , which differs from 

the last in the leaves smooth above.

220. Palo de vaca, pigeon-berry Boiirrcrla aucculet8ta Jacq. 

Natural size. 

467


221. Cap6 prieto, capa Cordia alliodora (Ruiz & Pav.) Oken 

When in flower cap6 prieto is recognizable at a 

distance by the handsome masses of numerous 

white flowers over the tree. Other characters for 

identification are: (I) erect trunk with whorled 

brnnches ap earing ,in \horizontal la ers; (2) el- 

P r' 

liptic or ob ong, slightly shiny ye lowish-peen 

thin leaves, the lower surface paler and more. or 

less finely hairy with minute star-shaped hairs, 

with odor of garlic when crushed; (3) the frag- 

rant white flowers tubular, 5-lobed, and about l/h_ 

inch lon .and broad, crowded in lar e, showy, 

branohe d terminal clusters, afterwar& turning 

attnck by dr wood termites and is very durable 

in the grouncf- 

This valuable wood is used extensively throu h 

the American tropics for furniture, cabinet no%, 

millwork, and genernl construction. Various uses 

in different countries include brid e timbers, flooring, 

ship decking, boat parts, truc parts, oars, and 

crossties. 

The seeds and leaves have been used in home 

medicines. Also a od honey lant. 

Capti prieto has G n planJfor its \rood and 

for coffee shade and ornament. Propa ted readily 

brown; and (4 the fruits are nutlets l/q inch lon from seed, it otvs very rapi 

with calyx an d brown corolla remaining attache 5' 

8' y and re- 

. quires nearly Ell sunlight. Entomologirds 

A medium-sized evergreen tree to 65 feet in report that insects sometimes attack md discolor 

hei ht and 135 feet in trunk diameter. The gray the laves, causing leaf fall. 

or % rown bark is fissured, becoming rough and Forests in the moist limestone and lower mounthick. 

Inner bark ig light brown, fibrous, and tain regions of Puerto Rico. Particularly common 

tnsteless but has a slight odor of garlic, to which on soils derived from tuffaceous parent material. 

the scientific name refers. The twigs are green Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, 

and with star-shaped hairs when young, becoming and Tortola. 

brown. 

h o ~~~~~s.-Cambalache, Cnrite, Gua- 

The alternate lenves have hairy petioles 'atclca, Guilarte, Luquillo, Rlo Abajo, Susda, Toro 

inch long. Leaf blades are 2+6 inches long and kecro, vega. 

1-1% inches broad, short-or long-pointed at apex MUNICIPALITIES WITERE ESPECIALLY ~MXON.-~, 

and shortointed at base, slightly thickened, the 8. 

upper su d ace with scattered star-shaped hairs or R,tNa~.-Xuba, Hispaniola Puerto Rico and 

nearly hairless. 

Virgin Islands, throughout Lser Antilles, and 

Flower clusters ( anicles) are lar and 4-12 Trinidnd and Tobago. Reported as introduced in 

inches broad, severn P sprecrdnlg and a T' most stalk- Jamaica. Also widely distributed in continental 

less at ends of widely forking hairy branches. tropical America from central Mexico to Ecuador, 

The cylindrical a -pen calyx almost 4/4 inch Peru, Bolivia, and Bmzil. Planted in southern 

long is 10-ribbe$ Kensely covered with minute Florida. 

star-shaped hairs, 5-toothed ; the expanded tubular 

corolla IS % inch high and 1h inch across the 5 

widely spreading, oblong! rounded lobes, whita but 

fading to brown; 5 prominent erect white stamens 

inserted near mouth of corolla tube; and ~vhitish 

pistil with ovary and slender style 2-forked near 

apex and each fork with 2 broad sti 

nutlet is oblong, 1-seeded, with attac !?- ed corolla The 

serving as wings in dispenal by wind. Flowering 

and fruitin irregularly through the ywr. 

The thic i! light brown sapwood is not clearly 

marked. The heartwood when freshly cut is light 

greenish brown to olive brown with darker streaks 

and in seasoning becomes pale golden brown to 

brown with the darker streaks more prominent. 

Growth rings are shown by narrow dark lines of 

pores. The attractive wood is moderately soft, 

moderately heavy (specific gravit 0.57), moderntely 

strong, tough, of medium or K ne texture, and 

generally straight-pined. The rate of airsensoning 

and amount of degrade are moderate. BOT,\NICAL s~~ox~ar.-Cerduna aEEwdora Ruiz 

Machining characteristics are ns follows : planing, L PRV. 

sha ing? mortising, and sanding are good; turning This genus, formerly divided by a few authors 

an. d? qollqg are exoellent; and resistance to screw into as many as 6, is represented by 7 native tree 

splitting a poor. The wood is ensily worked and species, 4 of these illust~lted here, 1 introduced , 

takes a fine polish. It is generally resistant to ornamental tree, and 7 shrub species. 

f

m. cap6 grieto, capa 

Natural size. 

Cordia alliodora (Ruie & Pav.) Oken 

469

A shrub or small tree known ns cerezas blancas Britton) is a popular planted ornamental along 

and whits manjnck (Cordia dantata Poir. ; C. fllba rodsides of Puerto Rico and the Virh Islmds 

nuth., C07~~trctcordin nlbn nuth.) is f~und ill dry but not native. It hns ovate thick leaves 31/24 

fomsts of southwestern Puerto Rim, St. Croix, rind inches long, ofkn taothed on edps, long-poinbd 

St. Thomns through the West Indies, and from 

Mexico to ?f 

at til~ex, rough on upper surhce, and egg-shaped 

1 enezuela. It has elliptic eaves 1%pointed 

,.bib fruit 1-IM inClles long. 

4% inches long, coarsely toothed, rough Ilalry 

above 

San nnrtolom6 (Cordin r.ickeeck& Millsp.; 

; terminal b'an"?d ~'ust'rs of "Umerol!s 

slio~vy wliite flolvers y8 ~ncli ncross; and elliptic synonym fiebeaten dckeeckeri ill^^, ) i it.^^) 

\vhitish fruits about 1/2 inch long. 

is a closely related small tree of coastal thickets 

The 2 species bclolv Ilave very sllowy flowers 1- llt~t,ive only in Puerto Rico, Culebm, Vieques, St. 

11/2 inches long and broadl with tubular omnge Tllonlns, and Tortola. It has elliptic leaves uscorolla. 

Anaconda or Geigor-tree (Cordin se- iinlly very rough on upper surface, orange-red 

bestem L.* ; synonym Sebeeten eebestenu (L.) corolla, and yellow or orange fruit. 

BORAGE FAMILY 

A small tree of wet forests mostly in mountains, 

known only from Puerto Rico, distinguished by: 

(1) erect axis with horizontal brnnching frequently 

in 3's; (2) thick and leathery, most1 

large, elliptic or obovate, shi~~y green leaves wlt K 

rominent network of many raised veins and vein- 

I)ets on both sides; (3 small white flowers more 

than j/4 inch long and b roacl, with tubular 5-lobed 

corolla, several to many in branched flat-topped 

terminal clusters, mnle and female on different 

trees (dioecious) ; and (4) fleshy orange-red 

rounded fruit 3/s inch in diameter, broader than 

long, and oblique and swollen on side. 

Usually about 20 feet tall and 5 inches in trunk 

diameter but recorded as becoming larger, sometimes 

flowering when only 5 feet h~gh, evergreen. 

The grn bark is smooth with raised dots (lentieels), 

mxitish n~ithin, and tasteless. The stout 

twigs are en and minutely hairy when young, 

becoming f? rown. 

Leaves are alternate, with stout p n petioles 

Y2-1 inch long, grooved above, and minutely hairy. 

Blades are 3-10 inches long and ll/q+h2 inches 

broad, rounded or short-pointed at both ends, 

een above and slightly lighter beneath, turning 

%ll yellow before falling. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are 14% inches 

broad and high, with slender curved near1 horizontnl 

branches bearing almost stalkless omers. 

d 

(BORAGINACEAE) 

Cordia borinquemb Urban 

The bell-shaped tubular calyx about S/16 inch long 

on 1 side. Within the orange-red flesh is a brown 

nutlet. Flowering and fruiting nearly through 


The \\?hitis11 or light yellow mood is hard and 

heavy (specific gravity 0.7). It is used for posts 

and tool handles. 

An understory tree in the mountain forests of 

I'uerto Rico. 

Purtr.rc FORESTS.-Cnrite, Luquillo, Maricno, Toro 

Negro. 

RAX~E.-Puerto Rico only. 

OTIIER COiUMON NABLES.--4Xlp6, cap6 ~~UladIl 

(Puerto Rico) .

Natural size. 

ffwdfa Borinquenuia Urban 

471


223. Cap6 colorado, red manjack Cordla nitida Vahl 

A handsome tree, genernlly small, distinguished 

by : (1) whorled branches appearing in horizontal 

layers; (2) ver shin elli tlc leaves, short ointed 

at both en dq slig ' itly f y enthery and sti$ bent 

up a little on both sides of midrib; (3) usually 

many bell-shnped white flowers inch across 

the 5 spreading corolla lobes, in an erect wide 

branching terminnl~flon~er cluster; and (4) clusters 

of fleshy, bright red, rounded fruits 1/2-5/8 inch in 

diameter but slight1 flattened. 

An evergreen or d eciduous tree 15-25 feet high 

and to 1 foot in trunk diameter, reported to reach 

65 feet, with dense rounded crown, or sometimes 

shrubby. The bark is grny, smootliisl~ but becoming 

furrowed and thick. Inner bark is light 

brown, turning darker upon exposure, fibrous and 

almost tasteless. The twigs are light brown, 

reen and finely hairy when young, often 

forking into 3 unequal twigs. 

The alternate leaves have slender light green 

etioles inch long. Blades are 2-6 inches 

Pang and 1-52 inches broad, hairless, above very 

shiny een with midrib and some lateral veins 

often s&htly sunken, and beneath light green and 

only slightly shiny. 

E lower clusters (panicles) are 2-4 inches broad 

and high, the slender brnnches widely forking by 

2's. The short-stalked flowers have a tubular 

11-hitish calyx 4/4 incli long, 3-li-toothed ; the white 

corolla inch long hns a short tube and 5 spreading 

lobes which become turned under before falling; 

5 stamens hairy at base are inserted on corolla 

tube between the lobes and extend above; and the 

white pistil 5J16 inch long has 4-celled ovary on an 

orange bnse and 2 styles united below and each: 

forked above. 

The fruit (drupe) retains the irregularly split 

greenish calyx at bnse. A light brown angled 

nut.let is imbedded in the slightly astringent redclisll 

flesh. Flowering and frulting irreplnrly 

througli the year, frequently with quantities of 

fruits. 

The wood is used chiefly for posts. When cultivated, 

the trees make ttttrnctive ornamentals. A 

honey plnnt. 

In tl~iclcets and forests of the coastal and limestone 

regions of Puerto Rico. Also in Mona, Vieties, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, nnd Tortola 

briginally named and described from St. Cmix in 

1703. 

Pun~rc ~RESTS.-Cambalnche, Gunjatacn, Gu6nica, 

Rio Abajo, Susba. 

MUNICIPALITP WHERE E~PECIALLY COMMON.- 

13. 

Rltrras.-Cuba, Jamaica, His nniola, and Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands. A f' so Centrnl America 

from British Honduras to Costa Rim. Planted 

in soutliern Florida. 

~ ~ I I E R 

COafMON NAMES.--CePeZO, CBTeZO del pds, 

palo de goma, muiieco Puerto Rico) ; West-In- 

dian-cherry, mild capa Vir$in Islands) ; cerezo, 

~tteje de costa, nteje cimarron, atejillo (Cuba); 

sombrn de ternero (Honduras) ; buriogre amarillo, 

muiieco, buriogre de montafia (Costa Rica) ; bois 

pnupit, bois poup4e (Haiti). 

Pnlo de muiieca or manjack (Cordia conococ- 

ca L. ; synonym C. glabra auth., 'not L.), called 

nlso cerezo, is a related tree of Puerto Rico, Mona, 

Culebrn, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tor- 

tola, nlso through Indies and from Mexico to 

South America. It differs in the leaves dull rnther 

than shiny and the stalkless white flowers only 

incli ncross.

223. Cap6 colorado, red manjack 

Natural dze. 

Oordb nftida Vahl 

473


224. Moral, white manjack Cordia sulcata DC. 

This medium-sized tree of moist areas is easily 

reco nized by its open spreading crown of a few 

wide 9 y forking and often nearly horizontal 

branches with large, rou h hairy leaves, which nre 

ovate to elliptic to near f y round, most1 9-12 ~n- 

ches long and 5-8 inches wide and usua ly spaced 

apart on laternl branches forking at broad angles. 

Other distinguishing characteristics are the muchbranched 

flattened clusters of numerous small 

whitish flowers 1/4 inch long with tubular 5-lobed 

corolla and the round whitish mucilaginous fruits 

3/8 inch in diameter. 

Deciduous tree 20-65 feet high and 1% feet or 

more in trunk diameter. The bark is smooth and 

grn , becoming furrowed on large t~unks. Inner 

bar{ is li ht brown, slightly astringent. The 

twigs are kely hairy, green but becoming gra 

slightly furrowed when young, as the scienti c 

name su gests. 

T 

l' 

The ayternnte leaves have short stout petioles 

I/q-$4 inch long. Blades are short-pointed to 

rounded at apex and rounded or sligl~tly heart- 

shaped at base, the edges inconspicuously saw- 

toothed or without teeth, slightly thickened, green 

to dark green, rough and finely hairy on upper sur- 

face, and paler and finely soft hairy on lower sur- 

f ace. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are P 6 inches high 

and 410 inches broad, terminal but becoming lat- 

eral at the base of 2 forking twigs. There are 

numerous fragrant small flowers 1/4 inch long and 

inch across, stalkless. Calyx is tubular, 3-5- 

toothed, green, and minutely hairy; the white co- 

rolla has a tube and 5 shorter lobes turned back; 

5 stamens are inserted on the corolla tube; and the 

pistil has an ornnge 4-celled ovary with style twice 

forked. 

The fruits (drupes) containing sticky flesh and 

a large irregular-shaped stone are produced in 

abundance. Flowering from late spring to fall 

and with mature fruits near1 through the year. 

The wood is light brown, so t, moderately h ht- 

i 

1 

weight (specific gravity 0.6), and emily wor ed 

but not durable. In use classed as roundwood. 

Elsewhere the wood has sometimes served for 

coo erage. 

file trees have been planted along highways for 

shade and ornament. 

Common and widespread in moist forests at all 

elevations in Puerto Rico. It is characteristic of 

openings and second-growth forests and probably 

is light-requiring. Also in Vieques, St. Thomas, 

St. John, and Tortola. Reported long ago from 

St. Croix. 

P~LIC FORESTS.-Cambalache, Carite, Guajatacn, 

Luquillo, Maricao, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Toro 

Nep. 

MUNICIPALITIES WHERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.-1, 

29, 42, 50, 51, 59, 64, 68. 

RANGE.--Greater Antilles, Virgin Islands, and 

Lesser Antilles from Saba to St. Vincent and 

Barbados. 

OTHER COMXON NAMES.-~O~~~ de pa2 (Puert0 

Rico) ; mucilage manjack (Virgin Islands 

cimarrhn, ateje macho, palo tabnco (Cuba 

jack (Jamaical St. Kitts Nevis, St. Vincent) ; 

bois bd (Dominica) ; wild clammy-cherry (Barbados) 

; laylay, mapou, hairy laylay, bois laylay 

(Trinidad) ; pan5sol (Haiti) ; grand mapou, 

mahot grandes feuilles, mapou (Guadeloupe) ; 

manjack (Dutch West Indies).

Z4. Moral, white manjack 


VERBENA FAMILY (VERBENACEAE) 

Key to the 6 species Illustrated (Nos. S230) 

A. Leaves simple. 

B. Leaves leas than 6 inches long. 

C. Leaves lnneshnped or narrowly elliptic, 24% Inches long, lower surface gray green, hairy; trees of 

mangrove s\vnmp forest-226. Avfcerlnia rittida. 

CC. Leaves elllptlc; upland trees. 

D. Petloles short, less thnn 1 inch long; leaf blndes hnlrless or nearly so, the upper surface ellghtly 

shiny. 

El. Leaves with few side veins; flowera with definite stalks-226. Cfthareay/lttm caudatum. 

EL Leaves with prominent network of small reins when dry, turning red before falling, petiole 

pink or ornnge; flowers almost stnlkle-227. Cltharexglum Iruticoeum. 

DD. Petioles long, 1-2s inches long; leaf blades rough, lower surface pale yellow green, with minute 

scales and hairs nnd prominent reins--228. Petitia domfngenefe. 

BB. Leaves very lnrge, elllptlc, 12-16 inches or more In length, thlckened, leathery, and harah, the upper surface 

rough, the lower surfnce soft hairy-229. Tector~a grandla.* 

AA. Leaves mostly compound with 3 elliptic leaflets, often only 1 or sometimes 2, the end one largest-230. Vitea 

d ioaricata 

225. Mangle prieto, black-mangrove Avicennia nitida Jacq. 

This is 1 of the 4 kinds of mnn~ove trees which and the pistil s/16 inch long has a 1-celled ovary, 

form swamp forests at sen level In salt water and slender style, and &-lobed stigma. 

brackish water along silty seashores. Mangle The fleshy seed capsule contains 1 large dark 

prieto is distinguished by: (1) opposite lance- green seed which is an embgo plant without 

shaped or narrowly elliptlc leathery leaves 24% seedcoat. Often the seed rmlnates on the tree, 

inches lon and )$-I% inches bmnd, the upper s litt

2%. Mangle prieta, black-mangrove 

Natural Qe. 

Avtosnnfa nftidu Jacq. 

477

m, Vieques, St. Croix, St.. Tliomns, St. John, and 

Tortola. - 

Pmo mm.-Aguirre, Hoquer6n, Ceiba, 

Gutinica, and San Juan. 

Rawo~--Ver~ widely distributed along tro i d 

silt seashores of Bermuda and tl~rougliout best 

In d ies (except Dominica) from Baliamns and 

Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago and Bonaire and 

Cura~ao. Coasts of Floridn from northern part to 

Florida Keys, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas in 

southeastern United Stntes and both cotlsts of Alexico 

south along Central America to Ecuador, 

northrvestern Peru, rind Gnlnpngos Islands and to 

nr~~zil. -41so west coast of Afncn. 

OTHER ~MBIOX ~~~~~.-mnngle negro, mangle 

bobo, siete cueros, snlado (Puerto Rico) ; mangle 

prieto, mangle nep, mangle blanco (Span- 

~sh) ; black-mangrove, manglecito (commerce) ; 


puyeque (Mexico) j palo de sal (Central 

America) ; istatdn, arb01 de sal El Salvador) ; 

culumate, mangle snlado (Costa kica) 

stt~ndo, white-mangrove (Panama) ; ipanero ; man& ( 

lombia) ; mangle salado, mangle rosndo, mangle 

prieto (Venezuela) ; mangle iguanero (Ecuador) ; 

black - mnnpve, honey - ninnpve, saltbush 

(United States) ; black-mangrove (English) ; 

blnck\vood-bush (Bahamas); limewood (Trinidad) 

; courida, cruda (British Guiana) ; manglier 

noir, paldtuvier (Haiti) ; paldtuvier blanc, mangle 

blanc, cliBne Guadeloupe, paldtuvier (Guadeloupe) 

; pnldtuvier blanc, manglier noir (French . 

Guiann) ; mangel blancu, saltpond-tree (Dutch 

West Indies) ; parwa (Surinam) ; siriubn, seriba 

(Brnzil). 

BOTANICAL s~~o~.-A~lict?nnia gemninun.9 L. 

226. Pdndula de sierra Citharexylum caudatum L. 

Shrub or tree of upper mountain forests characterized 

by : (1) op osite elliptic leaves blunt or 

rounded at apex anf short-pointed at base, with 

few laternl veins; (2) narrow clusters of small 

white flowers K6 inch across the 5 slightly unequal 

spreading corolla lobes and borne on short stalks 

'/la inch long; and (3) shiny pear-shaped or elliptic 

fruits nearly l/z inch long, turning from green to 

orange brown or black, w~th cuplike cal x at base. 

Th~s species differs from its \r.idely Jstributed 

close relative pindula (Citharemylunt fruticosurn 

L.) in the leaves coarsely veined without a prominent 

network of smnll veins when dry, in the flomers 

definitely stalked instend of almost stalkless, 

and in its distribution in mountain forests at 

higher elevations. 

A small slender evergreen tree 15-30 feet high 

and to 8 inches in trunk diametert or a shrub. The 

bark is smoothish and brown, inner bark light 

bra\\-n arid bitter. Tlie long narrow twi s are light 

pa brown, with prominent raised lea k' scars. 

dtioles are y-3 /4 inch long. Blades are 2-5 

inches long and 3/4-2% inches wide, slightly thickened 

and with edges sometimes.tu~med under a 

little, slightly shiny green above and dull and paler 

beneath. On the lower surface are many minute 

inconspicuous dots visible with a lens. 

Flower clusters (racemes) are 1 %-3 inches long, 

terminal and lateral, bearing many slightly fragrant 

flowers. The bell-shaped calyx is about 1/8 

inch long and broad, minutely 5-toothed; the white 

finely hairy corolla with tube nenrly inch long 

iind 5 lobes y8 inch long; 4 stamens nearly 1/8 inch 

long inserted on corolla tube; and greenish pistil 

Q/le inch long with 2-celled ovary, slender style, 

and slightly %lobed stigma. 

The fleshy fruits (drupes) slightly 2-lobed have 

cuplike cnlyx 1/8 inch long remninin at base. 

They contain 2 elliptic shiny brown nut f ets s/8 inch 

lon each 1-seeded. Flowering and fruiting near- 

f' 

ly t irough the year. 

The light brown, hard wood is used for posts 

and fuel. Also a honey plant. 

Upper mountain forests and dwarf forwts of 

mollntnin peaks in Puerto Rico. 

PUULIC REST^.--Carite, Luquillo. 

MUNICIPALITY 

WHERE EBPECIALLY COMXON.-~~. 

RANQE.-Bahamns, Greater Antilles, Leeward 

Islands, and Dominica. Also YucatGn, Mexico, 

and Central America from British Honduras and 

Hondurns to Panama and in Colombin. Planted 


OTHER COMMON NAMIB.--C~~~ cirnar~-6n, penda 

(Dominican Republic) ; pendn, collarete (Cuba) ; 

roble amnrillo (Nicarayn) ; damn (Costa Rica) ; 

mnnglillo (Panama) ; fiddlewood (English) ; 

racemose fiddlemood (Bahamas) ; birdseed, 

pipon-feed (British Honduras), cafe marron 

(Haiti) . 

The generic name (Citharexyhm) is Greek for 

fiddlewood. The English name fiddlewood and 

similar ones in French and Spanish for related 

species refer to the use for violins, guitars, and 

other musical instruments. The Spanish name 

pJndula, meaning pendent, describes the long 

slender drooping or hanging clusters of flowers 

and fruits.

216. Pendula de sierra Cithareaylum caudatum L. 

Natural size. 

479


227. P6ndula, pasture fiddlewood, Florida fiddlewood Citharexylum f ruticosum L. 

This small tree is easily recognized by: (1) opposite, 

mostly elliptic, yellolv-pen leaves with 

conspicuous pink or ornnge petioles; (2) narrow 

clusters of small fmgrtllit white flowers nearly sr/s 

inch across the 5 slightly unequal spreading corolla 

lobes, borne almost stalkless on narrow drooping 

axes; (3) nearly round, shiny, reddish-brown 

or black fruits 3Js Inch or less in diameter; and 

(4) rough, light brown bark, becoming much fissured 

and shredding in long narrow strips. 

Evergreen shrub or small slender tree 1040 feet 

in height and to 1 foot in trunk diameter. The inner 

bark is whitish and tasteless. Young twigs are 

4-angled and with faint rings at nodes, slender, 

light brown or green, becoming gray and finely fissured. 

Petioles are 3/2-1 inch long. Leaf blades are 3-7 

inches long and 1-21h inches broad, short- or longpointed 

at both ends or sometimes rounded or 

notched at apex, the edges rarely tootlied on young 

shoots, thick and leathery, sometimes hairy on 

veins beneath, shiny yellow green on u per surface 

and dull beneath, turning red be ? ore falling. 

They vary greatly in shape from lance-shaped to 

elliptic or obovate nnd when dr show a rnised 

network of small veins on both si es. The midrib 

often is pinkish toward base. 

i 

Flolver clusters (racemes) are 2-12 inches long, 

lateral and terminal, unbrnnched, bearin many 

white flowers about % inch long. The pa e green 

calyx is narrowly tubular, s/lo inch long, mostly 

5-toothed, hairless or hair ; the white tubular 5- 

lobed corolla nearly % inc f 1 lon p hair at throat ; 

4 stamens inserted on corolla tu e; an pistil with 

4-celled green ovary, slender style, and slightly 2- 

lobed stigma. 

The drooping clusters of the fleshy fruits 

(drupes), sometimes abundant, nre reported to bo 

sweet and edible. Encli hns n stone wliich sepn- 

rntes into 2 2-seeded nutlets. Flowering and fluit- 

in through the year. 

%he sapwood is li ht brown and thin, and the 

heartwood is reddis 8 . The wood is very hard, 

f 

heavy (specific gravity 0.7), and strong. Considered 

a good fencepost in Fuerto Rico. The wood 

of this and related species has been used elsewhere 

for furniture, construction, and violins, guitars, 

and other musical instruments. 

Sometimes planted along highways and fences 

and in ardens as an ornamental. Also a honey 

plant. !?his species is s u b to attacks b enterpillars 

which fasten the leaves together in i: undles 

and cause leaf fall, reducing the value for ornament. 

In thickets and forests of the coastal limestone, 

and lower mountain re ions of Puerto kico. Also 

in Desecheo, Icams, dlebrn, Vieques, St. Croix, 

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola and Vir in Gorda. 

Pun~rc km~rn.-Aguirre, bnmbalnc % e, Carib, 

Guajataca, Gulnicn, Luquillo, Jfaricao, Rio 

Abnjo, Sus6a. 

B~UNICIPALITZEB WHERE EBPEOIALLY OOBfX0N.- 

21,31, 32,36 42, 66, 69. 

RAN~E.-dentral and southern Florida includin 

Florida Ke s and throu h West Indies from 

Bn 5 nmns and 2' uba to St. dncent, Grenada, and 

Trinidad. Also Venezuela to Sur~nam in northern 

South America. Widely planted for ornament. 

OTHE~ COILYON NAXEB.-~LL~O de yitarra, 

bilstln~o (Puerto Rico) ; susanalecl~e (Virgin 

Islands) ; cafe cimarrdn, penda, piindula (Dominican 

Republic) ; penda, canilla de venndo guayo 

blnnco (Cuba) ; Florida fiddlewood, fiddlewood 

(Uaited States) ; spicate fiddlewood, long-tom 

(Uahnmns) ; fiddlewood (Jamaica, St. Vincent, 

Trinidad). 

Minor botanical varieties differin chiefly in 

Ii~tiri~~ess nnd leaf slinpe have been 8stingulshed 

outside Puerto Rico. 

A related tree species of piindula ( Citharexylzum 

eyinosum L.), known also as susana, is wild and 

planted in St. Croix and St. Thomas and ranges 

sontllrvard to northern South Americn. It has 

inches long, thin, hairless, and 

network of small veins when dry, 

black fruits % inch long.

Pbndula, pasture fiddlewood, Florida flddlewood 


CCtAareaylunt frutfcoeum L. 

481

228. Cap6 blanco 

A small to medium-sized tree characterized by : 

( 1 ) the crown usually having a grayish color ; (2) 

opposite long-stalked elliptlc leaves with rough 

surfaces, green and nlmost hnirless on upper surface, 

the lower surface ale yellow ,green and 

covered with minute sca ? es nnd hnirs and with 

prominent veins; (3) twigs 4-angled, finely hairy, 

green but becoming bromn; (4) numerous small 

white flowers about l/s inch long and broad, with 

tubular 4-lobed corollas, borne in long-stalked 

lateral branched clusters arid forminground juicy 

fruits about 5/16 inch in dinmeter, turning from 

green to red to black; and (5) p y bark slightly 

sllreddy and sepamtinq into strips. 

A tree 20-70 feet hlgli and 1 foot or more in 

trunk diameter, with s rending open crown, ever- 

TT~ rou h fissured bark hns 

~,","nn?:l~lg inner bark The young twigs, 

petioles, and flower stalks are minutely hairy. 

Petioles are 1-235 inches long nnd blades 3-0 

inches long and 11/24 incl~es brond, short-pointed 

at apex and rounded or short-pomted at base, 

slightly thickened, and n~ithout teeth on edges. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are 26 inches lon 

includin the long stalks, and bear many minute t: 

f' y 

hairy, s ightly fragrant flowers. Calyx is bellshaped, 

4-toothed; the white tubular corolla mlth 

4 spreading lobes; stamens 4, minute, borne near 

mouth of corolla tube; md pistil with 2-celled 

ovnry, slender style, and 2-lobed stigma. The 

fruits (drupes) are 1-seeded. Flowering and 

fruiting through the year. 

The light bromn snpwood is not clearly separated 

from the very attractive light brown to 

medium brown heartwood, which frequent1 is 

vnriegated or marked by darker stripes. %he 

wood is very hard, heavy (specific gravity 0.66), 

tough, strong, he-textured, with straight, wavy, 

VERBENA FAMII .Y (VERBENACEAE) 

Petitia domingensk Jacq. 

or *interlocked grain, and without gro~rth rings. 

It is susceptible or moderately resistant to attack 

by dry-wood termites and moderately durable in 

contact with the ground. The rate of air-seasoning 

is rnpid, and the amount of de ade moderate. 

Blncllining chnracteristics are as f ollows : planing 

is fnir; shaping, sanding, and resistance to screw 

splitting nre good; and turning, boring, and mor- 

t~sing are excellent. 

Uses include furniture, light and heavy con- 

struction, posts and iling, crossties, and rollers 

for coffee-hulling mil I' s. The wood is suitable also 

for cnbinetmnking, turned articles, novelty items, 

interior paneling, farm implements, handles, nnd 

bridges. 

011 hillsides, thickets nnd woods, in the coastal, 


Rico. Also ,reported long ago from St. Crois and 

St. Thomas. 

This species is charncteristic of openings in see- 

ond-growth forests and probabl is light-requir- 

ing. It is being tested in sma I' l plantations in 

Puerto Rico. The flowers attract bees. 

PUI~LIC FORESTS.-Cambalnche, Carite, Guajatam, 

Luquillo, Rlaricao, Rio Abajo, SusCa, Toro 

Negro. 

I\~UNICIP.~LITIES WI-E ESPECIALLY COM3fON.- 

32,34,38,46,47,49,69. 

RANOE-Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, 

Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Also planted 


OTIIER CODIMON N~IMES.--C~P~ amarillo, capit 

rosado, cap6 de sabana (Puerto Rico) ; capit de 

snbnnn, cup6 sabanero, cap6 blnnco (Dominican 

liepublic) ; roble payo, gunyo prieto (Cuba) ; 

petitin, bastard stopper (Bahamas) ; fiddlewood 

(Jamaica) ; bois d'ortie, ch6ne calebnssier (Haiti).

228. Cap& blanco 

Natural size.

229. Teca, teak 


Teak, which has been introduced sparingly in 

plantations for its valuable timber and-for or- 

nament and shade, is easily identified by I& huge 

elliptic opposite leaves 12-15 inches long and 9-10 

inches broad or larger by its stout 4-angled twigs 

and few coarse branches, and by the bronzesol- 

ored young leaves which yield a reddish juice 

when crushed. The numerous small whitish flow- 

ers % inch long and 3/E inch across the 6 spreading 

corolla lobes are borne in very large flower clus- 

ters. An enlarged thin eg -shaped calyx about 1 

inch across encloses the guit, which is a light 

brown ball about l/z inch in diameter. 

In its native home this is a large tree to 150 feet 

tall, often mith buttressed or fluted trunk. Trees 

of plantations in Puerto Rico hav~ grown to 60 

feet in height and 1 foot in trunk d~ameter within 

20 ears. They are deciduous. The light brown 

bar -l is much fissured and scaly and 14 inch or 

more in thickness. Inner bark is soft, mhltish, and 

almost tasteless. The spreading branches form 

an open crown of light gray twigs and-few very 

large leaves. Young green twigs, follage, and 

flower clusters are covered with fine gray-green 

star-shaped hairs. 

Leaves are stalkless or short- etioled,. most1 

short-pointed at both apex and iase, thickened: 

leathery, and harsh, the upper surface green and 

rough, and the lower surface light green and soft 

hairy. Very large leaves measure as much as 2 

feet long and 16 inches broad. 

Flower clusters (panicles) are terminal erect 

and branched, about 1%-2 feet long and broad. 

The finely hairy flowers have a bell-shaped 6- 

lobed gray calyx; the funnel-shaped whitish corolla 

has a short tube and 6 spreading lobes;. 6 

stamens are inserted on corolla tube; and the pisti1 

has a 4-celled ovary, slender style, and 2-lobed 

sti~:iight brown, finely hairy ball fruit (drupe) 

has a hard stone contalning 4 or fewer seeds 1/4 

inch long (600 fruits to the pound). Recorded in 

flower from August to December and with fruits 

persisting nearly through the year. 

The sapwood is yellowish or whitish. The heartwood 

is olive p n when freshly cut, turnin 

golden brown upon seasoning. The wood is rnd 

Tectona grandis L. f.* 

erately hard, moderately heavy (specific gravity 

0.55), strong, fine-textured, straight-grained, and 

hns distinct annual growth rin oily feel, and 

chnracteristic fragrance when gslily cut. Airseasoning 

is rapid with minor amount of de~ade 

and mith low, uniform shrinkage. ilfnchining 

characteristics are as follows : planing, shaping, 

boring, mortising, and resistance to screw s litting 

are good ; turning is excellent; and san $ i?g 

is very poor. The wood works easil but contams 

silica which dulls cutting edges. I?' lie heartwood 

is very resistant to attaok by dry-wood termite 

moderately resistant to subterranean termites, an 3 

very durable in the ground. However, the sapwood 

is susceptible to attack by termites and is 

not durable. 

Teak, one of the world's best known and most 

valuable timbers, is important in shipbuilding, 

particularly for decking. Its many other uses include 

fine furniture, flooring, joinery, interior 

trim, frames, doors, paneling, carvings, turnery, 

tanks and vats, and laboratory fixtures. Thinnine 

from plantations serve for posts and furniture. 

Trees are cultivated occasionally in tropical 

countries as ornamentals for the large leaves and 

spreading flower clusters. In Puerto Rico small 

experimental plantations have been made on Government 

forests to determine the racticability of 

teak commercial~y. 

grOwinf 

TR~ tree is well 

adapte to deep soils at low elevation. 

Grown experimentally or for ornament at low 

elevations in Puerto Rico and in St. Croix and 

Tortola. 

PURLIC FORSTB.-Cambalache, Carite, Guajataca, 

Luquillo, Rio Abajo. 

R~Na~.-"Tative of southern Asia from India 

to Malaya. Introduced and naturalized in Philippines 

and Java. Planted for timber or ornament 

and in botanical gardens in various tropical areas 

including the West Indies from Cuba and Jamaica 

to Trinidad nnd from Panama to Brazil. Grown 


O~IER conriuo~ NAJ~S.-teca (Spanish) ; teak 

(United States, English) ; teck (Guadeloupe, 

French).

229. Teca, teak 

Two-thirds natural sire.

230. Higiierillo, white fiddlewood 


Small to medium-sized tree with much-fissured 

light brown bark, rough nnd shreddy and separating 

in strips, further distinguished by: (1) oposite 

leaves mostly compound with 3 elliptic leaf- 

Pots or often only 1 or sometimes 2, the end one 

larger than the others; (2) numerous showy pale 

purplish-blue flowers :% inch long and %-% 

inch across the 5 unequal corolln lobes, in lateral 

branching clusters. and (3) blnck egg-shaped 

fleshy fruits l/z inch long, wlth cuplike calyx at 

base. 

A deciduous tree 20-65 feet high and to 21/2 

feet in trunk diameter, with rounded crown. The 

inner bark is light brown nnd slightly bitter. The 

twigs are greenish and minutely hairy when young, 

becomin grny or brown. 

The sender f yeen petioles are s/-294 inches 

long, and the eaflet stnlks 1h inch or less in 

length. Lenflet blades are 2-6 inches long and 

1%-3 inches wide, most1 short-pointed at both 

ends, thin or slightly tliic Z ened, above light green, 

benenth paler t~nd hairy on veins. 

Often the ground under a tree in flower has a 

bluish tinge from the numerous fallen corollas. 

Flower clusters (cymes) 2-8 inches long at base of 

leaves bear several to many sli htly fragrant flowers 

on short slender stalks. #lie flower about % 

inch long has a cuplike calyx less than Ys inch 

high and broad ; pale blue or purplish-blue imp- lnr finely hairy corolla with narrow tube % inch 

long and 5 unequal, spreading, wavy-margined 

lobes, 1 much larger than the others; 4 stamens 1/5 

inch long in 2 pairs inserted on corolla tube and 

sliglltly protruding; nnd pistil '3/s inch long with 

4-celled ovary and slender style 2-forked at end. 

The fruit (drupe) contains a large 4-celled and 

4-seeded stone. In maturing, fruits change color 

from yellow green to brownish and black. Observed 

in flower from February to July nnd in 

fruit from June to November. 

The grayish sapwood turns light brown upon 

drying. The lieartwood when freshly cut is tan 

to brown, generally variegated with darker shades, 

Vitex diuaricata Sw. 

and afterwards becomes gray bromn to deep 

brown, often wit11 indist,inct, narrow, lighter or 

darker bands. The mood is hard, heavy (specific 

avity 0.62), strong, tough, and fine-textured and 

c s irregular, interlocked ernin and well-defhed 

growth rings. Air-seasoning is too slow to be 

practicable commercinlly. Amount of degrade is 

minor. Machining cl~arncteristics nre as follows: 

pltining and resistance to screw splitting are poor; 

shapin , boring, and mortising are good; turning 

f 

is exce lent ; nnd sanding is fair. The wood works 

easily and tnkes a fine polish. It is moderately resistant 

to dry-wood termites and is durable in contact 

witli the ground. 

The mood is used for framework of houses, 

fenceposts, construction, cabinetwork, and else- 

\\there for sllingles. It should be suitable also for 

sportinq goods, tool hnndles, boats, and flooring. 

Planting tests show this species to grow slowly 

and to require nenrly full sunlight. The trees, 

which become covered witli flowers, are suitable 

for ornamentals also. They can be propagated 

from cuttings and grow rapidly in open areas. A 

honey plant. 

ll'idely distributed in coastal, limestone, and 

lower mountain regions of Puerto Rim. Also in 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola. 

P~I.IC ~~n~s~s.~an~balnclle, Cnrite, Guajata- 

ca, Guilarte, Luquillo, Afaricao, Rio Abajo, SusGa, 

Toro Nep. 

B~UNICIP,ILITIES WIIERE ESPECIALLT COMMON.- 

46 50. 

hrao~.-~uba, Hispaniola (Haiti), Puerto 

Rico and Virgin Islands, and throughout ][lesser 

Antilles to Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Also in Venezuela and Guianns. 

OTJ~ER 

conrarorr ~,1sr~s.-p6nduln, p6ndula 

a o, roble de olor, 

{~enezueln) ; fid- 

St. Vincent) ; white fiddle- 

; bois lQzard (Dominica) ; 

rinidad) ; timber fiddlemood 

bois h agouti (Guadeloupe,

280. Hlgtlerillo, white flddlewood 

087-921 M-2 


Vitex divarfcata Sw. 

487

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY (SOLANACEAE) 

231. Tabacdn Solanurn rugoeum Dunal 

A shrub or small tree characterized by: (1) 

large, thin, elliptic, alternate leaves long-pointed 

at apex, the base also long-pointed and gradually 

narrowed into the long petiole, both surfaces 

slightly rough and bearing minute star-shaped 

ham; (2) many widely spreading star-shaped 

white flowers S/g inch across the 5 narrow pointed 

lobes, borne in terminal flattened clusters ; and (3) 

many round yellow berries 4/2 inch in diameter, 

green when immature. 

A spreading evergreen shrub or tree 1215 feet 

high with trunk 2-3 inches in diameter, branching 

at wide angles. The light pay bark is smoothish 

and slightly warty, the inner bark soft, whitish, 

and slightly bitter. The greenish twigs bear many 

minute star-shaped hairs and are slightly rough. 

Spineless throughout, though many species of this 

genus are spiny. 

The alternate leaves have long petioles 1&1'/2 

inches 1onp;appearinq winged from the tapering 

leaf base. Blades are mostly 5-10 inches long and 

2-4 inches broad, green above and paler beneath, 

not toothed on edges. 

The long-stalked branching and flattened flower 

clusters (corymbs) are 2-3 inches across. The 

short-stalked flowers have a bell-shaped tubular 

calyx s/16 inch long, densely hairy and with 5 

pointed lobes; white corolla with short tube and 5 

hairy lobes more than j/4 inch long, spreading like 

a star; 5 stamens 3/16 inch long, inserted on corolla, 

with large yellow anthers opening by pores at 

apex; and plstil with 2-celled ovary more than 1/16 

inch in diameter and slender slightly curved style 

7$6 inch long. The berries have calyx at base and 

contain many small, rounded, flat, brown seeds l/le 

inch in diameter. Flowering and fruiting through 


'de whitish wood is soft and brittle. 

In open areas, such as roadsides, thickets, !Iantations, 

and river banks in the moist coastal, imestone, 

and mountain forest regions of Puerto Rico. 

PWLIG FOREBTB.-Carite, Guajataca., Luquillo, 


RANGE.-His sniola, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, 

Dominica, and &a rtini ue. Also from Guatemala 

to Panama and from d olombia to Peru, Bolivia, 

Brazil, Guianas, and Venezuela. 

OTHER COXBION NAS~ES.-~~B~~ iispero, se i 

(Puerto Rico) ; tabac6n (Dominican ~e~ublicr; 

cucuna (Venezuela) ; caiucdra (Brazil). 

BOTANICAL SPNONYBI.-SOE~RU~ 

aspem Vnhl, 

not L. C. Rich. 

The large and widely distributed genus of 

nightshades (SoZanum E represented in Puerto 

Rico and the Virgin I' slands by about 15 native 

species of mostly spiny herbaceous weeds with 

some shrubs and vines. Also, tabnc6n and the 2 

below become small trees. The cultivated eggplant 

(8. mcehngena L.), potato (8. tuberom 

L.), and a few other species planted for ornamental 

fruits belong to the same genus. The 

berries of some species are edible and of others 

poisonous. 

Tabacbn afelpado, wild tobacco, or mullein 

nightshade (~SoZanu~t~ verbmcifo2ium L. ; S. aricunthum 

D. Don), a spineless shrub and rarely a 

small tree, is found in Puerto Riw, Mona, Muertos, 


Tortola, also widespread in tropical America, and 

naturalized beyond to Florida. It has ovate to elliptic 

lazves 4-12 inches long, velvety hairy with 

minute star-shaped hairs, with petioles up to 2% 

inches long and not winged ; smaller white flowers 

about 1/2 inch across; and round yellow berries 

%-3/q inoh in diameter. 

Erubia (SoZaniLm drymophihrn 0. E. Schultz), 

known only from mountain forests of Puerto 

Rico, is a spiny shrub or small tree with stmight, 

yellow spines up to 3/8 inch long; oblong to lanceshaped 

leaves 3-8 inches long with minute starshaped 

hairs denser beneath, with short petioles 

less than S/8 inch long; white flowers about s/4 inch 

across; and round black berries less than 1/4 inch 

in diameter.


Bolanum rugoaum Dunal 

489

BIGNONIA FAMILY (BIGNONLACEAE) 


A. Leaves crowded in clusters of 3-5 or more along tlie stout twiga, simple, epoon-shaped, 2-7 inches long, broadest 

near the rounded or shorbpolnted npex-232. Crcaccntia oufele. 

AA. Leaves opposite. 

B. Leaves simple or digitate (pnlmntely compound) with 2-C, leaflets. 

C. Flowers with dark red corolln. 

D. Leaves with 6 or 3 elliptic leaflets-235. Tabebuta i~aeniawtha. 

DD. Leaves slmple, elllptic to ovate-237. Tabebuia rfgida. 

CC. Flowers with pink corolln ; leaves with Ei or fewer (sometimes only 1) unequal elllptlc leaflets-256. 

Tabebuia lreteropl~~lla. 

BB. Leaves plnnate or biplnnnte. 

E. Lenves once pinnate. 

F. Leaflets mostly 11-17, elliptic, not toothed, nbruptly short-pointed-234. Rpathodea campanulata.* 

FF. Leaflets 5-13, lnncct-shaped to elliptic, saw-toothed, long-pointed-238. Tecoma scans. 

EE. Leaves biplnnnte, fernlike-233. Jacaranda minroeifolia.* 

232. Higiiero, calabash-tree, common calabash-tree Crescentia cujete L 

This familiar small tree, planted and wild, is seecls are dark brown, thin and flat, about 1/4 inch 

etisily recognized by : (1) the few long spreading long cind broad. Flowering and fruiting through 

brnnches forming a broad open crown; (2) en- the ear. 

Inrged nodes on the stout 11 ht bmwn or gray ~ isapwood e is pinkish to reddish bmwn, and 

twigs; (3) the very large, Rard, nearly round tlie henrt,vood is light bmwn. The wood is moder- 

(sometimes ovnl), green to brown fruits 4-12 tltely hard, moderately heavy (specific gravity 0.6 

inches in diameter, resembling gourds; (4) tlie 0.8), strong, nnd flexible. In Puerto Rico the 

spoon-shaped leaves 2-7 inches long and 3/q-2 t.imber is cut only for fuel. However, other uses 

inches brond, lurrnn ed in clusters along the stout are for tool handles, ox yokes, saddles, and vehicle 

twigs; and (5) the f&l\t green bell-shaped flowers parts. 

Z21/2 inches long, borne singly on the trunk and Widely planted in Puerto Rico and through the 

branches. tropics for the fruits, from which bowls, cups, jugs, 

A tree 2030 feet or mot= in height and 1 foot water containers, and other utensils, as well as 

or more in trunk diameter, evergreen or deciduous ol+nnments and musical instruments, are fashioned, 

in areas with dry seasons. Bark on-small trunks often with decorations. Also classed ns an orna- 

is smoothish or slightly scaly, becoming much fis- mental. Elsewhere blocks of calabash bark and 

sured, light brown or grny, and 1/2 inch thick. Tho wood ns well ns the trees have been used for grow- 

inner bnrk is light brown, fibrous, and slightly ing orchids. The ulp of fruits is poisonous and 

bitter. ]ins been employe c f in local medicines. It is said 

The leaves are rrlostly in clusters of 3-5 or more that the seeds are sometimes cooked and eaten. 

(fnscicled) on spurs (nctunlly ve short Intern1 Ensily propagnted from seeds or cuttings but 

brnnches) for severnl feet dong 7 t le stout twigs slow growing. Through cultivation trees with 

but are also alternate near tips of slender twigs. larger fruits than the wild trees have been de- 

Spoon-shaped (s atulate) or reverse lnnce-shaped veloped. It is reported that various shapes can be 

(oblnnceolate), t y ie leaves are broadest near the obtained by tying and training the 

rounded apes (sometimes ttbruptly short-pointed) Hillsides, .pastures, roadsides, an Twmg 

around fruits. counand 

grndually narrowed to the stalkless or short- try homes In the coastal, limestone, and lower 

stalked base, not toothed on ed es, slightly thick- mountain regions of Puerto Rico, more commonly 

ened and with prominent midrif, green and slight- in the drier areas. Probably more fre uent as a 

ly shiny on upper surface, paler beneath. lnnted tree or an esca e than mild. A 9 so Mona 

Flowers and fruits are unusual in being - Aesec~eo, St. Croix, 

Y 

&. Thomns, St. John, and 

duced directly on the trunk ns well as on bmnc les, Tortoln. 

borne singly on stout stalks I,+% inch long. The Rdz~cr~.-lVidelg distributed in tropical Amerileathery 

green calyx %-I inch long splits deeply ca, native, planted and escaping, propably spread 

into lisually 2 brond lobes; the large, light green, somotvhat through cultivntion. Florida Keys, 

often urplish-streaked corolln is 2-2% Inches grown tilso in southern Florida and California, 

long, sEghtly thickened nnd fleshy, with a brond and introduced in Bermuda. Throughout West 

irregular swollen tube oddly folded on 1 side and Indies from Bahamas and Cuba to Trinidad and 

wit11 5 short, wavy and irregularly toothed lobes Dutch West Indies. Also from southern Mexico 

1% inches across; the 4 stamens are inserted in to Peru and Brazil. Cultivated in the Old World 

corolla tube in 2 pairs with large anthers visible; tro ics. 

and the pistil on a disk has a 1-celled ovary, very ~TIIEII COXYON ~~t~m.-giiirtt, higiiero (DOslender 

style, and broad 2-lobed stigmn. There is minicnn Republic) ; @im, calabasa (Cuba) ; cuan 

unpleasant odor suggesting rotten cabbage. jete, ciridn, twomate,. guaje (Mexico) ; jicaro, 

The giant fruits (berries) have thin hard shells jicnrn (Central Amer~ca) ; morro (Guatemala, 

and whitish pulp and do not split open. The many Honduras) ; guacal (El Salvador) ; calabawro

232. Higiiero, calabash-tree, common calabash-tree 


Oveecentia cujete L. 

491

1 

(Costa Rica) ; totumo, totumbo, calabazo (Pnna- 

ma, Colombia) ; totumo, taparo, camasa, giiire, 

cucharo (Venezuela) ; mate, pilche (Ecuador) ; 

huingo, pati, cayiera, tutumo (Peru); common 

calabnsh-tree, calabash-tree, calabash (United 

States, English) ; calebasse, calebassier (French) ; 

calbbs, calbis rondo Dutch West Indies) ; kale- 

bas, kalabassenboom Surinam) ; cuit6 (Brazil). 

Higiierito (C?*escentia linearifolia Miers) is a 

233. Jacaranda 

related small tree of dry coastal areas mainly in 

southwestern Puerto RICO, St. Thomas, and St. 

John, and in St. Martin. It has narrow, linear, 

shiny, stiff leaves 3/q-2% inches long and less than 

3/8 inch wide, long-pointed and often spiny-tipped, 

crowded ; greenish tubular flowers about ll/z inches 

long; and round or elliptic fruit 1%-2 inches long. 

The third native species is a vinelike shrub of 

western L'uerto Rico. 

BIGNONIA FAMILY (BIGNONIACEAE) 

This handsome introduced tree is occasionally 

planted for its lar e clusters of numerous beautiful 

blue-violet be1 f -shaped flowers 1%-13/4 inches 

long and irregularly 5-lobed borne in spring. The 

attractive dark green fernlike leaves are opposite 

and twice pinnate (bipinnate), about 9-18 inches 

long and 5-8 inches broad, wit11 many small lancesha 

ed leaflets S/e-l/2 inch long and bristle-tipped. 

Po B s are dark brown, nearly round and flattened, 

about 2 inches long and 5/s inch thick, bordered by 

n narrow wing. 

A deciduous medium-sized tree 25-40 feet high 

and 8-12 inches in trunk diameter, with spreading 

crown of thin, delicate folia . The bark is 

smoothish but becoming sli p ltly fissured and 

rough, very li ht brown. finer bark is light 

brown, thin an f bitter. The stout twigs with light 

corky dots (lentieels) are peen when young, turnin 

light gray. 

Laves consist of a. yellow-green axis and about 

20-40 paired lateral axes ( pinnae) , each with about 

19-45 stalkless leaflets, also paired except for the 

larger end one. Leaflets are short-pointed at apex 

and oblique at base, not toothed on edge!, dull dark 

green on upper surface and pale light green 

beneath. 

The terminal, much branched flower clusters 

(panicles) are about 8-12 inches long and 6-8 

inches across, with slender, forkin branches. The 

spreading flowers have short stn F ks or none and 

are only faintly fragrant. Calyx is small cu - 

like, greenish,, l/8 inch long, and 5-toothed; t R e 

tubular blue-nolet corolla is swollen on 1 side and 

abruptly narrowed near base, about l%-lS/q inches 

Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don* 

long, with 5 unequal spreading wavy-margined 

lobes S/q-1 inch across, minutely hairy on outside 

and on lobes; 4 whitish curved stamens about 'l/z 

inch long in 2 pairs of difierent lengths and 1 

Ion er sterile stamen inserted within corolla tube; 

an d on a greenish disk the purplish pistil 7/s inch 

long, composed of 2-celled ovary, slender style, 

and 2-lobed stigma. One corolla lobe is much 

lonpr than the others and opposite a white spot 

inside the tube. 

One or 2 pods (capsules) develop from a flower 

cluster. They split o en along the edges and contain 

many very thin 1 ark bm\m seeds, each about 

S/p by. x6 inch in size, includin the 2 trans arent 

wings. Flowering from ear f y spring to ? une, 

the fruits maturing in spring and early summer. 

The sapwood is I~ght brown and soft. The wood 

is not used locally. 

This species is planted for ornament in Puerto 

Rico and St. Croix but is not common. Propa- 

ated by cuttings and seeds. It is a honey plant. 

fkhen the trees are not in flower, the foliage is 

also attractive. 

RANGE.-Native of northwestern Argentina. 

Planted in West Indies, southern Florida and 

southern California, and from Mexico to Brazil. 

OTHER COJfMON NAB~ES.-flamb0yh azul 

(Puerto Rico) ; fern-tree (Virgin 

jacaranda (Spanish) ; frambogb azull$!%] i 

tarco (Bolivia) ; jacarandii, tarco (Argentina) ; 

. 

'acaranda (United States, English) ; flamboyant 

bleu (~artinique) 

BOTANICAL ~~~o~~rd.--Jacaranda aczctifilia 

auth., not Humb. b Bonpl.

233. Jacaranda 


Jacaranda mtmosljolIa D. Don 

493


234. Tulipin af ricano, African tuliptree Spathodea campanulata Beauv.* 

This handsome ornamental trm is planted for 

its mnsses of large brilliant ornngo-red to scarlet 

flowers. It is easily recognized by : (1) the tuliplike 

tubular flame-colored tlowers 4 inches long and 

3 inches across, in emt clusters mostly at the to 

of the crown; (2) the large erect green to dm e 

brown pods 5-10 inches long, 1% inches wide, 

and 7/g inch thick, wllicll point upward at the ends 

of the branches; and (3) the opposite large pinnate 

leaves 1-2 feet lon with usually 11-17 (some 

times 5-19) opposite cliptic lenflets. 

A large exotic tree becoming 60-80 feet high 

and 1-11/2 feet in trunk diameter, with a dense 

irregular crown of lnrge spreading branches, ever- 

p n 

or nearly decidnous. Big trunks develop 

tnll narrow buttresses at base and are sli htly 

bmndened and grooved. The bark is very!ight 

brown, smoothish but becomin slightly fissured. 

Inner bark is about 1/2 inch t f 

lick, whitish, and 

bitter. The stout grayish-brown twigs are smooth 

except for corky warts (lenticels) . 

The large leaves are opposite or sometimes in 

3's, and the leaflets also opposite except for the end 

one. These leiiflets are 3-6 inches long and 11h- 

3 inches broad, on short stalks % inch Ion 

abruptly short-pointed, rounded and sli htg 

oblique at base, a little th~ckened with edges a f ittle 

turned under, almost hnirless, the upper surface 

gmn to dark green with sunken veins and slightly 

shiny, the lower surface paler. 

The terminal flower clusters (racemes) are 

about 4 inches high and 8 inches across. There are 

numerous crowded horn-sha ed flower buds 1-2 

inches long on stout penis e stalks of the same 

length, orange brown curving inward to the ten- 

ter. Those around the outside open a few at a 

time and drop off about 2 days later. The flowers 

have n most unusual flattened shape, with light 

brown calyx 2-2lh inches long, curved and pointed 

like a horn, splitting open on the outer side, mi- 

nutely hairy nnd with longitudinalriidges. The 

tubular ornnge-red to scarlet corolla about 4 inches 

long and 2 bv 3 inches brond hns an enlarged ir- 

regular bell-shaped tube 2 inches ncross and curved 

downward and 5 brond unequal lobes mith crisp 

wavy edges narrowly bordered with gold. There 

are 4 pale yellow stamens 2-21h inches long, with 

dark brown anthers, inserted in corolla tube in 2 

pairs and projecting bnrely beyond. The pistil on 

n disk consists of an oblong 2-celled ovary % inch 

long, n long, slender, curved, pale yellow style 

nbout 3 inches long, and a 2-lobed red stigma. 

There are 1 to several larp lance-shnped or 

boat-sha ed, slightly flattened pods (capsules) on 

stout sta I' ks, long-pointed, splitting open on 1 side. 

The numerous very thin papery seeds, about 57,000 

to n pound, have a light brown center bordered by 

n trnnsparent wing %-1 inch across. Flowering 

and fruiting throughout the year but particularly 

from lnte winter to early summer. 

The soft wood mith whitish sapwood is not uti- 

lized in Puerto Rico. 

This ornamental and shade tree is propagated 

by seeds, cuttings, and root cuttings. It grows . 

very rapidly but requires nearly full light. Meas- 

ured trees in Puerto Rico increased in trunk diam- 

eter as much-as 2 inches a year. As trees are 

broken by high winds and frequently become hol- 

low nnd hnzardous in age, planting near buildings 

or nlong roads is not advised. Also, the superficial 

root system makes this species undesirable for 

plnnting near houses and sidewalks. The trees 

produce sprouts from the roots, sometimes becom- 

Ing like weeds. This species has been tried forcof- 

fee shade but is not recommended for that purpose. 

Unopened flower buds contain water, ill smell- 

ing and tasting, which squirts out when the buds 

are squeezed, pinched, or pricked with a pin. 

Children play with these buds like water pistols. 

Old dry empty pods when widely open make very 

realistic toy boats, which, however, close up in 

water. 

Cultivated for ornament and shade in Puerto 

Rico, growing in the coastal, limestone, and lower 

mountain regions. Also planted in St. Croix, St. 

Thomas, and Tortola. 

R~~a~.-Native of tro ical West Africa. 

Widely plnnted in tropica f regions around the 

world. Southern Florid? West Indies, Central 

America, and South Amenca. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.-mampolo, nmapola 

(Dominican Republic) ; espatodea (Cuba) ; tuli- 

p4n nfricano (Colombia, Venezuela) ; African 

tuliptree (United States) ; African tuliptree, 

fountain-tree (English) ; immortel Qtranger 

(Haiti) ; tulpenboom (Dutch West Indies).

234. Tnlipttn nfrlcnno, African tuliptree 

Two-thirds natural slzc. 

Spathodea campanutata Beau?. 

495 L4


235. Roble cimarrin Tabebuia haemantha (Bert) DC. 

This handsome small tree native only of Puerto 

Rico is characterized b : (1) opposite, digitate or 

palmately compound r aves with 5 or 3 elliptic 

stiff and leathery leaflets and stout petioles; 

sliolvy, dark red or crimson flowers llh-2 inc P ies 

long, namowly tubular and irregularly 5-lobed, 

severnl to many in erect terminal clusters; and 

(3) narrow grooved seed pod 2lh-4 inches long 

and less than 1h inch in diameter. 

Usually a small tree 10-20 feet tall or often 

flowerin ns a shrub, everr. The gray bark is 

smoothis and sli htly ssured, the inner bark 

whitish and slight F y bitter. The light gray twigs 

are slightly flattened below nodes. 

The leaves have petioles 1-2 inches long and 

leaflet stalks l/g-1 inch long. Leaflet blades are 

2-6 inches long nnd 1/2-11/2 inches broad, when 5 

tlie lowest 2 much smaller than the others and 

near1 stalkless, the apex short-pointed or rounded 

and i ase rounded or slightly heart-shaped, with 

edges turned under slight1 , hairless or minutely 

scaly hairy, the upper su d ace p n and slightly 

shiny, and lower surfnce paler. 

Flower clusters (panicles) have several to many 

flo\vers on slender sprending branches 3-6 inches 

long and broad. The tubular dark red a1yx 3/9- 

5/8 ~nch long has 2 or mare short and unequal 

rounded lobes at apex ; the dark red or crimson co- 

rolla is 135-2 inches long with lon narrow tube 

and B/g inch or more across the 5 s 7 101% irregular 

lobes; there are 4 stamens in 2 pairs inserted near 

bnse of corolla with the long slender filaments pro- 

jecting beyond; and pistil on a disk with conical 

2-celled ovary, slender style as long as corolla, and 

stigma with 2 flattened lobes. 

The seed pod (capsule) retains the calyx at 

bnse nnd bears many 2-winged seeds 8/q inch lon 

Probably flowering and fruiting nearly throug 

tlie ear. 

~ g li e ht brown, hard wood is little used because 

of t ? ie small size of the tree. 

Perhaps of ornamental value for the showy 

flowers from which the specific name, meanin 

blood Aower, was derived. N. L. Britton call 3 

this one of the most elegant of the endemic species 


In dry forests and thickets in the southern foot- . 

hills rising into the lower mountain region on the 

south slopes of the west end of the Central Cordillera 

of Puerto Rim. 

PUBLIC FOREGTS.-&~~~~C~O, SUS~. 

R~No~.-Knowvn only from Puerto Rico. 

OTIIE~ COMMON ~~m.-roble colorado (Puerto 


%

Natural slzt. 

Tabebuta hamantha (Bert.) DO. 

497


236. Roble blanco, "white-cedar" Tabebuia heterophylla (DC.) Britton 

This valuable timber tree is distinguished by: 

(1) beautiful masses of showy pink tubular 5- 

lobed flowers 2-3s inches long, covering the tree 

in spring and making it stand out ns an attractive 

feature of the landsape; (2) opposite palmate 

leaves with 5 or fewer (sometimes only 1) unequal 

elliptic or oblnnceolate leaflets; and (3) dark 

brown cignrlike pods 3-8 inches long and M inch 

in diameter. 

Roble blanco is a small to mediumsized, mostly 

deciduous tree attaining 60 feet in height and 1% 

feet in diameter, with an erect axis and narrow 

columnar crown. The bark is rough and furrowed, 

pay to brown, about l,l 3/8 inch thick. Inner bark 

IS light brown and &ghtly bitter. 

green, turning to brown, covered with tiny rown are 

dotlike scales, with lnrgo nearly round leaf scars. 

The leaves typically are 6-12 inches lon 

ing the petioles 2-5 inches long and lea P ets includ- with 

slender stalks about 1/2-1 inch lon and blades 2-6 

inches Ion and 1-21/2 inches tri 6 e. However, in 

dry areas t Ci, e leaves are smaller, only 11h-5 inches 

long, includin the petioles inches long and 

the short-stnl k ed or stalkless leaflets only %-3 

inches Ion and as few as 1. hflets are mo:tly 

€ 

broadest eyond middlo and commonly blunt- 

pointed at apex and bnse, the edges without teeth 

and sometimes slightly turned under, slightly 

thickened, hairless exce t for tiny brown dotlike 

scales, green and slight y shiny on upper surfacs 

and puler beneath. 

P 

The large flowers are abundant over the cro\\-n, 

few to several together in terminal and laternl 

clusters (corymbs or panicles) or sometimes single 

on slender stalks x-1 inch long. Calyx tubular, 

9/g-g inch long, 3-5-toothed, covered with dotlike 

scales; the tubular corolla funnel-shaped, 

2-3Y2 inches long with 5 slightly unequal broad 

lobes l%-3 inches across, dee pink or sometimes 

varying from whitish to purp 7 ish; stamens 4, in 2 

pairs of different lengths inserted on the corolla; 

and pistil on n disk, with 2-celled ovary, slender 

stylo, and 2-lobed stigma. 

The pod (capsule) s lits along 2 lines to shed 

the numerous thin lig R t brown seeds 1/2-1 inch 

long with 2 white wings. The fresh seeds average 

about 21,000 to the ound. Flowering mainly In 

P 

early spring but n so sporndically through the 

year, and with mature fruits over the year. 

The heartwood is light brown with grayish or 

golden hue and fine brown lines, not easily se a- 

rated from the similar sapwood. The woo is 

moderately hnrd, moderately heavy (specific grnv- 

ity 0.58), tough, strong, with medium to coarse 

texture, with straight to interlocked grain, and 

gro\vth rings. The rnte of air-seasoning is rapid, 

and amount of degrnde is moderate. Machining 

characteristics are as follows: planing and resist- 

B 

ance to screw splitting are fair; shaping, boring, 

mortising, and snnding are exeellent; and turning 

is good. The wood takes a high polish. It is moderately 

durable in contact with the ground but 

very susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. 

The wood is important in Puerto Rico, classed ns 

construction timber, although now* cut chiefly for 

posts and poles. Other uses mostly elsewhere nre 

furniture, cabinetwork, interior tnm, face veneer, 

flooring, paneling, bontbuilding, and ox yokes. 

Extensively planted on the more humid public 

forest lands because of its adaptability to solls degraded 

by faming. The abundant small trees 

found in many areas may in good weather be 

pulled up and successfull reestablished by planting 

elsewhero. Classed n i' so as a honey 

Because of the numerous large pmn!laEkers 

which cover the tree, often when nearly leafless, 

and mhicll form n car let on the ground upon falling, 

the t,rees are popu \ ar for ornament and shade. 

Unfortunately, some trees in Puerto Rico have 

been deformed by a witches'-broom disease. Also, 

in long dry periods, leafhoppers feed on these 

trees, defoliating them or causing the leaves to 

turn yellow. Consequently, some authorities have 

suggested that planting of this species for om* 

ment be tliscont~nued nnd have recommended the 

substitution of immune introduced species of the 

same genus. 

Widespread in forests, abandoned pastures, secondary 

forests, forest plantations, and along roqdsides 

nnd city streets throughout Puerto R~co, wlth 

the exception of the upper Luquillo and upper 

Cordillern forest regions. Also In Mona, Cap de 

bfuertos, Culebrn, Viques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, 

St. John, Tortoln, Virgin Gordn, and Anepda. 

PUBLIC ~onm.-Aguirre, Cnmbalache, Carite, 

Guajntnca, Gubnica, Guilarte, Luquillo, Maricao, 

Rfo Abnjo, Suslin, Toro Negro, Vegn. 

~~UNICIPALITIFX~ WHERE lBPECIAl.LY COMMON.- 

13, 17, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 47, 50, 53, 58, 59, 

68,74. 

RANGE.-Hispnnioln, Puerto Rico and Virfiin 

Islands, and throughout Lesser Antilles to Grenada 

and Barbados. Also naturalized in Bermuda 

and planted in southern Florida. 

OTIIER conrMoN ~anr~8.-roble, roblo de yugo, 

roble prieto, prieto, roble de costa (Puerto Rico) ; 

pink manjack, pink-cedar, tooshe-flower (Virgn 

Islands) ; roble blanco (Spanish) i roble (commerce) 

; pink trum et-tree (Un~ted Statas) ; 

white-cedar (Bermu cr a, St. Kitts to Grenada) ; 

poirier (St. Lucia) ; whitewood (Barbados) ; 

poirier gris, poirier rouge, poirier blanc (Guadeloupe, 

French). 

BOTANICAL 8~~0~~~18.-Tabebuk pentaphya 

auth., not (L.) Hemsl., T. pallida (Lindl.) Miers, 

T. pall& subsp. heterophylla (DC.) Stehl6, T.

236. Roble blanco, "whitecedar" Tabebuta heterophyllo (DC.) Brltbn 


499

hterophylla subsp. pallida (Miers) StehlO, T. 

dontinice& Urban, T. pall& subsp. dominicensio, 

(Urban) StehlO, 2'. kccida Britton. 

The Spanish name roble blanco, menning white 

oak, refers to the superficial resemblance of the 

wood to oak. The locnl English name "whitecedar" 

in the Virgin Islnnds and Lesser Antilles 

is misleading, because the wood does not resemble 

that of the unrelated cedars. White tabebuia 

would be a more approprinte name. 

This is a variable species whose variations hnve 

been distinguished ns species or subspecies by some 

authors, as the above synon my indicates. The 

typicnl variation common t rough Puerto Rico 

except in the drier parts has lenves with 5 large 

leaflets. In dry areas and on coastal thickets in 

the Lesser Antilles the shorter trees, known as 

K 


roble prieto, hnve smnller lenves with reduced 

lenflets as few as 1, fewer and mostly smaller flow- 

ers, shorter pods, and smnller seeds. A third var- 

intion present in Gundeloupe, Dominica, and Mar- 

tinique is a large tree whose lenves generally have 

only 1 lnrge broadly elliptic thicker blade or 

leaflet. 

Some authors have united this West Indian 

species with another species ranging from Mexico 

through Central America to Colombia and Vene- 

zuela and formerly known as Tabebuia penta- 

phylla, a name now rejected. The mainland 

species (T. rosea. (Bertol.) DC.), called apamnte 

in Venezuela and pink poui in Trinidad, is a larger 

tree readily distinguished by the 5 larger, long- 

pointed, thinner, ovate leaflets. 

237. Roble de sierra Tabebuia rtgMa Urban 

A small to medium-sized tree confined to the 

eastsrn mountains of Puetro Rico, distin ished 

by : (!) o posite, elliptic to ovate, stiff an lentherg 

sunp P e leaves 2-6 inches long and 1%-2?4 

inches wide, with edgea curved under; (2) pink 

to dark red tubular 5-lobed flowers 1%-2 inches 

long, 1 or few in terminal clusters; (3) dark 

brown, cigarlike pods 54% inches long and % 

inch in diameter; and (4) 4-angled twigs. 

Everpn tree commonly 25-30 feet tall and 8 

inches in trunk diameter, sometimes larger or 

shrubby. Crown o en and spreading. The 

smooth, light brown t ark is usually covered with 

mosses and similar small plants. Inner bark is 

whitish and bitter. Twigs becoming pay, with 

tin brown dotlike scales. 

%etioles are H-1 inch long. Blades are shortinted 

or rounded at apex and base, with tiny 

gown dotlike scales, pen on upper surface and 

paler beneath. 

Flowers have slender stalks 1-1% inches long. 

There is a tubular calyx s/g-45! inch Ion covered 

with dotlike scales; the tubular con, a 135-2 

% 

r 


The snpwood is hard and brown. Because of 

the small size and poor form of the trees, the wood 

is little used. 

Upper mountain forest, including dwarf forest, 

in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. 

PUBLIC FOREST.-LU~U~~~O. 

R~~a~.-Known only from enskrn herto Rico. 

Roble colorndo (Tabebuia sohumanniana Urban), 

known only from mountain forests of western 

Puerto Rico, is a related species also with simle 

leaves and red flowers. It differs in the leaves 

Erondest tonard apex (obovate or oblaneeolate), 

3-01/2 inches long, and the usually longer flower 

stalks 1-2 inches long.

Natural rlze, 

Tabebufa *Cgkla Urban

238. Roble amarillo, ginger-thomas 


Tecoma stans (L.) H. B. K. 

The official flotver of the United States Virgin The principal local use is as an ornamental for 

Islands, this ornamental shrub or small tree is the showy flowers, such as along roadsides and 

characterized b : (1) many large, shoviy, tubular, fences. The slight1 frn rant flowers are a 

bell-shaped, 2- r obed, yellow flowers 1v2-2 inches source of honey. Finer Buds will pop when 

lon (2) large, narrow, dark brown, cigarlike s ueezed. Bark, leaves, and roots have been eml>oc~'~ 

inches long nnd S;i6 ~nch in dlnmeter; p 1 o ed in llonle medicines. 

nnd (3) opposite pinnate leaves 4-10 inches lon Annted and on open hillsides in the southern 

with 5-13 lance-shaped to elliptic nw-toothed leaf foothills of Puerto Rico. Also in Vieques, St. 

lets. 


Having a great geographicnl range, this Rr\~a~.-lVidely distributed in tropical Ameris 

somewhat variable in shape of leaflets an qecias oth- ica, including varieties, nnd perhaps s read and 

er characters and lias been divided into varieties. natumlized fro111 cultivation. Throug R out West 

It is evergreen, 10-25 feet high, and to 3 inches or Indies from Bnhamns and Cuba to Trinidad, and 

more in trunk dinmeter. The light p y bark is ~ult~ivnted in Dutch lVest Indies. Also Florida 

rough and much furrowed. Inner bark is brown, (perhaps naturalized) and from southern Texas, 

fibrous, . - and bitter. Young twigs are p n , turn- southern New Mexico, and southern Arizona 

in brown. 

south through Mesico and Central America to Bo- 

%he short-stalked or stalkless leaflets are 1%- livia, northern Argentina, and Brazil. 

4 inches long and $$-I% inches broad, lon- OTIIER cosraroN ~~sr~s.---~afico amarillo, ruipointed 

at apex and short-pointed at base, thin, bnrbn (Puerto Rico) ; yellow-elder, yellow-cedar 

usually hairless, and green on both surfaces. (Virgin Islnnds) ; sniico amarillo (Dominican Re- 

Seveml flowers are bone on short stalks in a public, Cuba) ; retnma, tronadorn, 

terminal cluster (ixceme). The calyx is % inch ICO) ; Snn Andr6s, trlfiualaiste, marc p uchn, tnsto, 

long tubular and 5-toothed. the bright yellow fun- tnche (El Salvador); snrdinillo, San Andrh 

uel-shaped or trumpet-shaped corolla 11/2-2 (Hondurns) ; snrdinillo, chilca, flor marilla 

inches long and 1% inches across the 2 spreading (Nicn~ngun) ; mndelillo, carboncillo (Costa 

lobes; stamens 4, In 2 pairs of different lengths Ricn) ; copete (Pannma) ; fresno nmericnno, roble 

inserted on tlie corolln; and on a disk the istii amarillo, chirlobirlos (Colombia) ; fresnillo 

with 2-celled ovary, long slender style, and 2- f obed (Venezueln) ; cholin, fresno (Ecuador) ; huaranstigma. 

hua (Peru) ; toco-toco (Bolivia) ; gunranguay 

The pod (capsule) splits open lengthwise to re- amnrillo, qariin amnrillo, guaran 

lense many vety thin light bmn seeds, which are 

gunrnngul~rnn (Argentina) ; ye ff om trumpet, b1an*9 

Florida yellow-tnltnpet, yellow trumpet-flower, 

nearly 1 inch long including the 2 whitish papery ellow-elder (United States) ; coribee (Antip?).; 

wings. Flowering and fruiting nearly throughout Kois caraibe (Grenruln) ; Christmas-hope ( nnithe 

year. 

dnd) ; chevalier Haiti) ; bois fleurs jaunes 

The sapwood is light brown and hard. The (Gundeloupe, St. Lucin) ; kelki heel, yellowwood 

is seldom available in size large enough for blossom (Dutch West Indles) . 

use in Puerto Rim and the Virgin Islands but else- BOTANICAL 8~~0~~nrs.-~!t~m~obium stuns (L.) 

where has been employed in cabinetmaking, wood Seem., 8. incimm Rose &, Stnndl., Tecoma tronoturning, 

and construction 

dora (I~oes.) Johnst.

258 Roble omarillo, ginger-thomaa 

687-921 6-8 


Tecoma stam (L.) H. B. K. 

503

Natural slze. 

Atrtfrhea obtusifolia Urban

western Puerto Rico and other islands, has elliptic 

or ovate leaves 2-5 inches long, slightly thickened 

dull green, with petioles about M inch long, and 

white flowers about s/s inch long. 

A closely related rare species (Antirba portori- 

240. Caft?, coffee 

This familiar cultivated shrub, the source of 

one of the world's most popula~ beverf~ges, some- 

times becomes a small tree and IS sufficiently com- 

mon and im ortant for inclusion here. Coffee is 

charncterizex by : (1) opposite, elliptic, shiny 

en leaves, commonly long-pointed at apex 

ointed at base, and with undulat~ng 

+e veins sunken, o? lon slender 

spreading and sl~ghtly droop~ng tlv~gs; f2) white 

fragrant flowers 1% inches across the 5 long corolla 

lobes, several together and almost stalkless at leaf 

bases alon a twig; and (3) elliptic red berries 

1/2-5/8 inch 4 ong, containing usually 2 large brown 

seeds, the coffee beans. 

Generally a compact shrub 5-10 feet high but in 

age and if not pruned back becoming a small tree 

12-15 feet high and 2-3 inches in trunk diameter, 

evergreen with spreading folia . The bark is 

light gray, thin, much fissurec and becoming 

rough. Inner bark is whitish and tasteless. From 

the main axis extend many twigs, Fen when 

oung but changing to light brown, with pairod 

&n-g-pointed noales (stipules) K6 inch long at 

nodes. 

Petioles are %-% inch long, and blndes 3-7 

inches lon and llh-2% inches bmd, the edges 

often slig f tly wavy, a little thickened, hairless, 

paler green beneath. 

Flowers are clustered on short stalks about 1/8 

inch long. The calyx consists of 5 minute teeth on 

the green tubular base (hypanthium) less than 1/8 

inch long; the showy corolla has a narrow cylindrical 

tube sj$-1. inch long and 5 widely spreading, 

narrow, pointed lobes S/8 inch long; there are 

5 white stamens inserted in mouth of corolla tube; 

and pistil with 2alled inferior ovary and slender 

%forked white style. 

The coffee berries have ti thin fleshy pulp and 

2 (sometimes 1) elliptic seeds or benns 5/1?-.'h 

inch long, flattened on the side where they joln. 

There are about 1,000 seeds to a pound. Flowering 

mainly in spring from March to June and 

maturing fruits for harvest from September to 

December. 

The wood is whitish, hard, heavy, and tough. 

It is little used in Puerto Rico. 

MADDER FAMIL Y (RUBIACEAE) 

censis (Britton k Wilson) Standl.; synonym 

Stemstomurn portoricense Britton & Wilson), of 

~lortllern Puerto Rico, differs in its petioles ?I,,+ 

inch long and 4-celled elliptic fruit g/s inch long 

and % inch in diameter. 

Coffea arabica L.* 

Coffee is one of the most important ngricultura1 

products exported from tropical America. 

The shrubs are widely cultivated in tropical 

regions for their seeds, which contain caffein and 

are roasted and round to produce the drink of 

the snme name. ghis is the most widely grown of 

se\~ernl species. Tllere are many varieties. It is 

reported that in the New World coffee was intro- 

duced first into Surinam by the Dutch in 1714, 

into Jamaicn in 1718, Mnrtinique in 1720, and 

Brazil in 1727. 

In the motintninous areas of Puerto Rico, coffee 

is one of the principal crops. Coffee plantations 

are located in the mountains chiefly at elevations 

between 800 and 3,000 feet, on an area of about 

175,000 acres. Tlie shrubs are grown under 

shade trees, chiefly guaba (Znga Vera Willd.) and 

gunm& (Znga lau?*inu (Sw.) Willd.). These 

plantations rotect the soil and reduce erosion on 

mountain s I' opes. Because of its many large 

flowers, coffee is also a honey plant, producing 

white honey with n characteristic flavor. 

Planted and escaping from cultivation in 

Puerto Rico. Also to a limited extent in St. 

Croix, St. Thomns, St. John, and Tortola.. 

RANGE.-Native of Abyssinia but early intro- 

duced into Arabia (14th century) and extensive- 

1 planted and escaping through the tropics. 

6ultivated and esca ing or naturalized in 

Bermuda and most o f West Indies from Cuba 

and Jamaica to Trinidad and Tobago. Also from 

Mexico and Central Arnericn south to Brazil. 

Grown as a novelt or ornamental shrub in 

southern Florida an d southern California. 

OTHER COJIMON 

ish) ; coffee, 

cnf6ier (French) ; koffie 

Other s ecies and varieties of coffee have 

been intro !i uced experimentally in Puerto Rico. 

Dewevre coffee or cnf6 excelsn (Coffea dewevrei 

Wildem. & T. Dur.'), sometimes lanted, is a 

s~nrlll tree 20 feet high and 4 inc f' les in trunk 

dirrmeter or larger unless pruned. It has large 

elli tic leaves 9-14 inches long and 34/24 inches 

wi B e, leathery, dark green, and sli htly shiny; 

\\-hito flowers wit11 corolla of 5-7 lo k 

es; and reddish-yellow 

berries.

240. Cafe, coffee 

Tw!-thirds natural size. 

Co#ea arabica L. 

507

MADDER FAMILY (RUBIACEAE) 

241. Albarillo, Caribbean princewood Exostema caribaeum (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. 

This shrub or small tree of dry areas is distinguished 

b : (1) slender spreading brnnches sometimes 

wit i' lout n definite crown of foliage; (2) 

opposite, small, thin, elliptic or ovate leaves, longor 

short-pointed with m~nute sharp point at apex 

and short-pointed at base, commonly curved upward 

on both sides of midrib; (3) large whitish or 

pale yellowish flowers 2-2s inches long, with nnrrow 

corolla tube and 5 very narrow s rendin 

lobes, borne singly at leaf bnses; and r4) dnrf 

brown elliptic seed capsules %-B)$ inch long. 

Everpeen, 10-25 feet high and to 4 inches in 

trunk d~nmeter. The bark is dnrk gray, smoothish 

with dots (lenticels), and thin, or becoming fissured. 

Inner bark is bitter and ellow, the cut surfnce 

turning orange. The slen d' er gray twigs have 

lenves commonly crowded and a pair of pointed 

bristlelike scales (stipules) inch long forming a 

rin at ench node. The nodes are mostly close toget 

R er and bear old fruit stalks as well as scale 

rin back of the leaves. 

'Re lenves have slender petioles %+ inch long 

and blndes 1-3 inches lon and 1/2-1% inches 

broad, the ecl es not toothe4 green to dnrk green 

on upper sur f ace, lighter green and slightly hai 

beneath. Sometimes the leaves are yellow spottex 

and with very slender yellow anthers extending 1 

inch beyond tube; and pistil with 2-celled inferior 

ovary and very long slender style about 2% inches 

long. 

The seed capsules split into 2 parts to release 

the many brown seeds, which are elliptic, s/16 inch 

long, thin, nnd bordered by n narrow ring. 

Flowering and fruiting irregularly through the 

year. 

The sapwood is yellon-, and the heartwood is 

lidit brown with yellow streaks. The wood is 

liarcl, very heavy (specific gravity 1.0), and 

strong. -1 clurnble fencepost. Else1~11e1.e the wood 

has been utilized in cnbinetmnking, \~~ood turning, 

such ns for cnnes, and inlaid work. The wood 

burns readily rind has served for torches, ns a few 

common names indicate. 

Formerly the bitter bark was used for treatment 

of fevers and as n substitute for cinchona bark, 

the source of quinine, which is obtained from a 

closely related genus (Cinchona). 

Common in open areas, clearings, thickets, and 

cutover dry forests near coasts and at lower and 

middle elevations in southern and western Puerto 

Rico. Also in Mona, Culebra, Visques, Muertos, 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Virgin 

Gorda, and Anegnda. 

PUBLIC FORESTB.-GU~ jaha, Guiinica, Maricao, 

Sus6a. 

BIUSICIPALI'I?EB WIIERE ESPECIALLY COMMON.- 

12, 26, 54. 

RANOE.-Southern Florida includin Florida 

ICe s and throu h West Indies from Rn amas and 

Si 

f 

Cu a to Grena a. Also from central Mexico to 

Costa Ricn. 

OTHER COMMON NAMEB.-~~~O de Jazmin teilln, 

cuero de sapo, uinq palo de uina (Puerta kico) ; 

yellow-torch ( 't. irgin Islan % s) ; piiif-pifii, quina 

criolla (Dominican Re ublic) ; cerillo, lirio san- 

tnna, carey de costa ( 2' uba) ; copalche (Mexico) ; 

h e s i t o Nicaragua) ; Caribbean princewood, 

rincewoo d (United States) ; princewood (Ba- 

ramas) ; Caribbee bark-tree, Jamaica Jesuit-bark 

(Jamaica) ; ironwood (Anti a) ; chandelle Anglaise, 

q"inquina pa s (~aitg tendre en omme, 

quinquina carni%e, tois chandelle (Guade oupe) ; 

quinquina piton (Martinique) . 

f 

Two other s ecies of this genus have been collected 

once in 8 nerto Rico, though present also on 

other islands. Plnteado (E~ostema ellipticum 

Griseb.) , found in the mountain forest of the Central 

Cordillern near Villnlbn, hns elliptic leaves 

1%3M inches long and 1-1% inches wide, 

rounded or shortointed at both ends, with 

~etioles about j/q inc R long; clusters of few smaller 

kowers nbout i-ll/r inches long, with corolla 

white, becoming rose; and cylindric s d capsules 

6/g-l% inches long. 

Exostema sanctae-l& (Kentish) Brittan, ob- 

served in the mountnin forest near Maricao many 

gears ago, hns larger oblong to elliptic leaves 

443% inches long and about half as wide, short- 

pointed, shiny above, dull and with tufts of hairs 

111 vein angles benenth, with petioles 1/2 inch long 

or less; flower clusters terminal flowers 1-1% 

inches long, with red corolla; anA cylindric seed 

cnpsules %-3/q inch long.

241. Albarillo, Caribbean princewood 

Natural size. 

Eroetema carfbacun~ (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult.

242. Caf eillo, f alse-coff ee 


This shrub or small tree is distinguished by : (1) 

very long lateral branches bbi-ring numerous opposite 

leaves; (2) elli tic, shiny dark green leaves, 

abruptly lon6-pointe~at apes and short-pointed at 

base, and with a pair of bristle-tipped scales 

(stipules) l/s inch or more in length between each 

2 leaves; (3) fragrant white flowers with narrow 

tube about 5/8 inch long and 4 widely spreadmg, 

narrow, pointed corolla lobes about s/8 inch long, 

in loosely branched terminal and lateral clusters; 

and (4) hard black fruits about s/s inch in diameter, 

rounded but broader than long. 

en shrub or small tree 10-30 feet-or more 

in heig t and 3 inches or more in trunk d~ameter. 

The gray or brown bark is smoothish and sl~ghtly 

fissured. Inner bark is light brown, nlmost tasteless, 

Twigs are slender and green with rings at 

nodes. 

The leaves have petioles %-1/2 inch long and 

blades 3-6 inches long and 1-3 inches broad, not 

toothed at edges, slightly thickened, and paler 

reen beneath. The foliage darkens or becomes 

flackish upon drying. 

Flower clusters ( ankles) are 14 inches long, 

with few to several E owers on long slender stalks. 

The tubular base (h panthium) '/ls inch long 

bears a cup-shaped ca i yx more than inch long 

with 4 minute teeth ; the white corolla has a narrow 

tube % inch or less in length and 4 lobes; the 4 

stamens are inserted in the mouth of corolla tube; 

and the pistil has an inferior 1-celled ovary, slender 

style, and 2-forked stigma. Often flower buds 

are deformed as. insect galls, the corolla enlarged 

near base and mlth very short lobes. 

Faramea occidentalk (L,) A. Rich. 

The fruits (drupes) have calyx remaining at 

apex and contain 1 large rounded brown seed with 

a depression on 1 side. Flowering in spring and 

summer, the fruits maturing in summer and fall. 

The wood is light brown or yellow, hard, and 

moderately heavy, and takes a good polish. Generally 

too small for other than fuelmood use in 

Puerto Rico but reported as used in carpentry elsewhere. 

Understory tree or shrub in forests of moist 

limestone and lower mountain regions in Puerto 

Rico. Also in Vieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. 

John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. 

Ponuc FORESTS. - Luquillo, Guajataca, Rio 

Abajo, Susca. 

RANGE.-Through West Indies from Cuba and 

Jamaica to Barbados and Trinidad md Tobago. 

Also from central Mexico through Central 

America to Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and the 

Guianas. 

OTH~ COMMON NAMEB.-P~~O de toro, caM cimahn 

(Puerto Rico) ; cafstillo (Dominican Republic) 

; hiquillo, caf6 cimarr6n, jGcaro, jiijano, 

nabaco (Cuba) ; hueso (Mexico) ; cafecillo (Mexico, 

El Salvador) ; huesito (Panama) ; cafecillo, 

cafecillo de dnnta, jnsmin de estrella (Venezuela) ; 

jhjamo, cafetillo de monte (Ecuador) ; wild-coffee 

(Jsmaicn, St, Hitts, Bfontserrst, St. Vincent, 

Barbados) ; caf6 marron, bois flkche (Guadeloupe) 

. 

BOTANICAL SYNONYB~-~U?'U~U O~OTU&~~W 

DC.

242. Cafefllo, false-coffee 


Faramea occfdm~talle (L.) A. Rich.

243. Jagua, genipa 

Jaya or genipa, the source of n sour refreshin 

drink, is characterized by : (1) an erect trunk wit A 

leaves concentrated at the ends of the bmnches; 

(2) opiosite, large elliptic or obovnte leaves, green 

or dnr pen, sl~ghtl~ shiny, 4-12 inches Ion and 

ly-4 inches broad, short-pointed at apex ?ongo~nted 

at base, md broadest beyond middle; (3) 

Lrge pale yello~v flowers about 1 inch long and 

11/2 inches across the 5 lobes, few or severnl in short 

terminal clusters; and (4) lar e elliptic yellow- 

brown fruits 31/2-4% inches f ong and 21/2+1/2 

inches in diameter, w~th sour edible flesh, hnnglng 

down singly on long stalks. 

This is a medium-sized deciduous tree to 60 feet 

high and 1Y2 feet in diameter or larger, with 

spreading crown of dense foliage. The bark is 

smooth, py, and thick. Inner bark is light bronqi 

and almost tasteless. The stout twigs are green, 

turning brown, with ringed nodes close together, 

hairless or hairy. 

Tlle short petioles are x-l/z inch long. Blades 

are without teeth on edrces. sli~htlv thickened, 

the lower surface nler &e'en &d hairless and 

often hairy. At t T ie base of young leaves are 

long-pointed scales (stipules) s/s-s/s inch long, 

which shed early. Upon drying the leaf blades 

turn dark bluish 

The branched ffTen. 01% er clusters (cymes) are shortstslked, 

2 4 inches long nnd brond, bearing large, 

slightly fragrant flowers. Tlie funnel-shaped bnse 

(hy anthiurn) and cylindricnl tubular calyx with- 

out 7 obes are green, together l/z inch long and YL 

inch in diameter; the corolla has n tube about 1/2 

inch long with 5 brond lobes, which are widely 

spreading and turned back, pnle yello\v but brown 

at base inside. finely hairy; 5 stamens inserted on 

the corolla tube; and pistil with &-celled inferior 

ovary, slender style, and long thicker stigma. 

Fruits (berries) tire soft \vlien mature, \\.it11 

strong sour odor, with leathery skin and yellow- 

brown pulp 1/2 inch thick. Within are numerous 

flnt yellowish seeds ?/s-Yz inch long. Flowering 

and fruiting from sprlng to fall. 

The sapwood is cream colored, and the heart- 

wood very light yellowish brown, occusionnlly 

with slight, pinkish- or purplish-blue overcast, 

with growth rings marked by narrow darker 

bands forming an attractive striped fimre. The 

\rood is hard, heavy (specific gmvity 0.66), strong, 

resilient, fine-testured, and with strnight to irreg- 

rllnr gruin. Rate of air-seasoning is slow, and 

r~mount of depde is minor. Machining charac- 


Genipa americana L, 

teristics are as follows: planing, shaping, turning, 

boring, nnd mortising are excellent; and sanding 

~tnd resistnnce to screw splitting are good. The 

wood \vorks ensil and with excellent results, better 

than most ot h er Puerto Rican moods. It is 

very susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites, 

pinllole borers, and to decay. 

IJses include tool handles, furniture, boxes, and 

cnrts. Elsewhere the wood is employed for shoe 

lnsts, plow beams, tool handles, barrel hoops, 

chests, vehicles, and shipbuilding. It is very suitnble 

for cabinetwork, turnery, flooring, interior 

trim, and decorative veneer. 

The trees are grown for shade and ornament as 

well as for the fruit and wood. An intoxicating 

beverage has been prepared from the fermented 

juice. The fruits sometimes are made into marmnlntle 

or preserves. Imnint~~re fruits contaln a 

blue-blnck juice which produces a lasting or indeliblo 

stain. It has been used as 5 dye and by the 

Intlic~ns in tattooing and in pnint~ng tliemselves as 

n protection gain st insect bites. A honey plant. 

IAivestock eat the fruits. 

\\roodlands and pastures in the constal, moist 


Rico. Planted around houses for the edible fruits. 

Also in Vieques, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

PUI%LIO ~o~~x3~s.-Cambalache, Carite, Luquillo, 

bfnricno, Rio Abajo, Sus6n. 

Rlt~a~.-Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and 

Vir in Islands, Lesser Antilles from Gundeloupe 

to 6 rennda, and Trinidad and Tobago. Also from 

southern Mexico and Central America south to 

Ecnndor, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Bmzil. 

OTHER COMMON ~~xu~s.-jagua (Spanish, cornmerce) 

; maluco (Mexico) ; irayol, ira 01 de loma 

(Gantemnln) ; irayol, tambor, tiiinzentes (El 

Salvador) ; tapaculo, gigunlti (Nicarngua) ; paiti1 

(Costa Rica) ; guaitil blanco, jagus amanlla, 

jagan blnnca, jagun colorndo, jagun de montaiin, 

jrtgnn negrn (Panama) ; cnruto, caruto rebalsero 

(Irenezuela) ; huito, vaco-liuito, vito (Peru) ; bi 

(nolivin) ; dnndipii (Argentina) ; nipap, ma?- 

~nnlnde-box (British \Vest Indies5 rose-mane 

(St. Lucin) ; resotu montagne (Dom~nica) ; 'uniper, 

genip (Trinidad) ; ibo-ink (Tobago) ; Inn& 

gelliptree, nipn (British Guiann) ; @ne-pas, 

g611ipnyer (@? Haiti) ; genipa (Gundeloupe, French 

Guiann) : tnproepn, tapoeripn, arnsnloe, sawa 

(Surinam) ; genipapo (Brazil). 

I~OTANICAL s~xo~~nrs.-Senipa caruto H. B. K., 

G. antericana var. camcto (H. B. R.) Schum.

243. Jngua, genipa 


244, Palo de cucubano, "greenheart," roughleaf 


velvetseed Guettarda scabra (L.) Vent. 

This common small tree with very rough leaves Cuba to Trinidad and Tobago, Margarita (Veneis 

recognized by: (1) o posite, small, elliptic or zuela), nnd other islands off coast of Venezuela. 

ovate leaves which are t f i~ck and stiff, with edges Also recorded long ago from Jamaica. 

turned under, very rough on upper surface, and OTIIER COJTB~ON ~ ~~~m.-palo de 

finely hairy with very prominent raised network suolt~ (Puerto Rico) ; "greenheart" 

of smnll veins on lower surface ; (2) narrow hairy, lands) ; carnpacho, chichnrrcin de 

~vllite to bmn-11 flowers s/ -1 inch long, tubular and roughleaf velvetseed, rough 

6-8-lobed, several crowbod together at end of a States) ; rough velvetseed velvet-berry (Bahalateral 

stalk; and (3) rounded, red, velvety hairy, ~nt~s) ; craw-wood (~arbuda) ; candlewood (Anfleshy 

fruits %-1/2 inch in diameter. 

tigun) ; bois madame, bois noire (St. Lucia) ; ju- 

An everpen smnll tree 10-15 feet or more in niper (Grenada) ; blue copper Tobago) ; bois 

heiglit and to 4 inches in trunk diameter ~ritli mndnme, goynvier bltard (Guade \ oupe) ; candleopen, 

spreading crown, or shrubby. The bnrk is wood, wild pave (St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustagray, 

smooth, and thin, on larger trunks peeling t ius) . 

off in smnll thin flakes l~rid slightly mottled. In- Though called "greenheart" in the Virgin Isner 

bnrk is \vhitish or light brown, almost tnste- lands, this smnll tree is unrelated to the valuable 

less or slightly bitter. The twigs are green and timber greenheart or Demerarn reenlieart (Ocobrown 

hairy when youncr, becoming ray. 

tan roduzei (R. Schomb.) Mez) , o f British Guiana. 

The leaves have petioTes inc f 1 long, hairy Five related species of trees all have the leaves 

when young, nand a pair of nitrrow, pointed, hairy slnooth above. The first 3 below have flowers 

scales (stipules) K, inch long at the base. Blades trbout :% inch long, and the last 2 have smaller 

nre 1-31,$ ~nches long and 8/84 inches broad, short- flowers less than % inch long. Cucubano (Gzcetpointed 

and n-it11 minute sllnrp point at apex, tar& laevi* Urban), known only from mountain 

rounded or slightly lieart-shaped at base. The forests of western Puerto Rico, has attractive useupper 

surface IS een, roug11 hairy (sometimes ful wood described in "Puerto Rican IVoods" and 

nearly smootl~), s&l~tly shiny, :~nd with veins a nvnilnblo in small sizes. It has broadly ovate to 

little sunken, and the lower surface is paler. elliptic leaves 1%-5 inches Ion slightly thick- 

Usual1 several or ti few frngrant flowers, hairy ened, hairless except for minute f' airs on veins bet~nd 

stnl E less, are borne on a headlike cluster neath, and petioles hairless or minutely hairy. 

(cyme) at the end of nn erect slender 1lai flower Gz~ettnrda ovalifolk Urbnn, of central and weststalk 

x-3 inches long. The short tubxr bnso ern Puerto Rico, mostly in mountains, and also 

(Iiypa~~thium) and irrepalnrly %lobed calyx tube Hispaniola, hns broadly ovate to elliptic leaves 

together are nearly s/lo inch long; the corolla has 24y2 inches long, thin, upper surface nearly 'hairti 

llnrrolr tube t~bout % inc11 lolip tuld 6-8 spread- less rind with veins in prominent network, lower 

ing lobes % inch across, trllite (sometimes pink- surfnco hairy on veins, and petioles hairy. 

ish) but turning to bro\rn; stamens as many as Guettarda ktugii Urban, of coastal thickets of 

tlle corolln lobes, inserted r111nost stalkless near soutli~restern Puerto Rico and also Bahamas, has 

mouth of tube; and pistil co~isists of inferior orary ovate to elliptic leaves ls4 inches lon thick and 

11-it11 usnnlly 4-6 cells, sle~~cler style, and rounded leathery, halrless above, the lower sur ?' ace densely 

stigma. Fruits (drupcs) tire broader than long, liniry nnd with prominent network of veins. 

\\.it11 n large stone contnining s few seeds. Flower- Guettarda pnrviflora. Vahl is found in souther11 

ing and fruiting irregulnrly througll the year. 1'11e1.to Rico, TTieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. 

Tlie sr~pn-ood is light brown nnd hard. A spe- John, Tortola, and Virgin Gordn, and Lesser Ancific 

gravity of about 0.8 has 1)een recorded. Used t.illes south to northern South America. It has 

only for st* ,I k es and fuel. 

s~iiall oblong to elliptic leaves inches long, 

C ommon in open :weas, clenrings, t~nd thickets thin, sliiny above, and hairless or nearly so bein 

the constnl, moist limcstonc., and lower moun- nenth. 

twin regions of Puerto R~co. Also in Vieques, St. 

Vroix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin 

Guettatda elJiptica Sm. grows mostly in coastal 

Gorda. 

thickets of southern and eastern Puerto Rim, St. 

PV~LIC FORESTS.-Cnmbalnche, Gunjntaca, Biari- Thomas, bfuertos, Desecheo, and Mona, \rest to 

cno, Rio Abajo, Susiia, Yep. 

Florida, where known as Everglades dropseed; 

JIc XICIPALITIES WIIERE FSPECI,\LLI- COMXON.- t~lso in hiexico and TTenezuela. It has small ellip- 

64 74. 

tic leaves %-23/p inches long, thin, dull and nearly 

IZ.\sak:.-Southern Floricln including Florida litiirless above, and beneath wit11 fine, pressed, 

Keys and through 7Vest Indies from Bahamas and silky hairs.

244. Palo de cucubano, "greenheart," roughleaf velvetseed 

Natural size. 

Guettarda seabra (L.) Vent 

5 15


245. Cafeillo lxora ferrea (Jacq.) Benth. 

Small tree or shrub characterized by : (1) twigs 

with prominent swollen nodes; (2) op osite nar- 

rowly elliptic leaves long- ointed at kth ends, 

with paired pointed scales rslipules) at base; (a) 

flowers $$ inch long with veiy narrow reddish or 

ink tube and 4 or 5 white lobes, nearly stalkless in 

item1 clusters scattered alon the larger twigs to 

4/q inch in diameter mostly ack of leaves; and 

4) rounded red or pink berries about % inch in 

d iameter. 

An evergreen spreading shrub or small tree to 20 

feet high and 3 inches or more in trunk diameter, 

hairless throughout. The dark brown bark is 

smoothish, slightly fissured, or scaly. Inner bark 

is light brown or pilikish and tasteless. Twigs are 

,oreen, turning brown, with paired pointed scales 

(stipules) 4$+ inch long at nodes. 

Green petioles 5-?,$ inch long support the blades 

which are 3-734 inches long and 1-8 inches broad, 

slightly thickened, the upper surface pen or dark 

1 peen and slightly shiny, beneath light p n . 

I 

I Flower clusters (co mbs) are composed of a 

I few fragmnt flo~vers. %he tubular base (hypan- 

I thium) about '/la inch long bettrs n short red calyx 

tube with 4 indistinct wavy teeth; the corolla has 

a very narrow reddish or pink tube ?+-% inch long 

and %q inch in diameter and 4 or 5 broad, widely 

spreading, white lobes inch across; there are 4 

or 5 stamens at open end of tube; and the pistil 

F, 

consists of inferior 2-celled ovary with slender 

style and 2-lobed stipa. 

The rounded berries are greenish or yellowish, 

t.urning to red or pink, fleshy, and contain 2 dark 

brown seeds 7i6 inch long. In flower and fruit at 

different times during the gear. 

The wood with light brown sapwood is hard, 

heavy, strong, and tough. Reported as used elsewllere 

for fence osts and in carpentry, but utilization 

in Puerto &co is limited to fuelwood by small 

size of the trees. 

Common in understory of forests in the moist 

limestone and lower mountain re 'ons in Puerto 

Rico. Also in St. Thomas, St. Jo l? n, und Tortola. 

PUBLIC rnm.8~8.-Guajataca, Luquillo, Rio 

Abajo. 

RANDE.---CI~~~, Hispaniola., Puerto Rico and 

Virgin Islands, and through Lesser Antilles from 

St. ICitts and Alorltserrat to Grenada and Barbados. 

Also reported from Venezuels and British 

Guiana. 

OTHER COMMON NAMES.-P~~O de dajao, palo de 

hierro (Puerto Rico) ; dajao (Dominican Republic) 

; cnf6 cimnrlbn, cafetillo .(Cuba) ; black 

candlewood (Bfontserrat) ; bois crapuud (Dominia) 

; wild-coffee (St. Vincent) ; cafe mamn 

(Grenada) ; cafe grand bois (St. Lucia) ; bois de 

fer rouge, bois jnurie (Guadeloupe, Mnrtinique) .

245. cafenlo 


Imora jmea (Jacq.) Benth. 

517


246. Morinda, painkiller Morinda citrifofia L* 

This small tree planted for ornament and naturlized 

on sandy coasts is characterized by: (1) 

large, thin, elliptic, dark green leaves with undulating 

surfaces, short-pointed at both ends, opposite 

on stout 4-angled twigs; (2) twigs with 

aired rounded scales (sti ules) about % inch 

kng at bnse of each pair of P eaves, the scales leaving 

ring scars upon shedding; (3) white tubul~r 

4-6-lobed flowers more than 1/2 inch lon , many m 

a lateral ball-like cluster on a short stalf; and (4) 

whitish, green-tinged, elliptic multiple fruits 3-4 

inches long and about '2% inches across, slightly 

resembling pineapples, fleshy and malodorous. 

Small evergreen tree to 20 feet high and 5 inches 

in trunk diameter, or shrubby. Twigs hairless, 

light green. The bark is cay or brown, smoothish 

and slightly warty or scaly, and soft. Inner bark 

is light brown and tnst,eless or slightly irritating. 

The leaves have stout green petioles about v2 

inch long. Leaf blades are about 5-11 inches long 

and 2y2-61/2 inches broad, not toothed on edges, 

slightly shiny dark pen on upper surface, and 

the lower surface light green with small tufts of 

hairs in vein angles along midrib. 

Flower clusters (leads) about 1 inch across are 

mostly single on stalks about 1/2 inch long and are 

composed of many crowded flowers more than v2 

inch long rising from a light green rounded or 

elliptic mass. The light green base (hypanthium) 

more than y8 inch long bears a very short light 

pen calyx rim; the white corolla nearly lh inch 

long is tubular with 4-6 lobes 3/s-4/2 inch across; 

4-6 stamens ?is inch long are inserted near mouth 

of corolla tube; and the pistil is composed of inferior 

2-celled ovary with slender light green style 

nnd 2-lobed stigma. 

From the flower head develops a multiple fruit 

(syncarp), a compact, soft, 'uicy mass of fruits 

from individual flowers. 4 hese fruits, which 

have n cheeselike odor, re ortedly are edible. 

The surface is irregular an# \\-arty, marked by 

the 4-6-sided individual fruits y2 inch across, 

each 2-celled and 2-seeded. The seeds are more 

than I/g inch long. Flowering nnd fruiting near- 

ellow brown and soft. 

een obtained from the bark. 

eaten also by hogs. 

The English name painkiller refers to use of 

the leaves in the Vir in Islands, Trinidad, British 

Guinnn, and proba g ly elsewhere in alleviating 

pain. Accord~ng to different directions, n hot 

leaf (heated over a fire) or wilted leaf is pressed 

ngninst the body on painful swellings, n 

of the leaves is applied to mounds or to t poultice lo llead 

for Iiettdaches, or crushed leaves in lard or 

camphor oil are ut on the face for treatment of 

neuralgia or hen cl' colds. 

Sometimes gro\\.n for ornament in Puerto 

Rico. Also plnnted or naturalized along sandy 

coasts of Puerto Rico, Vieques, St. Croix, St. 


R.\N~E.-Native of India, Malaya including 

East Indies, and tropical Australia and introduced 

into other tropical areas. Cultivated and 

in part naturalized through West Indies from 

Cubn nnd Jamaica to Barbados and Trinidad. 

Rarely lanted t1t Key West, Florida, and grown 

also in E uianas. 

OTIIER co~raro~ N~DfE~.-gardenia hedionda, 

noni (Puerto Rico) ; nigua, piiia de puefto 

(Dominican Re ublic) ; Indian-mulberr [* "!"; / 

killer (Englishf; douleur, f mmagier Haiti) 

rhubarbe cami%e (Guadeloupe) .

246. Morindn. painkiller 

687-021 0-4 

Natural slze.


247. Tintillo, box-briar RMdia aculeata L. 

A spiny shrub or small tree mostly of dry areas, Clobed corolla. A berry contains several rounded 

characterized by : (1) long, slender, stiff, horizon- seeds in blue or black pul Flowering and with 

tal brnnches with 4 rows of many aired short lat- green fruits nearly throuk 

eral twigs 94-2 inches long, usun 7 

R' the year. 

ly ending in a The light brown wood-ts hard and heavy. Fishpair 

of widely forking ray s ines x-s/g inch long; ing rods are made from the rigid stems in the 

(2) leaves varying in s f ape f rom elliptic to nearly Virgin Islands. 

sound to spoon-sha ed (spatulate), inchw The names irbol de navidad and Christmas-tree 

long and 1/-1 incR broad, almost stalkless, op- refer to use of the tree as a Christmas decoration. 

pos~te or clustered; (3) frapnt white flowers r/4 h blue dye has been obtained from the berries, 

Inch long, with short tube and 5 broad flat corolla the source of the common names tintillo and inklobes 

8/8 inch across, single and stalkless on twiga; berry. It is re orted that the fruits can be eaten 

and (4) rounded berries %-1/2 inch in diameter and also have g een employed elsewhere in home 

with calyx remaining at apex, green turning to remedies. 

white at maturity. 

Thickets and open forests, mostly in dry areas, 

Deciduous shrub 5-10 feet high or small tree in the coastal, limestone, and lower mountain reto 

20 feet tall and 3 inches in trunk diameter, with ions of Puerto Rico. Also in Mona, Icacos, 

erect axis. and thin crown of many nearly hori- &ieques, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, 

zontal splny branches. The bark is p y and and Anegada. 

snloothish or slightly fissured. Inner bark is light P~LIO FORESTS.-A uirre, Cambalache, Carite, 

brown, slightly gritty and tasteless. 

Gunjataca, Guinica., Ef usGn. 

The leaves are opposite or often clustered 4 to- Ra~a~.--Southern Florida including Florida 

gether at end of a short lateral twig, almost stalk- Ke s, Bermuda, and throughout West Indies from 

less or with short petioles to 1/8 Inch long and Ba K mas and Cuba to Grenada and Barbados, 

brown scales (stipules) '/le inch long at base. Trinidad and Tobago, and Bonaire and Curapo. 

Blades are short-pointed at bnse, rounded at apex, Also in Mexico, Central America,, Colombia, and 

not toothed on edges, a little thickened, shiny Venezuela. 

green above, and beneath light green and slightly OTHER COMMON NABIEB.--BSC~~~~~~, camblbn, 

shin . 

solitary flowers appearing laternl along the 

TK~ 

twigs actually are on very short spur or lateral 

twigs about '/le inch long. The light green tubu- 

lar base (hypanthium) about '/lo inch long en- 

closes the inferior 2-celled ovary and bears a light, 

pen calyx tube about '/le inch long with 5 nar- 

row calyx lobes inch long. The white corolla 

consists of a broad tube more than 4/s inch long 

. and 5 elliptic lobes 9ie inch long, hairy at throat. 

At apex of tube nre 6 stalkless light brown sb- 

mens about '/le inch long, alternating with the 

lobes. The pistil with inferior ovary has a whitish 

style nearly r/4 inch long and bonder, 2-lobed 

stigma. Flowers sometimes are small and with 

BOTANICAL sa~o~~ars.-Randia mitie L., R. 

aculeata var. mitis (L.) Griseb.

247. Tintillo, box-briar 

Natural size. 

Randia aouleata L. 

521


248. Juan tomb Rondeletia portoricenais Krug & Urban 

A smnll to medium-sized tree or shrub of moun- bnck, minutely hniry ; 5 stamens are inserted withtain 

forests, confined to Puerto Hico, charncter- in corolln tube; and the pistil is composed of inized 

by: (1) opposite elli tic lenves 3-7 inches ferior 2-celled ovary wit,l~ hairy style and 2-lobed 

low nnd I$$-? ~nches bronksllort-pointed nt both 

en&, with midrib pink or red on under side tuld StiEi cnpsules are minutely hniry, splittin open 

so~uetimes also on up )er side; (2) 2 broad n~lcl into 4 nrts, contain in^ many tiny wingefseeds 

pointed preen wnles {stiPules) indl long so in$ long. Flower~ng in summer, and fruit 

at, the bnse of each air of leaves; (3) tubulnr matur~ng in all. 

white flowers 1h inch I' ong and with 5 lobes 5.g inch Sapwood is light brown and hard. This tree is 

ncross, soveral to mnl1y in Intern1 clusters; nnd ordinarily small nnd not utilized. 

(4) grny or \)roan seed capsules inch long, Widely distributed usunlly in the understory of 

nenrly n)und but broader than long. 

mountain forests of Puerto Rico. 

Generally n snlnll tree 15-25 feet hi h and to O PUBLIO Foms~~.-I~~q~illo, Maricao, Tor0 

inches in trunk diameter, sometin~es f nrger, or n Negro. 

shrub, evergreen. The gray bnrk is smoothish Rt\~a~.-Puerto Rico only. 

llnd slightly fiwu~rd. Inner bnrk is inkish out- Two related s ecies are shrubs or small trees. 

sido nncl light brown within, slightly \ itter. The Cordohncillo [~ondeletia incnnia (Spreng.) 

twigs are grny nntl with rings nt nodes, greenish ICrug & Urban) is n-idely distributed in Puerto 

and ~llinl~tely htliry when young, tile nodes pnrtly Rico and also in Muertos but not known elsen~here. 

cl-o\vtled nlld partly clistnnt. 

It has o posite, linear to oblong or elliptic leaves 

Petioles are %-I inch long, pen or tinged with 1/24 inc !' les Ion and l/ 2 inches wide and laternl / 

pink, ~ninutely hniry. Leaf blades nre slightly clusters of 5 or fewer tuxulnr flowers about 1,4 inch 

thicke~led and slightly fleshy, with edges turnecl long with 4-lobed corolla yellow or white, changing 

uncler, peen nnd hnirless on upper surface, the to urple. 

lower snrfnc-e paler nnd with prolnlnent nlinutely $delctiaai20~a Sn: is found in constal thickets 

hniry midrib. 

of eastern nn southeastern Puerto Rico St. Croix, 

Flower c111st~ls (pnnicles) are bra~~ol~ecl, 1-21h St. Thomas, St. John, Tortoln, Virgin hordn, nnd 

inches long, \vitli severnl to many fl-ngnlnt flowers. Montserrnt. It has the twigs and under surfaces 

Tile light green, fi~lely hniry tu1)nlnr base (hy- of laves densely soft hniry ; opposite elliptic lenves 

~)nntl~inm) more tlrnn lJlo inch long bears 5 calyx 1Yz4 inches long; and laternl clusters of usually 

twth netlrlg as long; the tubular wl~ite corolln 3/ 3 tubular flowers about y8 inch long with 4-lobed 

inch long hns 5 widely spreading lobes turn2 corolla.

248. Juan tomb 

Natural size. 

Rondeletfu portoricensk, Krug & Urba


249. Aqail6n Terebraria resinosa (Vahl) Sprague 

? 

Easily mgnized by the stic or resinous buds, 

oung twigs, young leaves, and ower clusteq the 

guds wlth a whitish mnss of resin about W Inch 

across and 2-pointed. Other distinguishing characters 

are: (1) a dense symmetrical and conical 

light pen crown; (2) the opposite, narrowly elliptic 

or lance-shaped leaves, shin green on upper 

surface as if varnished, especial 9 y when young; 

(3) small tubular white flowers about % inch long, 

5- or Globed, stalkless alon 2 horizontal forks of 

a slender lateral axis; and 74) the elliptic, brown 

or black, fleshy fruits so inch long. 

A small- or medium-sized evergreen tree 20-30 

feet high and to 1 foot in trunk diameter, or 

shrubby. The gmy bark is smoothish, flaky and 

scaly, on Iar trunks becomin mottled as thin 

flakes peel ofge 1nner bark is pin I and bitter. The 

twigs are green when youn turning light brown 

or gray, with hairy ringe i' scales (st~pules) 1/8 

inch high at nodes. 

Petioles are 4/8+$ inch long. Leaf blades are 

2.41/2 inches Ion md S/-1V8 inches broad, mostly 

ointed at k 0th ends, the ed turned under, 

slig lonu t y thickened and leathery, P airlass, paler beneath. 

Flower clusters (cymes have a slender green 

stalk 1%-2 inches long wit I, 2 horizontal forks x- 

inch long bearing several crowded stalkless 

flowvers all on the upper side. Flowers about S/s 

inch long are composed of a short green tubular 

base (hypanthium) and cu shaped hairy calyx, 

together more than H6 inc\-long; white corolla 

6/lo inch long, with narrow tube and 4 or 5 lobes 

94, inch across, minutely hairy 4 or 5 stamens in- 

serted on the corolla tube; an6 pistil of inferior 

4- or 5-celled ovary, short style, and 4- or 5-lobed 

sti&:'fruit (drupe) has a 4- or 6-celled stone 

and 5 or fewer brown seeds more than 1/ inch long. 

Flowering in spring and summer and maturing 

fruits from summer to winter. 

The wood is hard and light brown, the sapwood 

with specific gravity 0.8. Used only as a post, 

Wood susceptible to attack by dry-wood termites. 

The resinous buds can be chewed but are tasteless. 

In forests and openings in the moist limestone 

region nnd ascending into the lower mountain 

forests on the north side of the Cordillera in western 


PUBLIC FORESTS.-Cambnlache, Guajatnca, Maricao, 

Rlo Abajo, Susfia, Vega. 

MUNICIPALITIES 


14,24,31,34,45,60. 

RANGE.-Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto 

Rico, Lesser Antilles to St. Vincent, and Trinidad. 

BOTANICAL 8~~0~1x8. 

- Laugeria re8z*?wsa 

Vnlll, L. demiflora (Griseb.) Hitchc., Antirhea 

~esinoea (Vahl) Cook & Collins, Stenostomum 

densiflorum Griseb.

Natural site. 

Terebrario reelnoea (Vahl) Spmgue 

525

COMPOSITE FAMILY (COMPOSITAE) 

250. Carruzo Clibadlum erosum (Sw.) DC. 

Shrub or small tree with bristly hairy twigs Probably flowering and fruiting nearly through 

easily recognized by the op osite long-stnllted the year. 

leaves wit11 thin broadly ovate 1 lades long-pointed The whitish wood is soft, and there is a large 

at both ends, the edges irregularly and doubl white pith. 

toothed with long and short teeth, green and roug g In openings, cutover areas, and roadsides in forabove, 

and gray green and soft hair be- ests of the lower and u per mountain regions of 

hairK neat . Other characters nre: (1) bristly { airy Puerto Rico including Rarf forest of the peaks. 

stout pen to brown twigs; and (2) large terminal It is a light-requiring species mainly of disturbed 

clusters with numerous greenish and white tireas. Also recorded from St. Thomas more than 

rounded flower heads about 4 ~nch long and n century ago but not found there since. 

broad, each with many crow 2' ed tubular white I'UI~LIC ~oa~m-s.-Carite, Luquillo, Toro Ne o. 

flowers. 

RAN~E.-Puerto Rico and in the Lesser Ant1 T' les 

A widely spreading and much brnnched ever- on Sabn, St. ICitts, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dogreen 

shrub or small tree 10-20 feet or more in minica, Mnrtinique, and St. Vincent. 

height and to 3 inches or more in trunk diameter. OTIXER COJIMON ~~x~~.--cachimbo, tuchima 

The bark is p y and smoothish to slightly fissured. (Puerto Rico) ; bois Qnivrant (Guadeloupe) . 

Inner bark 1s yellowish nnd slightly bitter. The The composite family (Compositne)., to which 

twig3 are ringed at the nodes by 2 &lobed light. this small tree belongs, is easily reco 

brown leaf scars. 

flowe~s crowded together in heads. rued 

That appears by the 

Petioles are 1 4 inches long, ,finely hniry, light to be a single flower is found upon inspection. to 

peen or purplish tinged, stout, at base broad and contain man smnll flowers, some frequently with 

slightly 3-lobed. Blades are 3-8 inches long and strap-shape d corolla x.esomblin a sin le petal and 

2-6 inches wide. 

others in the center or disk wit f tubu f ar corolla of 

The much branched clusters (corymbs) of nu- a different color. The seedlike fruits (akenes) 

merous flower heads are 4-6 inches broad and hare ~lsually bear long hairs or scales at apex. The 

n slightly bitter odor. On the outside of ench family is a very large one containing numerous 

flower head are a few overlapping, hairy mnr- species of herbs and some shrubs and in the tropics 

gined, greenish scales about s/16 inch long with n few species of small trees. 

whitish points, enclosing mnny narrow flowers Guerrero (Eupatoriurn portoherne Urban; 

inch long and smaller light green scales. s non m Critonia portoricenais (Urban) Britton 

The marginal flowers are fertile and female, con- dwiiion) is the 0.1 other species of this tarnil 

sisting of elliptic, flattened, green inferior ovary reaching tree size in K uerto Rico. This is a sma 9 1 

bearing tubular white corolla minutely 5-toothed tree or shrub 10-20 feet high, known only from 

at apex and the protruding 2-forked white style. northern, centrnl, and western Puerto Rim and 

The other flo~vers are sterile and male, consist~ng from Vieques but sometimes planted for its fraof 

rudimentary pistil of narrow inferior ovary grnnt foliage. It has opposite elliptic leaves with 

bearing unbranched st le and the tubular white petioles less than % Inch long and blndes 3-6 

corolla, which is 6-toot l ed at apex and which has ~nches long arid 1-2 inches wide, thin, toothed on 

inside the tube 6 stamens united by the narrow edges, hairless, with many gland dots and lines, 

dark brown anthers. 

and f12pnt. The large terminal flower clusters 

Several black seedlike fruits (akenes) about YB caontain mnny stalkless heads, ench with about 5 

inch long, elliptic and flattened, nre produced tubular white flowers. The seedlike fruits have 

within the flower head, which also turns blackish. long hairs at apex.

Twe-thlrds natural size. 

Cllbadium eroeum (Sw.) DC. 

527

INDEX OF COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES 

The preferred common names adopted in headings for the 250 tree species illustrated and the page 

numbers where these descriptions begin are in lleavy (boldface) type. Other common names appear 

in ordinary (roman) type. Common names in the English Inngua e are indexed under the Iast word. 

Accepted scientific names of the tree species illustrated are s own in heavy (boldface) italics, 

and the pnge numbers where these descriptions.hgin are in heavy (boldface) type. Other scientific 

names, including synonyms, are in ihlics. Family names, common and scientific, are shown in capitals. 

abacate, 128 

abacateiro, 128 

abey, 160. 240 

abey hembra, 160, 240 

abeyuelo, 816 

abricb do Parfi, 354 

abricot, 354 

abricot de Saint-Domingue, 354 

abricot dw Antilles, 354 

abricot pays, 354 

abricoteiro, 354 

, abricotier, 354 

abrlcotier d'Am6rique. 354 

abricotier maudit, 352 

acacia, 144, 148, 150, 156, 170, 180 

acacia amarilla, 146, 148 

acacia, Anegnda, 144 

Acacia ancgadensiu, 144 

acacia de ngilijote, 180 

acacia de Catarina. 168 

acacia de 10s masones, 180 

Acacia farneelana, 142 

Acacia macracarrtha. 144 

Acacia macracartthoides, 144 

Acacia muricata. 144 

Acacia nilotica, 144 

acacia nudosa, 144 

acacia odorant, 144 

acacia palida, 156 

acacia rosada, 172 

acacia, spineless, 144 

acacia, steel, 144 

Acacia sun~a, 144 

acacia, sweet, 142, 144 

Acacia tortuosa, 144 

acacia, twisted, 144 

acajou, 244, 250. 288 

acajou ZL muebles, 244 

acnjou A pomme, 288 

acajou amer, 244 

acajou An16rique, 250 

acajou de Saint Domlnye, 252 

acajou du Honduras, 250 

acajou pays, 244 

acajou rouge. 244 

acajou senti, 244 

acajG, 244 

acanh, 444 

aceite de maria. 350 

aceitillo, 13,228 

aceituna blanca, 456 

aceltuna cimnmna, 456 

aceitunillo, 110, 456 

a m , 320 

achetillo, 118 

achiot, 358 

achiote, 358 

achiotillo, 262, 264 

achote, 358 

Achrau emarginata, 446 

Aobras zapota, 446 

acoma, 454 

acoma batard, 454 

acoma blanc, 372 

acoma franc, 372, 464 

acama betre, 372 

acomat, 372, 454 

acomat bfttard, 282, 442 

acomat dte-lette, 466 

acomdt rouge, 442 

Acrocomia aculeata, 34 

Acrocomh media, 13, 34 

acroeomia, Puerto Rico, 34 

Acrodiclidif~tn jatnaiccnse, 114 

Acrodiclidbtn salicifotlun~, 112 

ilcrodiclidiun& triandrunt, 114 

acuapar. 278 

acurutG, 200 

Adenanthera pauonina, 142, 144 

advocaat, 128 

afta colorada, 58 

agati, 208 

Agati grandiflora, 208 

agati sesbania, 208 

aguacate, 128 

nguacate clmarrdn, 110 

aguacatillo, 110, 116, 130, 264, 314 

aguano, 250 

ayedita, 234 

agiiijote, 160 

ahuejote, 194 

ahuijote, 194 

AILANTHUS FAMILY, 234 

Aiphunes acanthophylla, 13, 34, 36 

aisegerina, 58 

ait6, 272 

ajo, 468 

ajuela ciruelo, 208 

ajunado, 190 

akira, 392 

Aklen~a petfolare, 270 

dlamo, 330 

Blamo blnnco, 330 

dlamo extranjero, 72 

alas de angel, 170 

albarillo, 508 

albizia, 148 

alblzla, lebbek, 148 

Albizia lebbek, 15, 142, 146 

Albizia procera, 142, 148 

albizia, tall, 148, 150 

Alibimia, see Alblzia, 146 

albopdln, 62 

Alchornea latifolia, 14, 262, 284 

Alchorneopais portoricensie, 14, 262, 

264 

ciba, 94 

cornoque, 394 

elaila, 246,248,480 

eli, 248,460,462 

eli blanco, 460 

elf cimarrbn, 460 

eli rojo, 462 

filer, 228 

garrobo, 164,168,178,180 

garrobo de la8 Antillas, 180 

gnrrobo de olor, 148 

garrobo del Brasil, 168 

garrobo del pais, 164 

goddn, 336 

godbn de monte, 330 

godonclllo, 326 

7, 

alilaila, 248 

alligator-pear, 128 

allspice, 414 

almticigo, 236 

alm4dgo blnnco, 236 

almdcigo colorado, 236 

almendra, 15, 394 

almendrillo, 254,256,442 

almendro, 190,254,394 

almendro americano, 394 

nlmendro cimarrbn, 190 

nlmendro de la India, 394 

almendro de rlo, 190 

almendro macho, 180 

aimendro montds, 190 

almendro real, 190 

almendro silvestre, 442 

almendrbn, 290,394,442 

almond, 394 

Aleophila, 28 

amacey, 240 

amancayo, 462 

amanda. 394 

amandelboom, 394 

nmandier, 394 

amandier de Cayenne, 394 

amandier des Indes, 394 

amandler-pays, 394 

amandier tropical, 394 

amapola, 198,328,462,492 

amarillo, 386 

nmarillo boj, 386 

amnsisa. 104,196 

amate, 68 

amatillo, 432 

ambarella, 292 

ambay-guazfi, 428 

amendoeira, 394 

Amomts caryophyllata, 414 

Amomis carvophullata vnr. g?d8*, 414 

Amomis grisea, 414 

amor plat6nico,148 

amortimado, 282 

Amyrfs balsamifera, 216 

Amyris elemifera, 1% 216 

amyria, sea, 216 . 

amyria-wood, 216 

anacagiiita, 340 

anachahuita, 340 

ANACARDIACEAE, 286 

Anacardium occldentale, 286 

anaconda. 470 

Artamonlts fragrana, 400 

anatto, 358 

. -- 

ANATTO FAMILY. 358 

anatto-tree, 358 

anauca, 198 

anauca immortelle, 196 

anauco, 194 

Andira inemis, 13, 14, 188 

Andfra lamafcenaie. 190 

aneslta; 248 

angela, 134 

angelica-tree, 426 

angelim, 190 

angelim da varzea, 100

nngelim morcequeira, 100 

angelin, 100 

angelin, cabbage, 188,190 

nngelln palmlste, 190 

angouchl des sables, 386 

angullla, 400 

nnielllo, 60 

annatto. 858 

ANNONA FAMILY, 98 

Annm glabra, 98 

Annona montana, 98 

Annona muricata. 08. 100 

Annona reticulata, 98, 102 

Annona squamo8a. 98, 104 

ANNONACEAE, 98 

an6n,102, 104 

an6n de azdcar, 104 

an6n dom&tico, 104 

an6n pelbn, 102 

Anona, see Anma, 98 

anonn, 102 

anona colornda. 102 

anona de Guatemala. 104 

anonn de redecilla, 102 

anonlllo, 04,100,428 

Antirhea acutata, 504 

Antirhea coriacea, 604 

Antirhea kcida, 504 

Antirhea obtucrifolia, 504 

Antirhea portoricenu&, 606 

Antfrhea reeinoua, 524 

dntlrheo uintenisii, 604 

dntfrrlroea, see Antirhea, 504 

anttree, 86 

anttree, long-john, 88 

apamate. 500 

aperta do. 50 

apes-earring. 162 

APOUYNACEAE. 462 

apomo pannco, 380 

appelrooe, 402 

apple-bush, 104 

apra, 438 

nprlcot, 128.354 

aque del chiquito, 410 

aquikn, 524 

arnbo, 210 

arnbo cnrbonero, 210 

arabo jiba, 210 

nrabo renl.2l0 

ARALIACEAE, 426 

nralie, 852 

arnlle grande feuille, 352 

nraealoe, 612 

nratlcum ape, 08 

araefi-puitb, 416 

4-1 de ajo. 488 

drbol de fuego, 176 

drbol de nnvidad, 520 

Brbol de pan, 62 

drbol de sal, 478 

drbol de vloleta, 280 

drbol del fuego, 176 

drbol del hule, 64 

nrbre h gralnea rt5glisse. 146 

arbre B pain, 62 

nrbre h pluie. 166 

arbre h r&llsse, 146 

arbre an diable, 278 

arbre de Snint-Jean, 428 

nrbre v8ritable. 62 

Armla ~lauoiflom. 430 

Ardiela buadolup&iu. 430 

Ardlsia obouata 430 

-, --- 

areelro, 278 

arenlllo, 138,190 

aroma, 142, 144, 148 

aroma amarilla, 144 

530 

aroma americana, 168 

aroma blanca, 156 

aroma boba. 156 

aroma francesa, 148 

aroma mansa. 156 

ammo, 144,168 

arrnljhn, 412 

armyfin, 400.432 

arraydn bobo, 432 

arreteboeuf, 180 

nrriero, 428 

arroyo, 314 

Artocarpue altiU.9, 60 

Artocarpus comn~ttnfr, 62 

Artocarpus heterophyllucr, 62 

Brtocarpuo incieue, 62 

drtocarpua integer, 62 

Artocarpue integrifoliuo, 62 

asnncil, 278 

assncfi-rnna, 194 

deterandra'grandlfol(o, 280 

nstromella. 382 

nsubillo, 336 

nta, 104 

atadljo, 58 

atnibn rosada, 462 

atnplo, 246 

ntnubn, 246 

nteje cImam6n, 472,474 

nteje de costa, 408,472 

nteje macho. 474 

ntejillo, 472 

nth, 358 

Australian-pine, 48 

nusli. 414 

sasulm, 12,444 

nvatl-timbati, 370 

Aviccnnia germinano, 478 

Auicennia nitida, 12, 476 

nvisplllo, 116,282,458 

avocado, 128 

avocado, false, 122 

avocado-pear, 128 

avocat, 128 

nvocntier, 128 

awacntl, 128 

nxemaster, 820 

mydn, 230 

aydn nmarilla, 230 

nzafrdn, 52 

azeitonn brava, 482 

azeitona do matto, 432 

azufnlto, 322 

mznlejo, 282 

bacona. 264 

Bactrls acanthophylla, 86 

bdculo. 208 

badnna. 428 

bddula, 430,432,484 

bala, 198 

balato, 444 

balatn chien, 430 

balata frnnc, 444 

bnlata rouge, 444 

bnlate, 444 

bnlo, 198 

balsa, 66, 934, 336 

balsa-wood, 836 

balsam-tree, 238, 352 

bhlsamo. 480 

balso, 336 

bnmboe, 34 

bamboo. 32. 34 

bamboo, common, 32, 84 

bamboo, feathery. 84 

Bambou, see ~ambuea, 84 

bambon, 34 

bambli, 32,M 

bambua, 34 

bambulo, 206 

Bambucra udgarle, 32 * 

banyan. wlld, 70 

barba de caballero, 148 

barba de jolote, 160 

barba de le6n, 166 

barba dl junkuman, 148 

barba jolote, 160 

barbasco, 362 

barin, 350 

bariaco, 254, 520 

barillo, 350 

bark-tree, Caribee, 508 

bark, whitewood, 362 

barka-locust 256 

barredera, 370 

barrehorno, 92 

barril, 298 

bastard-cedar, 840 

batseed, 190 

bauhinia, 168, 170 

bauhinia, Buddhlet, 170 

bauhlnio, butterfly, 168, 170 

Baulbinfa kappleri, 170 

Bauhinia monandra, 168 

bauhinla, pink, 170 

Bauhinfa variegata, 170 

baujinia, 170 

bay boom, 414 

bay-cedar, 840 

baycedar, wild, 68 

bayahon, 168 

bayahonda, 18, 168, 168 

bayarone, 168 

bayberry-tree, 414 

bayberry, West Indian. 414 

bayito, 458 

bayleaf, 414 

bay-rum-tree, 414 

bnyda. 230 

bead-tree, 248 

beadtree. sandal. 146 

beauty-leaf, ~razil, 850 

bebe, 206 

bebb hoedoe, 206 

beePwood. 48, 92 

beefwood. Australian. 48 

beefwood; horsetall, 48 - 

beera. 214 

beetwood. 298 

Beilschmiedia ~enduk. . 14. . 110 

bejuco inglb, i82 

bella, 96 

bellota. 340 

ben, 134 

ben oleifere, 184 

benboom, 184 

benzolivier, 184 

Bequia-plum, 204 

berraco, 68, 186 

Beurerfu, see Bourreria, 466 

bi, 512 

bien vestida, 108 

bietahoedoe, 872 

bid boesie. 428 

BIGNONIA FABfILY, 490 

BIQNONZACEAE. 400 

bUa, 858 

bljdgnara, 816 

oijote, 118 

,IlibiU, 246 

>inomma, 144 

3lrch. 238 

birch-gum, 238 

~irchberry, 412

irdseed, 478 

birljngua, 316 

birlji, 400 

biritnc, 50 

biscultmood, 366 

bitter-ash, 464 

bitterbush, 234, 484 

bitterbush. Florida, 234 

bitters, 316 

Bixa orellana, 358 

BIXACEAE, 358 

black-birch. 412 

black-cedar, 122 

blncksbony, 148 

black-ironwood, 320 

block-mangrove, 476, 478 

hlnck-olive, 388 

blnck-plum, 190 

black-wlllom, 132 

blackbead, 162 

blackbead. catcla~v. 162 

blnckbead-tree. 310 

blackwood, Bombay. 174 

blackwood-bush, 478 

BLADDERSUT FAMILY, 800 

bloodwood, 206,298 

bloodwood, swamp, 206 

blueberry, 456 

bobble, manjn, 290 

bocnre, 104 

boeloebarie, 214 

bohun, 468 

bois. 448 

bols agoutl. 486 

bois arnda, 254 

bois bale, 246 

Imis bleu. 456 

his blanc. 456 

bols bouis, 436 

bols bre. 474 

bols cncfl, 132 

bois cafe. 268 

bole canelle. 362 

bole canon. 08 

bois cnpri bdtard, 466 

bois cnralbe, 502 

i~ois chandelle, 216,508 

bois chantlelle blanc. 216 

hois chique, 112 

bols cochon. 240 

bols coton, 334 

Imis COUC~~. 298 

. , , bois crnpnud. 264,516 

his creole, 412 

bols d'argent. 132 

hols d'Inde, 414 

1101s dlInde Franpis, 414 

1101s d'ornnger, 220 

bola d'orme, 340 

bola d'ortie. 482 

bois de fer, 316,318,320 

boL de fer rouge, 516 

. bole de hetre, 340,372 

bois de l'eau, 52 

bola de liege, 326 

hols cle Rhodes, 468 

bols de rose, 468 

bole de satanier. 302 

bols de sole. 58 

hois diable. 282 

1101s doux, 120 

bols dot= janne. 122 

bois doux nkresse, 110 

bole do- noir. 116 

bob doux piment, 122 

bois du dlable. 278 

bols enirrant, 526 

bole ferblanc. 316 

bols flambeau, 216 

bols flkhe, 510 

tmis fleurs jaunes, 502 

bols fiot, 326,336 

bols fourmi, 112 

bois fragile, 52 

bois gnlle, 158 

bols gli-gli, 386,388 

bols glu, 436 

bols grl-gri, 386,388 

bola gris-gris, 386,388 

bois immortel. 194,106 

bois jaune, 366,516 

bois kakl, 436 

bois lnit femelle, 464 

bois laylay, 474 

bois I0&orce. 158 

his lezard, 486 

his liege, 336 

his lievre, 336 

bois-lolo, 156 

bois mabel, 136 

bois mabt; 316,318 

his madame, 614 

bois mnrbre, 272 

bois margot, 386 

bole mausseux, 308 

bols montagne, 2.34 

bois myrte, 406 

bols nbgresse, 426 

bols noir, 108,132,148,444 

bls noire, 514 

bols noyer, 228,232 

bois ollre, 190 

bois olivier, 386 

his pale, 206 

bois palmiste. 100 

lmh paupit, 472 

his pel6.316 

bols pine. 230 

bois pini, n 6 

bole pistolet, 246 

his plomb, 432 

bols poison, 234 

bols pouNe, 472 

bois pripri, 336 

bols rouge, 78,246 

bois saint, 212 

his savanne, 432 

bois savonette. 308 

bols senegal, 132 

bois senti, 32 

bis slfileur, 138 

his soumis, 468 

Imis tan, 256 

bois tan rouge, 138 

bols trompette. 68 

bols mche. 264 

bols \dolet, 314 

bois violon, 116 

bole. 504 

Bombax pentandrum, &34 

bombilla. 62 

homb6n. 196.360 

bon garyon, 270 

bonga, 334 

hongo. 334 

boniate. 116 

boninto, 122 

boniato laurel. 120 

boonchi strena, 180 

BORAGE FAJIILY. 46U 

RORAOZNACEAE, 400 

boschkasjoe, 288 

boschl;atoen, 380 

boskome, 282 

bospnmja. 68 

bossoea, 232 

bosd. 232 

bosda, 232 

boszuurzak, 08 

botija, 300 

botoncillo, 390 

bototillo, 360 

bototito, 380 

bototo, 360 

botulo, 360 

Borrrreria dotnfngensfe, 486 

Bourreria succulents, 466 

Bourrerfa uucculenta var. caneucene, 

-His 

Bourreria virgota, 466 

box-briar, 520 

Brazilian-rose, 360 

brazilleto, bastard, 138 

brazilletto, wild, 138 

bread-and-cheese, 162 

breadfruit, 60, 62, 404 

breadnut, 62 

brenolli, 134 

brbsillette, 410 

bribri. 152 

brignolle, 400 

brojo, 458 

broodboom, 62 

broomstick, 252 

broomwood, 254 

browngum, 398 

bmcnl, 192,108 

brucapo. 196 

Brwlellia comoc14dlfoU4, 14, 136 ,- 

BRUSELLIA FAMILY. 136 

BRUSELLIACEAD, I& 

bocar, 196 

bucare, 192, 194. 196 

bucare enano, 190 

bucare gigante, 1W 

biicaro, 196 

bucayo, 102 

bucayo ennno, 192 

bucayo gigante, 15, 194 

bucnyo sin espinae, 102 

Bacerau b~icida, 388 . 

Buchenavia capitata, 14, 386 

bficida, 388 

Bueido bueeras, 13, 388 

Ruclda capftata, 386 

bucida, oxhorn, 388 

buckbead. 146 

BUCKTHORN FAMILY, 316 

BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 76 

buen pan, 62 

bullet, 444 

bullet-tree, 388 

bulletmood, 14,444 

bulletwood, whlte, 442 

bullock-heart, 102 

bulltyre, 46 

bully-mastic, 454 

bully-tree, 388,442,444,452 

bully-tree, savannah, 452 

bullymood, 388 

bumatell. 196 

buriogre amarillo, 472 

buriogre de montnSla, 472 

Burma-rosewood, 201 

burro, 132 

burro blanco, 132 

bum mauriclo, 84 

burro prieto, 152 

BURSERA FAMILY, 286

Bursera simaruba, 

HURSERdCEAE: 236 

bustic, 442 

bustic, willow, 442 

butter-pear, 128 

butterfly-flower, 170 

button-mangrove, 390 

huttonbush, 390 

buttonwood, 390 

buttonwood, white, 392 

Byrsonima coriacea, 14, 256 

Bursonimo coriacea var. spicata, 256 

Byrsonima crassifolia, 256, 258 

Bursonima cuncata, 256 

B~rsonima horr~cana, 256 

Byrsoninra lucida, 256 

Bursotrinra ophiticola, 266 

Byreonima spicata, 256 

B~rsonln~rr ~oadstuortlrii, 256 

cabbage-bark. 190 

cabellos de hngel, 148 

cabimbo, 246 

cabimo, 246, 302 

cnbirma, 246 

cnbirma santa, 240 

cabo de hacha, 254 

cabra, 58, 136 

cabrilln, 56 

caca rat, 456 

cacaya, 198 

caca yance, 198 

cacaguillo, 340 

cacahuanance, 198 

cacahuannnche, 198 

cacaillo, 122, 314, 324 

cacaito. 340 

cacalojoche, 462 

cacalosdchil, 462 

cacnloxochitl, 462 

cacao, 199, 198, 342 

cacao bobo, 314 

cacao cimarrbn. 314, 324 

cacao motillo. 324 

cacao rojo, 322 

cacao roseta, 324 ' 

cacaotillo, 324 

cacaoyer, 342 

cacateiro, 342 

cachicamo, 350 

cachiman cannelle, 104 

cachimnn coeur boeuf. 102 

cachiman coeur-de-boeuf, 102 

cachimbo, 196, 464, 526 

cachito de aromo. 144 

CACTACEAE, 376 

cactus, 376 

CACTUS FBNILY, 376 

cactus, pipe-owan, 376 

cactus, tree, 378 

cacd, 200 

cadmia, 108 

Caeeulpiwia ferruginea. 182 

Caesalpiaia inermk, 182 

CAESALPINIACEAE, 168 

CAESALPZNIOIDEAB, 168 

caf6, 556 

cafe cimarrbn, 368, 478, 480, 510, 516, 

820 

cafe de gallina, 368 

cafe excelsa. 506 

cafe grand bois, 268,516 

cafe marron. 466,478,510,816 

cafe silvestre, 370 

cafecillo. 510 

cnfecillo de dnnta, 510 

!af&ler, 506 

!amasey blanco, 422 

rfeillo, 268, 368, 370, 516 

:amasey cenlzo, 424 

!nfeillo cimarr6n. 370 

!amasey de paloma, 420 

Bafetillo, 368,510; 516 

!amasey jusillo, 418 

:afetillo de monte, 510 

!amasey negro, 418 

!afeto, 506 

rmasey peludo, 420 

*aguaIr&n, 180 

tambd-ach,340 

rguani, 454 

tambagui, 370 

!aimite, 438,448 

tambrdn, 144,168,180,520 

:almite acoma, 454 

:hmbulo, 104,196 

taimite marron, 440 

tame-marie, 350 

!aimitier, 438 

amoruco, 340 

:aimitler bols, 438,448 

tampa50, 164 

rimitillo, 436, 440, 448, 450 

tanalete, 254,468 

!aimitill0 cimarrbn, 450 

!analete de humo, 468 

aimitillo de perro, 440 

tannnga, 106 

rimitillo verde, 450 

7ananga blainii, 108 

rimito, 438, 440 

7attanga cartbaea, 108 

mimito blanco cimarr6n,436 

Zananga odorata, 106 

taimito cimarrbn, 440 

7ana?tgiuni odoraturn, 108 

!aimito cocuyo, 436 

tandelillo, 502 

taimito de perro, 440 

mdlewood, 2l6, 240, 456, 514 

taimito verde, 436 

!andlemood, black, 120,516 

taimo, 438 

:andlewood-tree, 302 

aim0 morndo, 438 

!aneel, 362 

!ainit. 438 

!an66ce, 172 

!ainit, wild, 440 

!nneflcier, 172 

tainito, 438 

tanela, 112,118,128,362 

aituco, 358 

:anela blanca, 362 

:aiucbra, 488 

:onela de la tierra, 362 

!aj&. 204,296 

?anela del pals, 112 

ajB manga, 202 

xnelilla, 112, 362 

!ajfi-mirim, 204 

?anelillo, 112118,126,414 

taj4 seira, 294 

:anellto, 284 

?ajeta, 300 

anella, 362 

!ajeto. 336 

7anella alba. 362 

!ajetbn, 264 

:anella, cinnamon, 362 

:njoba, 160 

CANELLA FAMILY. 362 

:aju, 288 

Smella winterma, 13,:%2 

:ajuelro, 288 

PANELLACEBB, 362 

:ajuil, 288 

:ajuilito sulimhn, 404 

:alaba, 350 

?anellier blanc. 362 

:nlabacero, 490 

canelbn, 118, 434 

?alabnsa, 490 

~1nelbn-puit8,432 

:alabash, 402 

:aney, 458 

calabash-tree, 490,492 

mnilln de muerte, 50 

calabash-tree, common, 490, 492 tnnilla de venado, 480 

?nlabnzo, 492 

canjuro, 148 

calambreiia, 84 

cantagallo, 194 

calbhs, 492 

cafia brava, 34 

calbfis rondo. 402 

cafia India, 34 

calebasse, 492 

cafiaflstola, 170 

cnlebnssier, 492 

cafiafistula, 170 

Calopht/Ilttrn antillantrm, 330 

caflafistula clmarrona, 172 

Calophyllum brasiliense, 12, 13, 348 cafiambd, 34 

Caloph~tlttm braailiertse vnr. arrtil- cafiaza, 34 

lanrrm, 350 

caobn, 250,252 

Caloplr~llum calaba, 350 

caoba americana, 250 

Calopl~ylkctn jacqtrbril, 350 

cnobn de Honduras, 250 

Caloplr~llum lucidttna, 350 

caoba de San o Domingo, 252 

CALTROP FABIILY, 212 

caobn del pa$, 30 

Calycogonium squamulosum, 14, 418 caoba dqm%icana, 250 

Caluptracordiu alba, 470 

caobn hondureiia, 248, 250 

Calyptranthes liiaerekovii, 396 cnoba venezolana, 250 

Calyptranthes krugii, 14, 396 caobilla, 14,30,252 

Cal~ptrantltes palkae, 396 

caoutchduc, 68 

Cal~plrantl~es portoricenais, 398 capa, 468, 470 

CaIuptra#rtker sitttertiaii, 3D6 

cap4 nmarillo, 482 

Calgptranthce thonrasiana. 398 cap% blanco, 482 

catnagiiilla, 432,434 

cap& cimarrbn, 470 

camn jonduro, 340 

cap6 colorado, 472 

camn jurG, 340 

cap& de olor, 468 

camnrbn, 28 

cap6 de sabana, 468,482 

cnmaroncillo, 28 

cap6 prieto, 468 

camaruca, 340 

caph rosado, 482 

camasa, 492 

cap& snbanero, 482 

camasey, 422 

cap&, mild, 472

caw, 352 

caper, 132 

caper, broadleaf, 132 

CAPER FABIILY, 132 

caper, Jamaica, 132 

caper, limber, 132 

capertree, 132 

CdPP.4 RIDACEAE, 132 

Capparis baducoa, 132 

Capparis coccolobifolia, 132 

Capparts cynophallophora, 13, 132 

Capparis pervosa, 132 

Capparis indica, 132 

Capparis jatnaicensia, 132 

Capparis portorice~~sis, 132 

capuli cimarr6n. 56.58 

capulin, 58 

capulin blaneo, 58 

capuLin macho, 58 

capulin montes, 58 

capulin negro, 58 

capulin, white, 58 

capulincillo, 58 

carabali, 164 

carabana. 436 

carachuche. 4432 

caracoli, 254 

caracolillo, 254, 372 

caracere des hommes, 170 

T camcucha, 462 

caraicillo, 304 

caramacate, 372 

caraiia, 236 

carapacho, 514 

rararucha blanca, 462 

carate, 236 

cnl-atero, 236 

carMn, 168,190 

c-arboncillo, 502, 

carbonero, 132,246,318 

carbonero de costa, 318 

carbonero de sombrio, 148 

ci~rey de costa, 320,508 

Carica papaya, 374 

CdRICACB.4 E. 374 

mrillo, 282 

carne asada, 100 

rarnestolendas, 360 

* carob,180 

mrolina, 442 

carrapeta, 254 

mrreto, 164 

carretbn, 264 

carruzo, 526 

cartnhar, 62 

carubio, 232 

aruto, 512 

caruto rebalsero, 512 

Carl~ophulllis fan boa, 402 

cnscalata. 316 

cascadlla, 322 

) cascarlta, 304 

cascnrroya, 322 

c-asco de mulo, 170 

Canearia aciileata, 364 

Casearia arborea, 14, 364 

Ctlecarin bicolor. 334 

Casearia decandra, 384. 366 

Casearia guianensis, 364. 368 

Cascaria parviflora, 370 

Casearia rantiflora. 368 

Casearia sylvestrh, 364. 370 

casha, 144 

cashaw, 144,168 

cashew, 286, 288 

cashew-apple, 288 

CASHEW FAMILY, 286 

cashew-nut, 288 

cnshia, 144 

cashu, 288 

casia, 174 

casia amarilla, 148,174 

casia de Siam, 174 

casia rosada, 172 

casia siamea, 174 

casita, 308 

Cospurcopsis ntoaandra, 170 

mssacla, 442 

cassada, wild, 442 

cussada-\vood, 442 

cassarebout, 428 

casse. 172 

casse de Slam, 174 

cnsse-habitant. 172 

cassia, 144 

cassia, apple-blossom, 172 

Cassia fistula, 168, 170 

Cassia grandia, 172 

cassia, Javanese, 172 

Cassia javanica, 168, 172 

cassia, nodding, 172 

Cassia nodoaa. 172 

cassia, pink, 172 

cassia, pinkshower, 172 

cassia, purging, 172 

Cossia siamea, 168, 174 

cassia, Siamese, 174 

CASSIA SUBFAMILY, 168 

cassia-stick-tree, 172 

cassia, yellow, 174 

cassie, 144 

cassie-flower, 144 

cashiia, 02, 394 

castafieto, 278 

castaiio, 62, 340 

castafio del Malabar, 62 

castaiiola, 394 

Castilia elastics, 64 

Cantilla lactiflua, 64 

Cantilla pa~lamcrefe, 04 

Caetilloa, see Castilla, 64 

casu. 288 

casuarina, 48 

Casuarina equketifolia, 48 

CASUARINA FAJIILY, 48 

casuarina, horsetail, 48 

CASUARISACEAE, 48 

casuarine, 48 

catahua, 278 

catalpa, 330 

catamericuche, 360 

catfiuii, 278 

catcla~~~, 162 

catoche, 100 

ratuche, 100 

catzfmec. 168 

cauchera, 64 

caucho, 64, 88 

caucho de la India. 68 

caucho negro, 64 

:aulote, 340 

:aya amarilla, 454 

:aya colorada, 442 

cnyepon, 458 

cngiera, 402 

rnzabito, 254 

cazuarina, 48 

ceboruquillo, 312 

Cecropia asperripla, 08 

Cecropia peltatg, 14, 66 / 

:eda. 108 

cedar, 244 

ceder, 244 

ddre, 244 

&dre espagnol. 244 

cedrela, cigarbox, 244 

CedreZa nzeaicana, 244 

Cedrela odorata, 13, 14, 242 

Cedrela sinteni%ii, 244 

cedrillo, 246, 254, 300 

' cedro, 244, 290 

cedro amargo, 244 

cedro amarillo, 244 

cedro blanco, 244 

cedro caoba, 244 

I cedro clavel, 244 

cedro colorado, 244, 254 

cedro de Castilla, 244 

cedro del pais, 244 

cedro dulce, 244, 246 

cedro espafSol, 244 

cedro espino, 254 

cedro hembra, 242, 244, 300 

cedro hembra del pais, 244, 

cedro macho, 110, 244, 246, 278 

cedro mexicanom - 

cedro oloroso, 244 

cedro prieto, 290 

cedro real, 244 

cedro vermelho, 244 

cedrohy, 246 

cedr6n. 246 

ceiba, 278, 332, 334 

Celba anfractuosa, 334 

ceiba blanca, 278 

Cefba caribaea, 334 

ceiba de Garzbn, 334 

ceiba de lana, 334,336 

ceiba de leche, 278 

ceiba habillo, 278 

Cefba occidentalis, 834 

Ceiba pentandra, 13, 332 

Ce8a peniandra var. caribaea, 334 

ceibo, 104,196,334 

celbo amarillo, 278 

ceibdn botija, 350 

cenfcero, 164 

cenizo, 230.424 

cenizoso, 422 

Central-American-cedar, 244 

Cephalocereus royenii, 13,376 

Cerato~ria siliqua, 180 

Cerdana alliodora, 468 

cerecilio, 466 

Cereus rouenit, 376 

cereza, 280,372 

cerezn amarilla, 280 

cerezas blancns, 470 

cerezo, 866,472 

cerezo agrio, 280 

cerezo de Cayena, 400 

cerezo del pais, 472, 

cerillo, 508 

ceririra, 58 

cerrillo, 314 

ceuf cle poule, 158 

chabark, 160 

chaca, 236,288 

chacalte, 250 

chachh, 148 

chachiga, 442 

chad&que, 224 

chagualito, 434 

chajada amarilla, 206 

chanchn, 162 

chancaro blanco, 428 

chandelle anglaise, 508 

chanygo, 258 

chaparro, 258 

chaparro de chinche, 256) 

chaparro de sabana. 258 

chaparro manteca, 258 

chaparro manteco, 258

chap60 de sol, 894 

chapernlllo. 160 

chaperno, 100 

chaquira. 316 

chaquirlllo, 282 

chaquirlo, 316 

chataigne, 62 

chfitaignier, 62,324 

chataignier du pays, 62 

chataignier petit coco, 324 

chaya, 358 

checker-grape, 84 

chene calebassier, 482 

chene caparo, 468 

chbe Guadeloupe, 304,478 

chenet. 306 

cherry, 288 

cherry-grape, 84 

chevalier, 502 

chi, 258 

chic-chica, 236 

chicha, 340 

chlcharro, 896 

chicharr6n, 340 

chlcharrbn de monte, 614 

chicle, 440 

chicory-grape, 84 

chicozapote, 446 

chilca, 502 

chilillo. 216 

china, 220, 226 

china dulce, 226 

chinaberry, 246,248 

chinaberry, umbrella, 248 

chinacahulte, 238 

chinacuite, 236 

chinatree, 248 

chininango, 162 

chinkswood, 466 

chino, 236 

chino dulce, 226 

chiou8,238 

chirai, 100 

chlrfmoya, 102,104 

chirlobirlos, 802 

chirmoya, 104 

CHLORANTHACEAE. 62 

CHLORANTHUS FAMILY, 52 

cho, 360 

chocho, 308 

CHOCOLATE FAMILY, 338 

chocolate-tree, 342 

choky-apple, 452 

choldn, 502 

choncho, 208 

chorlio, 54 

rhorote, 308 

chote, 264 

chou palmiste, 42 

Christmas-hope, 502 

Christmas-tree, 48,520 

Chrysophyllum argenteum, 436 

Chtymphflltirnt bicolor, 440 

Chrysophyllum cainito, 438, 438 

Cltryeophyllum eggcrsii, 440 

Chqtsophyllum glabrum, 436 

Chrysophyllum oliviforme, 430, 440 

Clbrysophyllrrm pauciporum, 436 

chuchi copei, 352 

chumbimbo, 308 

ohumbino, 308 

churrusco, 68 

chuun, 860 

Cicca acida, 280 

Cicca (listicha, 280 

cidrn, 218,222 

cieneguillo, 400, 410 

clmrbox-cedar, 244 

U 

ciya, 116 

clgua amarilla, 110,116 

cigua blanca, 116 

ciya boba, 122 

cigua laurel, 122 

cigua prieta, 114 

ciguamo, 320 

ciguarayo, 132 

cillament, pepper, 11% 

cllliment-bush, 802 

cilliment, mild, 414 

cina-cina, 180 

cincahulte, 392 

cincho, 200 

Cinclcm~a, 508 

cinnamomo, 248 

cinnamon, 414 

cinnamon-bark, 362 

cinnamon, pepper, 362 

cinnamon, wild, 302,414 

ciprfis, 48 

cirnlillo, 314 

Circassinn-bean, 146 

Circasslan-seed, 14% 

ciribn, 490 

ciroela, 294,296 

cirouelie, 200 

ciruela, 296 

ciruela amarilla, 294 

ciruela campechana, 296 

ciruela colorndn, 296 

ciruela de jobo, 294 

ciruela de monte, 294 

ciruela del pale, 296 

ciruela dulce, 292 

ciruela moradn, 290 

ciruela sanjunnera, 296 

ciruelillo, 886 

ciruelo, 290 

ciruelo colorado, 296 

citara. 292 

Citharexylum caudatum, 476, 478 

Citharexylum fruticosum, 13,476, 478, 

480 

Citltarexylirnt spfwoaum, 480 

citron, 218 

citron commun, 218 

citron doux, 218 

citronnier, 222 

citrus, 218 

Citrus aurantifolia, 210, 218 

Citrus aurantium, 216, 220, 226 

Citrua bigaradia, 220 

Citrtts decutnana. 224 

Citrita grattdia. 218, 222, 224 

Citrua lima, 218 

Citrua lintetta, 218 

Citrus limon, 216, 222 

Citrus limonia, 222 

Citrua liatonum, 222 

Citrir~ maxfma, 222, 224 

Citrus medica, 218 

Citrua nobilis, 218 

Citrus paradiai, 210. 224 

Citrtts reticulala. 218 

Citrue sfnettab, 216, 226 

Citric8 vulgaria, 220 

clammy-cherry, wild, 474 

clamor, 330 

clarellina, 208 

clavellino, 170 

clamberry, 282 

clom6n, 330 

Clibadium erosum, 526 

clusia, eopey, 352. 

Cluaia gundlacl~i~, 350 

Clusia kruginna, 14, 348. 350 

Clusia minor. 350 

Clusia rosea, 13, 348, 352 

coabanilla, 184 

cbbana, 184 

dbana negra, 184 

-. --- 

cbbano. 244 

cobreque, 208 

coca, 210,344 

COCA FANILY. 210 

cocaina falsa, 210 

Coccoloba borinquensia, 80 

Coccoloba costata, 78 

Coccoloba diveraifolia, 18, 76 

Coccoloba grandifolia, 78 

Coccoloba krugil, 80 

Coccoloba laurtfoZfa, 76 

Coccoloba nticrostachya, 80 

Coccoloba nivea, 84 

Coccoloba obtusffolia, 80 

Coccoloba pubescens, 13, 76, 78 

Coccoloba pyrtfolfa, 80 

Coccoloba rugoea, 78 

Coccoloba rupicola, 78 

Coccoloba eintenisii, 76 

Coccoloba swartzii, 76, 80 

Coccoloba uvifera, 12, 76, 82 

Coccoloba venoaa, 13,76,84 

COCHLOSPERAIACEAE, 360 

cochlospermum, 360 

COCHLOSPERNUJL FAMILY, 8W . 

Cochlosperntum hibiacoides, 360 

Cochlospermum vitifolium, 860 

cocito, 360 

cock-tree, 194 

coco, 40, 340 

coco da India, 40 

coco de aya. 40 

coco de Bahia, 40 

cocoa, 342 

cocoa-mamma, 198 

cocoa-shade, Nicaragua, 198 

cocoa, mild, 314 

cocoite, 198 

cocojoro, 130 

coconut, 38, 40 

coconut-palm, 40 

cocos, 40 

Cocos nucifera, 34, 38 

cocospnlm, 40 

cocotero, 40 

cacotier, 40 

cocoyer, 324 

cocu, 100 

cocuyo, 320 

coeur de boeuf, 102 

Coffea arabica, 506 

Coffea deioecrel, 506 

coffee, 188, 198, 506 

cofPee, Arabian, 506 

coffee, Demerre, 606 

coffeemamma. ID6 

cohoba, 158 

coil. 392 

cojoba, 158, 160 

Cojoba arborea, 160 

cojbbana, 158, 100 

cojobanilla, 100 

cojobillo, 158 

CO~O~O. 

158 

cojbn. 350 

cola de paro, 254 

colibri r8gfita1, 208 

collarete. 478 

collier, id 

colorado, 298 

Colubrina arboreacens, 13,316 

colubrina. coffee. 316 

~olubrlna colubrina, 316 

Colubrina ferrugiftoea, 816

14 

Colubrina reclinata, 316, 318 

COYBRETACEAE, 388 

COYBREI'UM FdUZLY, 386 

comecarh, 400,412 

comiaa de culebra, 370 

COXPOBITAE, 526 

COMPOSITE FAMILY, 526 

concha de paneque, 232 

congo, 190 

congo-pump, 68 

Conocarpus erectus, 12, 390 

Consolea ru berccna, 378 

contarnal, 310 

copal, 180 

copalche, 508 

copete, 502 

copey, 352 

copinol, 180 

coMn, 236 

copper, blue, 514 

coqueiro de Bahia, 40 

coquelicot, 140 

coquemolle, 322 

cora~iio de bol, 102 

corado de negro, 148 

cora~iio de rainha, 100 

corail v&g&tal,146 

' 

' 

coral, 146 

coralbean, 192 

coralbean, common, 192 

coralillo, 146;192,370 

coralfn, 146 

coralitos, 146 

corallero. 520 

coraltree, 192 

eorazbn, 102 

corazbn cimarrdn, 98 

carazbn de paloma, 316,372 

coreho, 88, 90, 92, 336 

corcho blanco, 88.90 

corcho bob, 88 

Cordia aZba, 470 

Cordia alliodora, 14, 466, 468 

Cordia borinquensis, 14, 468, 470 

Cordia cotbcoccU, 472 

Cordfa dentata, 470 

Cordia gglabra, 472 

Cordia nitida, 13, 466, 472 

cordla, onion, 468 

Cordia riclcseckert, 470 

Cordia sebesteno, 470 

Cordia sulcata, 14, 466, 474 

cordobhn, 428 

cordobanclllo, 522 

cordonclllo, 60 

cordonclllo blanco, 50 

croribee, 502 

cork-tree, 330 

cork-tree, false, 336 

corkwood. 208,336 

corkwood-tree. Australian, 208 

cornwood, 190 

corobore, 160 

coronel, 320 

corossol, 100 

corossol zombl, 98 

corossolier, 100 

corozo, 34 

corta lingua, 370 

costex. 316 

costllla dedanto, 428 

coto, 200 

coton fleurs, 336 

coton marron, 826 

cotorrellllo, 366 

cotton-tree, 334,336 

cotton, wild, 326 

eourbaiil, 178, 180 

courlda, 478 

cow-tnmarind, 164 

cowbush, 156 

comee, 20% 

cows-foot, 50 

coxte, 316 

coyora, 36 

coyore, 36 

coyur, 08 

coyure, 36 

cmbo, 258 

craboo, 258 

craboo, wild, 268 

crabmood, 272 

crack-open, 370 

crapemyrtle, common, 382 

crapemyrtle, queen, 382 

crapemyrtle, tree, 382 

crapoo. 258 

cram-wood, 514 

crembn, 330 

Crescentia cujete, 490 

Crescmtia Nnearifolia, 492 

cresta de zallo. 208 

Critonia ~ortoriceneis, 526 

croc-&-chien, 520 

Croton poecilanthus, 14, 262, 266 

crucete, 520 

cruceto, 520 

crucilla, 520 

crucito, 520 

cruda, 478 

cuaba de costa, 216 

cuabilla, 216 

cuajachote, 358 

cuajo, 294 

cuapaste, 200 

cuapinol, 180 

cucharo, 332,434,402 

cucheme, 236 

cuchifi, 352 

cucubano, 514 

cucana, 488 

cueriduro, 268 

cuerno de bney, 516 

cuero de sapo, 508 

cuida, 108 

cuilimbuca, 100 

cult&, 492 

cujete, 400 

cuji, 168 

cuji aromo, 144 

cuji carora, 168 

cuji cimarrbn, 144 

cuji extmnjero, 180 

cuji negro, 168 

cuji yaque, 168 

cujinicuil, 150 

culche, 244 

culumate, 478 

CUSONIA FAMILY. 138 

OUNONZACEAE. 1311 

cuntich, 144 

Cupania americana, 14, 302 

Crcpatbia triquetra, 302 

cuoeillo. 350 

cubillohe altura. 350 

cupey, 352 

cupey de altura, 350 

cupey trepador, 350 

cura, 128 

curabara, 122 

curaboca. 466 

curavara. 110 

cdrbana. 362 

curbarll, 180 

curtidor, 138 

curuba. 138 

custard-apple, 102 

cutlass, 466 

~~~1,442 

cuyus, 308 

Cyathea arborea, 14, 28 

Cyathea brlttoniana, 28 

Cuafliea pt&beUCc??~?, 28 

CYATHEACEAE, 28 

CYP, 468 

cypre, 468 

cypress, 468 

cyrilla, American, 298 

Cvrilla aatillana, 298 

CYRILLA FAMILY, 298 

Cyrilla racemiflora, 14, 298 

cyrilla, swamp, 298 

CYRZLLdCEdE, 298 

c~~ba, 334 

Dacryodee excelsa, 14, 238 

Dacryodeu hexandra, 240 

dajao, 516 

dakara, 434 ' 

dalemarie, 350 

dam machu, 352 

dama, 478 

damage, 350 

damajagua, 326 

Daplmopsis anlerieatuz, 380 

Dapknopak americanrr subsp. car& 

baea, 380 

Daphnopsia caribaea, 380 

Daphnopals Irelleriona, 380 

Daphnopsis philippfana, 380 

deux jumelles, 170 

Delonix regia, 168, 176 

Dendropanax arboreus, 14, 426 

Dendropatlax laurifollu8, 426 

Didymopanax morototoni, 14, 68, 428, 

dm 

diidi, 376 

dilenia, 344 

dillenia, 344 

DILLENIA FAMILY, 344 

dillenia, India, 344 

Dillenia indica, 344 

DZLLENZACEAE, 344 

dilly, 446 

dinner-bell, monkey, 278 

DipAollr bellonis, 442 

Dlplrolie crcbmia, 442 

Dipholis aalicifolia, 13,442 

Dlpholia ainteniaIana, 442 

doctor-bar, 234 

dog-almond. 190 

dog-plum, 190 

DOGBANE FAMILY, 460 

dogwoob, 200 

dornvood. ewamp, 200 

doiflesirle, 248 

dombou, 254 

doncela, 258 

doncella, 256, 304, 466 

dondequiera, 370 

dormildn, 148, 164 

double-coconut, 38 

douleur, 518 

dove-wood, 264 

doveplum, 76 

downtree, 336 

drago, 206 

dreifl, 82 

dreifl di lamnn, 82 

druif, 82 

drumstick-tree. 134 

Drypetea alba, 268 

Drypetee glcuica, 14, 262, 268

Drypeter! ilicifolia, 268 

Drupetea latcrifZora, 268 

duckwood, 122 

East-Indian-walnut, 148 

ebony, mountain, 316 

ebony. wild, 316 

ELAEOCARPACEAE, 324 

ELAEOCARPUS FAJIILP, 324 

Elaplfriurn aimaruba, 238 

elder, 50 

elder. S~anish. 50 

elequem'e, 192 ' 

ella. Spanish, 50 

ELI1 FAMILY, 56 

ells, 30 

emajaya, 15,92,326 

emajagua bravo, 380 

emajagua de sierra, 380 

emajagiiilla, 330 

emperatriz de la selva, 360 

encinilla, 268 

encinillo, 138 

endurece maiz, 132 

enrubio, 232 

Enterolobium satnan. 166 

equipnl, 58 

erubia, 58. 488 

Erythrina berteroana, 188, 190 

Erytlirfna corallodesdrunz, 192 

Ewthrina eggcrsii, 192 I, 

Erythrina glauca, 188, 192 

Ergthrina ltorrida. 192 

Ergtlirfna nticroptergx, 106 

Erythrina poeppigiana, 15, 188, 194 

ERYTHROXZ'LACEAE, 210 

Erythroxylon areolaturn, 13, 210 

Ergtltroxylon brevipee, 210 

Erythroz~lml coca. 210 

Ergtlrroxylon rofrtndifolitrnl, 210 

Brgtl~roxylon ruftrnr, 210 

erythroxylon, thin-leaf, 210 

escambrbn, 520 

escambrdn colorado, 162 

escanjocote, 306 

cscoba, 304 

espadero, 432 

espatodea, 494 

espejuelo, 320,442 

cspinal, 144 

espinillo. 144,180,228 

espino. 144.162.230,232 

espino blanco, 144,232 

espino craz, 520 

ospino rubial, 228,230,232 

espino ruco, 144 

espinosa, 230 

esponjeira. 144 

estribo, 92 

eucalipto, 398 

eucalipto achatado, 398 

ellcnlipto corndn, 398 

eucalipto de pantano, 398 

eucalipto del alcanfor. 308 

eucalypt, 398 

eucalyptus, 398 

eucalyptus, beakpod, 398 

Etrcalupttrs multdflora, 398 

Eucalyptus robusta, 396, 398 

eugenia, 400 

Eugenia aeruginea, 396,400 

Eugenia axillaria, 400 

Eugenia bellonis, 400 

Eugenia biffora, 400 

Eugenia bo~ueronensis. 400 

Etrgenia borinqtrensis, 14.400 

eugenia, boxleaf, 400 

Eugenia bziaifolia, 400 

Eugenia confttea, 400 

Eugenia cordata, 400 

Eugenia corozalensls, 400 

Eugenia donrhigensis, 400 

Bvgeaia eggersil, 400 

Elrncnia floribrrnda. 400 

~~rger~ia fragrans, 460 

Eugenia j a m b o s , m 

Etrgerr la laacea, 4 

Rlrgcnia ligastrina, 400 

Euaenia malaccensis. 396. 404 

Eugenia )nonticola, 400- ' 

Eugenia ayrtoides, 400 

Etcgcaia proccra, 400 

Errgalia pserrdopsidiuni, 400 

engenia, redbery, 400 

Eugenia rhombea, 390, 406 

Ezfgenia serrasuela, 400 

Elcgcnia sessiliflora, 400 

Errgen in sirctenisii, 400 

eugenia, spiceberry, 406 

Eugenia staMii, 386, 408 

Eugenia etemardeonii, 400 

Errgenia trndertcoodii, 400 

Errgcnia uniflora, 400 

ertgenia, white-stopper, 400 

Etrgcnia xerophytica, 400 

eugenio, 300 

Etrpatoritotl portoricenee, 526 

Euphorbia petiolaris, 262, 270 

EUPHORBILICEAB, 262 

Euterpe globosu, 14, 34, 40 

Exostema caribaeum, W. 508 

E'@oatenia cllipticrtni, 508 

Exostente sawctae-ltrciae, 508 

Eltsert It urtltia polgstach!/a, 20.1 

FAUdCEAE, 188 

Fagara carfbaea, 228 

Fagara java, 228 

Fagara tnartitticcneis, 230 

Faflara ~nonopitglla, 232 

Fagara Irifoliata, 228 

false-coffee, 510 

false-grape, 84 

false-mahogany, 190 

false-mamey, 350, 352 

false-mastic, 454 

Faramea occidentalis, 504, 510 

Faranea odoratlesinra, 510 

ferii-tree, 492 

feuille dorbe, 448 

Ficrrrr brct:ifolia, 70 

Ficus citrifolia, 70 

Ficus crassincrvia. 70 

Ficus elastics, 68 

Ficus laevigata, 70 

Fie118 laevigata mr. brevifolia, 70 

I.'icrru lucvigata rar. lentiginoea, 70 

Fictrs lcntiqinosa, 70 

Firrrx iritida, 72 

Ficrrx obtttsifolia, 72 

Firrrs pcrforata, 74 

Pierrs populnea, 70 

Ficus popelttea mr. brevifolia, 70 

Ficus retusa, 72 

Ficus sintenisii, 74 

Fictts etahlii, 70 

Ficzrs trigonala, 70 

Ficzte urbaniana, 72 

flddle\vood, 478, 480, 482, 486 

fiddlewood, black, 486 

fiddlewood, Florida, 480 

fiddlewood, pasture, 480 

fiddlewood, racemose, 478 

flddle\vood, splcate, 480 

fiddle\vood, timber, 486 

fiddlewood, white, 486 

fig, 72 

fig, India-laurel, 72 

fig, India-rubber, 68 

fig, shortleaf, 70 

fig, shortleaf, mild, 70 

flg, white, 70 

flg, mild,. 70 

fi yier, 70 

flyler banian, 70 

figuier blanc, 70 

flguier marron, 352 

figuier maudit, 70, 352 

flguier maudit cimarron, 352 

filao. 48 

fishing-rod. - -. , 520 - - - 

~ialil~ckia anegadensis, 144 

FIJACOURTIA FAMILY, 384 

FLACOURTIACEAI. 304 

flambolldn amarillo, 174 

flamboyhn, 176 

flamboyoin amarillo, 182, 

flamboyhn azul, 492 

flamboy&n blanco, 170 

flamboydn colorado, 176 

fiamboyhn cubnno. 170 

flamboyln estranjero, 170 

flamboyln rojo, 176 

flamboydnt, 176 

flamboyant bleu, 492 

flamboyant-tree. 176 

flamboyant, yellow, 182 

flame-tree, 176 

flamingo-bill, 208 

fleur-papillon, 208 

flor amarilla, 502 

flor blanca, 462 

flor de cuervo, 462 

flor de ensarta, 462 

flor de fuego, 176 

flor de la cruz, 462 

flor de la reinn, 382 

flor de mayo, 180,462 

flor de paralso, 248 

flor cle pavo, 176 

flor de rayo, 180 

fior de toro, 462 

forestina, 148 

Porterentura, 200 

fortuga, caspi, 366 

fountain-tree, 494 

FOUR-O'CLOCK FAMILY, 88 

framboy811, 176 

framboydn azul, 492 

frangepane, red, 462 

Prangepane, n7hite, 460 

fmngijnponie, 462 

frangiphn, 462 

frangipani, 460, 462 

f mngipani, Jlexican, 462 

frangipani, nosegay, 462 

frangipani. red, 462 

frangipani, white, 462 

frangipanler, 462 

Pmngipnnier blanc, 462 

Pranglpanler rose, 462 

fritngipanier rouge, 462 

frnnglpanier sauvage, 460 

frnnsi mope, 292 

French-cashew, 404 

frescura, 330 

Presnillo. 502 

fresno, 502 

fresno americano, 602 

frijol, 132 

ffijolillo amarillo, 200 

fromager, 334 

fromnger mapou, 336 

Promagier, 618

fructa pilo, 62 

fruit l~ pain, 62 

fmta de conde, 104 

frutn bomba, 376 

fruto decatey, 466 

fruta do loro, 246 

fruta de palonia, 76,210 

fruta de pan, 62 

fuego, 316 

fuelle canelle, 434 

fustic, 202 

gaeta, 254 

gaTac, 212 

gaiac blanc, 214 

gaiac femelle, 214 

gainc frnnc, 212 

garc male, 212 

gajlgua, 254 

galba, 350 

galba odorant, 350 

gallpee, 426 

gclllinero, 162 

gallito, 192,194,208 

gallito blanco, 208 

gallito colorado, 208 

gnmo de costa, 280 

gaque, 352 

garbancillo, !254 

gardenia hedionda, 518 

gnrgordn, 428 

gnrrocho, 336 

gatillo. 336 

Gauesia attenuata, 13, 34, 42 

gnrilln, 428 

Geiger-tree, 470 

gemberhout, 386 

genepas, 512 

genip, 306,512 

genipa, 512 

Genrpa americana, 13, 504, 512 

Genipa americana rar. car~ito, 512 

Genlpa caruto, 512 

genipap, 512 

genipap, 512 

enipayer, 512 

geniptree, 512 

gedzaro, 164 . 

geno, 200 

genogeno. 200 

fieo, 122 

geo-geo, 122 

(;eoffroga ittermis, 190 

gia mausa, 366 

giant, 176 

giant-tree, 176 

gi yalti. 512 

GlCtBerfia arborea, 426 

dne~, 306 

ginger-t homas, 502 

GISSESG FAMILY, 428 

git6.246 

- -- ------ 

gliricidia: i98 

Gliricidia maorclata, 198 

Cliricidia aeeium. - . 188, 196 

glorln, 502 

goajiro, 180 

gobiablera, 416 

gneaana, 466 

goeaaeoema, 3-10 

goeaiaaba, 416 

goejaba, 416 

goesberie, 280 

goiaba, 416 

golden-apple, 292 

golden-shower, 170 

goldenleaf, 438 

goma, 64 

goma adbiga, 144 

gon~a elastics, 68 

goma elemi, 238 

gombo-limbo, red, 238 

gomme mombin, 298 

gommier, 236,238,240 

gommier h canot, 240 

gomtnier barrihe. 238 

gommier blanc, 238,240 

gommier, dry-land, 238 

gommier encens, WO gommier rnaudit, 238 

goi~imier montagne, 240 

gommier, peeling-bark, 238 

gommier rouge, 238 

gongoli, 426 

gooseberry, 280,282.444 

gooseberry, false, 282 

gooseberry-tree, 280 

gooseberry-tree, Otaheite, 280 

gooseberry, wild, 280 

gouannegoul, 166 

goyave, 416 

goyarier, 410,416 

goyavier h fruits, 416 

goyavier biltard. 514 

goyavier qrreuede-rat, 410 

gmine canique, 308 

graines bleues, 456 

graines vertes, 314 

gmines riolettes, 314 

grains de lln pays, 150 

grajo. 400 

GRAM INEAE, 32 

granadillo, 386 

granadillo bobo, 156.422 

firanadillo de claro, 372 

granadino, 156 

granado, 298 

grnnd mahot, 326 

grand rnapoa, 474 

grape, 82 

grapefruit, 224 

GRASS FANILY, 92 

gravidla, 100 

grnyumo hembrn, 68 

greenheart, 316, 514 

greenheart, Demerara, 514 

gregre, 388 

grelfruta, !224 

gri-gri. 386,388 

grignon, 388 

jirijze mnngel, 390 

gris-gris des montagnes, 388 

gros mahaut, 330 

grosella, 280 

grosella blanca. 280 

grosella de Nicaragua. 280 

gross @ah. 314 

guaba, 154, 312, 506 

guaba del pals. 154 

guaba natirn, 154 

miacal, 480 

guacamaya, 176 

guacamayo, 176,190 

runchnraco, 302 

gunchimol, 162 

guiicimaj 338 

guficiqa cimarrona, 338 

mdcjrna de cahnllo, 338 

guacimilla, 58, 468 

guacirnilln hoba. 58 

guad~nilla cimarrona. 68 

guacimillo, 340 

gudcirno, 338 

guficimo blanco. 340 

yhcimo do ten~cro, 340 

guaconejo, 216 

guaguasi, 364 

yaiaco, 50, 212 

Guaiacum guatcnuzlense, 214 

Guaiacum officirmle, 18,212 

Guaiacum sanctum, 13,214 

guaicaje, 282 

yairnje, 408 

guaita, 254 

yaitil, 512 

guaitil blanco, 512 

Guaiacunt, see Guaiacum, 212 

yajanilla, 372 

yaje, 156, 400 

guajbn, 110 

guam6, 150, 194, 606 

guamii americano, 162 

guamfi de costa, 200 

guamh do Puerto Rico, 150 

guamdl macho, 200 

yamh peludo, 152 

guaml venezolano, 152 

guamd zapatero, 294 

guamacho. 162 

guamo blanco, 162 

guamo guarsl. 302 

guamo matias, 302 

guamuche, 162 

guamuchil, 162 

guanaba, 100 

guaniibana, 98,100 

guancibana cimarmna, 98 

guardbanti de loma, 98 

yanhbana de perro, 98 

yanabano, 100 

guanandi, 350 

guaney, 458 

gumgo, 164, 166 

guano, 334, 336 

yao de costa, 200 

mapaste, 200 

guapfnal, 180 

yapinol, 180 

guara, 302, 304 

yara blanca, 302 

guara combn, 302 

guaraguaillo, 246 

guaraguao, 244, 386, 388 

guarayao macho, 246 

guadn amarlllo, 502 

gudrana, 302 

guarnna hembra, 302 

guarana macho, 302 

guannguadn, 502 

guannguay amarillo, 602 

maranguay blanco, 502 

gunrcmo, 302 

guarnpo, 84 

guarataro. 282 

guarda-sol, 394 

Guarea ouara. 246 

Guarea ramiflora. 246 

Guarea trichilioides 14,242,244 

guarema, 234 

yarmuche, 148 

guarumo, 68 

ydbara, 400 

gufisnra, 400 

guhsima de pinares, 136 

guasimilla, 56, 364 

y assatunga, 370 

guatnfer. 320 

guatapank, 168 

Guatteria blainii, 14, 108 

Guatteria carfbaea, 108 

guava, 272, 416 

guava, common, 416 

guava, semtte, 400

guava, wild, 412, 410, 614 

guave, 410 

yavo, 160 

yayabn, 274, 416 

guayaba pernlera, 410 

guaynbncoa, 860 

yayabncbn, 254,400,410 

guayabllla de costa, 400 

guayablllo. 310,370 

maynblto, 370 

yayabo, 410 

guayabo dulce, U 0 

yayabbn, 70 

yayabota, 400, 408 

gunparote, 314 

yayadn, 212, 211 

gunyadn bloncn, 102, 212, 214 

guqyadn colomblnno, 212 

uunsauln conao. 100 

bnyndn de playa, 212 

gunyncbn de vera, 214 

gunyndn nego, 212 

ynyncnnclllo. 214 

gunyacnnejo, 70 

yayaco, 212 

guaynva, 416 

guayo blnnco, 480 

guayo prleto, 482 

gunywo, M) 

guayuyo blnnco, 50 

gunzntumba, 370 

yazuma, 340 

Qua:uma nuazuma. 840 

Cuazurna ulrnifol~a,~ i3,338- 

Quazunta ulmifolia var. tomcntosa. 

340 

~6-m6.888 

yerrero, 620 

Qucttarda elliptica. 614 

Quettarda krugii, 614 

Qucttarda la&8,614 

Quettarda omlifolfa, 514 

Qucttarda parvfpora, 614 

Cuettarda scabro, 18, 564, 514 

Gulnnaplum, 208 

yillqueme. 194 

gulnda, 280 

yirn, 490 

glllre. 402 

~lr11,508 

mltarrero, 428 

mlm-arnblc. 144 

mmelemi, 238 

gumbo-limbo, 236,258 

ymtree, 238 

GUTTIFERrn, 348 

mynbn, 410 

Cymnanthea lucida, 18, 202, 272 

haba. 278 

habllla, 278 

hnblllo. 278 

Hamtoclt aria porforiconeie, 340 

haiti-haltl, 850 

haltl-halti, purple, 328 

hnrkHs, yellow, 232 

hnt-palm, Puerto Rlco, 48 

haya, 108 

hnya blanca, 108 

haya minga, 108 

hedlondllla. 160 

Hcdtoigia bal8antifera, 240 

l?edyosrnum arborescene, 52 

helecho, 28 

helecho Arbol, 28 

helecho arbbreo, 28 

hulngo, 402 

helecho gigante, 28 

hulra-palto, 128 

Hentitelia, 28 

hulrll. 308 

Hercules, yellow. 230 

huisuch6,~1lj 

HERNANDIA FAMILY, 130 

liulto, 512 

Hcrnandia guiancnsie, 130 

hukup. 238 

Hernandia eonora, 13,130 

hule, 04.08 

HERNANDIACWAE, 130 

hura, na, 278 

hesito, 508 

Hura crepitans, 202,276 

Heterotrich cyrnosum, 14, 418, 420 aura poluanilra, 278 

hetre grls, 340 

hura-wood, 278 

hCtre rert. 340 

huria, 258 

Hecea. 04.08 

Hueronirna coribaea, 278 

hibiscus. Chinese. 328 

Hyeronima cluslo!des, 13,202,278 

Hibbcus elatus. 326 

H.m=ronittta janraice~ais. 278 

Hibiecus eeculettttt8. 328 

Hyrnenaea courbaril, 13, 168. 178 

hibisciis, linden. 326 

Hibiacus roea-aineneie, 328 

hibiscus, sea, 326 

Ibbl-bnnuru, 412 

Ibo-ink, 512 

Hibbcus tiliaceus, 15. 326 

hlblscus, tree, 320 

Icucorea glauci-, 430 

hlcaquillo, 140 

Icucurea guadalupenris, 430 

hlcha, 250 

icaquillo, 140 

Hieronunta, see Hueroninta, 278 

Igaruta, 08 

hierro negro, 210 

Igunnero, 478 

hiyera, 08 

ilin-ilin, 106 

hlmerete. 428 

llang-llang, 108 

higiierillo, 486 

Imbuzelro, 292, 200 

higUerlto, 402 

lm~uortel blnnc, 194 

higliero, 490 

Immortol etrnnger, 494 

higuillo, 50, 70. 282 

lmmortel jaune, 190 

higuillo hoja menadn, 

lmmortcllo, bocare, 194 

50 

higilllo prleto. 74 

Immorblle, bols, 194, 196 

immortelle, mountain, 194, 1W 

Hippomane mancinella, 202, 274 immortelle, swamp, 192 

hiqulllu, 510 

Immorblle, water, 194 

Hirteh rugosa, 14, 140 

Incense-tree. 238 

Hirtella triattdra, 140 

Indnno, 266 

lioba, 294 

Indnno colorado. !&% 

hobo, 206 

hobo colorado, 296 

Indian-almond, 394 

Indian-laurel, 72 

hoe-stick-wood. 84 

Indian-mulberry. 618 

hogberry, 250 

Indlen nue, 238 

hog-berry. bastard. 282 

Indigo-berry, 620 

hogplum. 294,296 

indio, 210 

hoJa tarnal. 130 

lndlo desnudo. 236, 270 

hoja menuda, 400, 406, 412 

IndJu, 168 

hojnncha, 78,122 

iriga dulce, 102 

hojitn law, 432 

Inga faatuosa, 152 

holia. 250 

hollyhock, 

Inga inga. 164 

258 

Emtaliuwi hentist#lunt. 372 

fnga burina, 14, 142, 150, fiO(l 

Hontalittm leiogynum, 372 

lnga quuternata, 142, 152 

Eomaliuni pleiandrant , 372 

Ittga roueeor~iana. 152 

Ingo apecioeiseirna, 152 

ffornalium racernosurn, 14. 304. 372 

' 

Eondums-cedar, 244 

lnga vera, 142, 154, 600 

honey-n~angrove, 478 

Inkberry, 520 

honey-tree, wild, 366 

Irnyol, 512 

hooboo, 284 

Irnyol de lomn, 812 

hoop-tree, 248 

Ironberry, 320 

hori, 258 

ironwood, 320, 458, 508 

hormlguero, 408 

Ironwood, plnerldge, 468 

horsebenn, 180 

lstat&n, 478 

horseradish-tree, 134 

lumnnnd, 840 

HORSERADISH-TREE FAMILY. 184 

lxora ferrea, 804, 516 

horsetnil-tree. 48 

hnacnmayo-chico, 164 

lmn~upo. 330 

hrraranga, 144 

huamnhua. EiO2 

habu, 294 

hneslllo. 458 

hueslto, 368,510 

hueso, 234,208,458,510 

hueso blaneo, 458 

Jacaranda acutifolia, 492 

hueso ile tortuga. 320 

Jacaranda mirnouifolio. 492 

huevo de gallo, 464 

Hrrfelandia pertdula, 110 

huimba. 360

laurier blanc, 116 

laurier cypre, 468 

laurier fine, 122 

laurier jnune, 114 

laurier madame, 110, 122 

laurier marbre, 116 

laurier noir, 122 

laurier puant, 120 

laurier-rose, 30 

lnvar&n, 62 

laylay, 474 

laylny, hairy, 474 

leadtree, 156 

leadwood, 320 

leather-coat-tree, 78 

leatherwood. 298 

lenthern700d. soutllern, 298 

lebbek, 146, 148 

lebisa, 114, 116, 120 

leche prietn, 448 

lechecillo, 284, 436, 440 

lechosa, 374, 376 

leele, 520 

l'eglise. 146 

LEGUME FAMILY, 142 

LEG UNINOSAE, 142 

leli, 244 

lemoen, 218 

lemon, 222 

lemon. Canton, 222 

lenya de mujer, 148 

lengua de vncn, 426 

lenya viperina, 148 

l'epine, 230 

l'epine gommier, 230 

lepin6 jaune, 230, 232 

l'epinet., 230 

lepineux janne, 230 

lhpuni jnune, 230, 232 

Leucaena glauca, 156 

Lcucama lcucoccphala. 158 

leviza, 114 

libertad, 134 

licaria, Gulf, 114 

Lfcaria famaicCn8i8. 114 

Licaria adcifolfa, 13, 110, 112 

Licaria triandra, 110, 114 

licorice, 164 

lidflower, 396 

lidflower, pale, 396 

lignum nephriticum, 204 

lignumvitae, 212, 214 

lignumvitae, common, 212 

lignumvitae, false, 272 

lignumvitae, holywood. 214 

lignumvitae, roughbark. 214 

lila, 248 

lilac. 248 

lilaila, 248 

lilas, 248 

lilas des Indes, 248 

lilas du pays, 248 

lilas Btraneer. 248 

lilayo, 248,300 

limn, 218 

lima agria, 218 

limn boba, 218 

lima chha, 218 

lime, 218 

lime-leaf-plant, 218 

lime, sweet, 218 

lime, West Indian. 218 

limemood, 478 

1im6n. 218,222 

limdn agrio, 218, 222 

limdn criollo, 218.222 

limdn combn, 222 

lim6n de cabro, 222 

llm6n dulce, 218 

limon f rance. 222 

limdn franc&, 222 

lim6n real, 222 

lim6n sutil. 218 

limoncaspi, 366 

limoncillo, 210, 276, 300, 308, 368, 396, 

414 

limoncillo del Iqonte, 396,410 

limonero, 222 

linguam, 132 

lino, 156 

lino criollo, 156 

Ltnocicra axillifiora, 458 

L!nociera caribaea, 458 

Linociera domingensls, 14, 458 

Lirkociera holdridgfi, 458 

lirio, 458,462 

lirio snntana, 508 

liriokricolor, 462 

llngrumo, 68 

Ilajss, 364 

llorbn, 282 

Ilorona, 298 

llumepalm, Puerto Rico, 42 

lluvia de oro, 180 

loblolly, 90 

locus, 180 

locust, 178,180 

locust-berry, 250 

locust-tree, 256 

Lodoicea nuakliuica, 38 

loksi, 180 

Lonchocarpus doniittgenefs, 13,200 

Lonchocarpue glaucifolius, 200 

Lonchocarpus latifolius, 188, 198 

long-tom, 480 

LOOWSTRIFE FAJIILY, 382 

lorito, 138 

loro, 138 

LOTOZDEAE, 188 

louro, 468 

louro amarello, 468 

Lticuma nrultillora, 452 

LYTHRACEAE, 382 

mabi, 318 

maca colorado, 190 

macanabo. 436,440 

macaprein, 204 

macata, 156 

macata blanca, 156 

macayo, 190 

machacomo, 366 

machete, 192 

machette, 190 

machetillos, 192 

macol, 330 

macoutouca, 42 

macurije, 304 

madam naiz. 180 

madam yass, 180 

MADDER FAMILY, 504 

madern negra, 198 

madiern, 262 

Madras-thorn, 162 

madre de cacao, 194,198 

madre de flecha, 162 

madriado, 198 

madrial, 198 

madura, 198 

maduraverde, 438 

mag4 130, 328 

magn colorada, 828 

Maga grandijlura, 328 

mageniel, black, 270 

hIAONOLIA FAMILY, 94 

Magnolia portorteensis, 14, 94 

Magnolia splendens, 14, 94, 96 

dlAGNOLZACEAE* 94 

mago, 130 

mahnjo, 370 

mahaudeme, 336 

nlahault de Londres, 330 

mahaut frnnc, 326 

mahaut piment, 66 

maho, 326,330 

maho, beach, 330 

mahoe, 326 

mahoe, bombast, 336 

mahoe, seaside, 326,330 

mahogany, 13,248,250,252 

mahogany, bigleaf, 250 

mahogany, Brazilian, 250 

mahogany, British Honduras, 250 

mahogany, broadleaf, 250 

mahogany, Central American, 250 

mahogany, Dominican, 17, 250 

mahogany du pays, 252 

MAHOGANY FAMILY, 242 

mahogany, Honduras, 248,250 

mahogany, mediumleaf, 250 

mahogany, Peruvian, 250 

mahogany petites feuilles, 252 

mnhogany, small-leaf, 252 

mahogany, Spanish, 252 

mahogany, Venezuelan, 250 

mahogany, West Indies, 250, 2W2 

mahogany, West-Indian, 252 

mahok, 252 

mahomo, 200 

mnhoni, 252 

mahot, 326 

mahot bord-de-mer, 330 

mahot gombo, 326 

mahot grandes feuilles, 474 

mahot-hetre, 340 

mahout, 380 

mat das arvores, 334 

maiz tostado, 620 

majaya, 56,92,326 

mafama brava, 380 

maja y a colorada, 58 

ma jagua de Florida, 330 

ma jagua de mona, 92 

ma jagua de sierra, 880 

majaya de toro, 340 

mnja ya gallina, 190 

majaya hembra, 326 

majaya quemadora, 380 

majagliilla, 330 

majao, 326 

mnjoe, seaside, 326 

makka pruim, 206 

malayeta, 414 

malambo, 362 

Malay-apple, 404 

malcaconier, 202 

JlALLOW FAMILY, 318 

maloko, 134 

NALPIGHIA FAMILY, 250 

MALPIGHZACEAE. 256 

maluco, 512 

MALVACEAE, 326 

mamaja, 354 

mamilo, 376 

mamaya, 354 

mambee, 318 

mamee, 354 

mamey, 354 

mamey amnrillo, 354 

mamey de Cartagena, 354 

mamey de Santo Domlngo, 3M 

mameycillo, 484 

mameyuelo, 430,434,444 

mami, 354

mamie, 354 

mamieboom, 354 

Mammea americana, 13, 348, 354 

mammee-apple, 354 

mammi, 354 

mnmoeiro, 376 

mambn, 102, 306, 376 

mam6n de Cartagena, 306 

mamoncillo, 306 

mampolo, 494 

mampoo, 90 

mampoo, black, 92 

mampoo, water, 90 

manacla, 42 

manca-caballo, 168 

mancenillier, 290 

manchineel, 274,276 

mmchioneel, 276 

mancinillier, 276 

mandarina, 218 

mandicqueira, 428 

manero, 258 

manga, 290 

mangab6, 428 

mangel, 390, 392 

mangel blancu, 300, 478 

mange1 tan, 384 

mnngeniel, 276 

manggabaom, 290 

manggel con, 320 

manggo, 290 

Magifera indica, 286, 288 

mangle, 384, 390, 392 

mangle amartllo, 392 

mangle blane. 392, 478 

mangle blanco, 12, 392, 478 

mangle bobo, 392, 478 

mangle both, 12. 390 

mangle botoncillo, 390 

mangle caballero, 384 

mangle colorado, 12, 384 

mangle de chifle. 384 

mangle garbancillo. 390 

mangle gateador. 384 

mangle gris, 390 

mangle iaanero. 478 

mangle injerto, 384 

mangle jelf, 390 

mande lloroso, 390 

mangle marequlta, 300,392 

mangle m8daille. 206 

mangle negro. 12. 300, 478 

mangle noir, 384 

mangle pifluelo, 390 

mangle prieto. 390, 392, 476, 478 

mangle rojo, 384' 

manwle rosado, 478 

mangle ronqe, 384 

mangle salado, 384, 478 

mangle tomido. 390 

mangle zapatero, 384 

manglecita. 478 

manglier. 854.890 

manalier blanc. 392 

manglier chandelle, 384 

manglier gris, 300 

manelier noir. 478 

mandier rouce, 884 

mandillo. 432 

mango, 288, 290 

mango. wild. 448 

MANGOSTEEN FAMILY, 348 

mancot, 290 

mangotine. 290 

mangro, 384 

mangove, 384, 476 

mangove. black, 384 

MANGROVE FAMILY, 384 

mangrove, red, 384 

manye, 290,300,392 

mangue branco, 300,392 

mangue de botilo, 300 

mangue sapateiro, 384 

nlangue vermelho, 384 

mangueira, 290 

mnnguei. 394 

manguier, 290 

mani kwaha, 350 

Manila-tamarind, 102 

Hartilkara balata, 444 

Manilkaro bidentata, 12, 13, 14, 430, 

444 

Xanilkara etnurginata, 446 

Jlanilkara driplicata, 444 

Hanflkara jabtiqtri, 446 

AIanitkara nit ida, 444 

Alanllkara pleeana, 444 

Manilkara riedlcana, 444 

ManiUrora zopota, 436, 446 

Manilkara zapotilla, 446 

manja, 290 

manjack, 472,474 

manjack, mucilage, 474 

manjack, pink, 408 

manjack, red, 472 

manjack, white, 474 

mannie botieie. 434 

mano de le6n, 130,426 

mano de oso, 426 

manteco, 256,258,432 

manteco blanco, 432,434 

manteco de aya, 256 

manteco merey, 258 

manteco sabanero, 256 

mantequero, 432, 434 

mantequito, 432 

manu, 240 

manzalinja, 276 

manzana, 402,404 

manzsnn de Faiti, 404 

manzana de oro, 292 

manzana de Otahitl, 292 

manzana malaya, 404 

manzann rosa, 402 

manzanilla, 276 

manzanillo, 274, 284 

manznnillo de costa, 276 

inanzanillo de playa, 276 

manzanlta de rosa, 402 

mapahuite, 254 

luap6n. 62 

mapola, 106 

mapoo. 02 

mapou, 00,334,474 

nlapou gris, 90,460 

mappoo. 90 

mapurito, 232 

mara, 238,350 

maranga calalG, 134 

maranguey, 30 

marafl6n, 288 

marnfi6n de Curaao, 404 

marnK6n lapones, 404 

maraquil, 302 

marchucha, 502 

marequito, 880 

marill, 372 

3largadtaria nobilie, 282 

Jfargaritarfa nobflle var. atttllturtll, 

282 

maria, 12, 348. 350 

marfa angola, 620 

marlberq, Quadeloupe, 430 

maricao, 256, 346 

maricao eimarr6n. 258 

maricao verde, 258, 346 

Marie-Jeanne, 254 

marlo, 350 

mariposa, 168 

marmalade-box, 612 

marup&, 428 

masa 240 

masaqullla, 58 

mastate blanco, 64 

mastic, 454 

mastic-bully, 454 

mastic-tree, 238 

Maatichoderuiron foetidieaimurn, 454 

niastmood, 454 

mata caimdn, 192 

mata de chivo, 308 

mata piofo, 244 

mats-ratbn, 196, 198 

mata-sermno, 354 

matnboy, 200 

mataburro, 180 

matakki. 386 

mntatauba, 428 

Matayba domingenais, 14, 304 

,Ilatazfba omoeitffolia. 304 

. -- 

mate, 492 

mntico falso, 60 

m&Mllo. 202 

mato, 202 

mato colorado, 146 

matuhua, 462 

mauricef, 256 

3faxlmilianca vitijolia, 860 

mnximilier, 276 

.lfauesea amilllllora. 458 

mazaptin, 62 

meerilang. 412 

MELABTOHATACEAE, 418 

3lELASTOJIE FAMILY, 418 

Melia azedaraclr. 242, 246 

.UELIACEAB, 242 

llfeticocca bijuga, 306 

Melicoccua bijugatua, 302, 306 

Meliosma herbertii, 14, 314 

MelCoema obtustfolfa, 314 

melbn, 2l6 

melbn zapote, 376 

memiso, 68 

memlso de paloma, 58 

memizo cimnrrbn, 56.58 

memizo de mnjagua, 56 

mereke, 288 

merey, 258,288 

merisier, 406 

merlsier petites feuilles, 412 

merisier rouge, 406 

mesa, 48 mespel. 446 

mespel, wild, 442 

mesquit-tree, 168 

mesquite, 166, 168 

mestizo, 246 

Metopium toxiferum, 286, 290 

hfexiean-cedar, 244 

BfEZEREON FAMILY, 380 

mezquite, 168 

miche, 192 

Aficonia fwcolata, 422 

JIicot~ia impetiolarb, 4!2 

Jficonia lacvigata, 422 

illfcmia lanata. 422 

Klcmia pach~phvlla, 422 

Miconia prasina, 418, 422

Kiconia punctata. 422 

Jliconia ~ltctwncura. 422 , 

Kiconia iacentosa. 422 

AIiconia rubiginosa, 422 

AIiconia sitl.tenisii, 422 ) 

Jficonia subcoqmbosa, 422 

Micmtia tetrandra, 422 

Micoda thontasiana, 422 

Micropholia chrysophylloides, 14, 448 

Nicropltolia curvata, 448 

fificropholis garciniaefolia, 14, 450 

Affcropholts portoricemi8 var. curvata, 

448 

mije, 406 

mijico, 442 

milkbush, 464 

milktree, 460 

MILKWORT FAMILY, 260 

milky-bush, 460 

milky-iron, 436 

mille branches, 282 

millerwood, 836 

millo, 282 

mimbre, .54 

mimosa, 156 

MIMOSA SUBFAMILY, 142 

mimosa. West Indies. 156 

mimosa; wild, 156 

IVZdlOSACIiJAE, 142 

MIAIOSOZDEAE, 142 

Afimuaops balata, 444 

AIimusops bidentata, 444 

AIlntueope domingensb, 444 

Nimusope ricdleana, 444 

AIimusopo tieberl, 444 

mtsanteca, Gulf, 114 

Kisanteca triandra, 114 

misanteco, 114 

mispel, 446 

mispelboom, 446 

mispu, 446 

moca, 188,190 

moca blanca, 190 

rnochigUiste, 162 

mocmayn, 384 

moelerl, 256 

moho, blue. 326 

molinillo, 276,336 

mombin, 294 

mombin blltard. 254 

mombin espagnol, 292 

mombin franc, 294 

mombin fruits jaunes. 294 

mombin, purple, ZQ4, 296 

mombin, red, 290 

mombin rouge, 296 

mombin. m ell ow, 294 

monbe. 294 

monbin, 294 

monbinier, 294 

mondururu preto. 422 

mon+ollano. 162 

monkey-apple, 352 

monkey-goblet, 352 

monkey-pistol. 278 

monkeypod, 166 

Montezuma grattdiflora. 328 

Montezuma specfos&eima, 13,326,328 

monval. 168 

mope, isa 

mopp& 294 

MORACEAE, 60 

moral. 474 

morai de paz. 474 

moralbn, 78 

moriengo, 134 

morinda, 518 

Morinda citrifolia, a. 518 

moringa, 134 

Murittga morfitga, 134 

Moringa oleifera, 134 

AIoritago pterygorperma, 134 

AIORZNQACEAE, 134 

morotot6, 428 

morro, 490 

moruro, 160 

moruro prieto, 160 

monlro rojo, 160 

mostacilla, 13 

mother-of-cocoa, 196 

motillo, 324 

moth, 100 

mountaincabbage. 44 

mountain-palm, 42 

moutouclii de savane, 208 

muche, 148 

muchichilbn, 58 

mucutena. 208 

muerto, 210 

mulato. 110, 236 

hIULBERRY FAMILY. 60 

mullaca colorado, 422 

mullu caspi, 422 

mulungd, 196 

muiieco, 470, 472 

murta, 400 , 

mdsico, 148 

muskwood, American, 244 

mutamba, 340 

mututy, 208 

muyozapot, 446 

Nurcia berberis. 410 

Nyrcia cltrtfolia, 410 

Myrcia deflexa, 14, 396, 410 

Jf@rcfa f erruginea, 410 

Bfurcia leptoclada, 410 

Nyrcia paganii, 410 

Yyrcia splendene, 412 

myrobalane, 294 

BIYRSZNACEAE, 430 

myrsine, 434 

3IYRSINE FAMILY, 430 

NYRTACEAE, 396 

myrte, 406 

MYRTLE FAMILY, 396 

nabaco, 510 

nacascol, 168 

Nageia coriacea, 30 

naked-boy. 238 

naked-Indian. 238 

naked-mood, 316, 318 

nance, 258 

nance agrio, 258 

nance verde, 258 

nanche, 258 

nancite, 258 

nancito, 258 

Aandipii, 612 

naranga, 220 

naranja, 226 

naranja Acida, 220 

naranja agria, 220 

naranjn cajera, 220 

naranja de China. 226 

naranja dulce. 226 

naranjo, 226 

naranjo amargo, 220 

naranjo comdn, 226 

naseberry, 446 

nazareno, 180 

Nectandra aittillana. 116 

Nectandra coriacea, 13,110,116 

nectandra, Jamaica, 116 

Nectandra krugii, 110 

Kectandra mombranacea, 116 

Nectandra patens, 116 

Nectandra sintenisii, 116 

negra lora, 108, 304 

Neltunta juliflora 108 

nemocd, 124 - / 2 b 

nemocb cimarr6n. 126 

nemoch macho, 126 

nettle-tree. Jamaican. 58 

nicte de-monte, 462 . 

nightshade, 488 

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 488 

nichtshade. mullein. .488 

niya, 518' 

ntiio de cota, 346 

niopa, 158 

Niopa peregrina, 158 

niopo, 158 

nispero, 446 

nispero cimarrbn, 456 

nistamal, 282 

'njoe fodoe, 360 

noba, 296 

noix d'acajou, 288 

noix de coco, 40 

noni, 518 

noro, 258 

nosegay, 462 

noyer, 228 

nuez moscada, 124 

nuel; mo~cadn cimarronn, 124 

nuez moscada del nab. 124 

nuez moscada maiho, 124,126 

nune, 278 

NYCTAGZNACEAE. 88 

ochohb, 278 

Ochroma blcolor, 336 

Ochronla boliviana. 836 

Ochrmua grandfflora, 336 

Oohroma lagopua, 336 

Ochroma lagopus var. bicolor, 330 

Ochroma Ilmonensk, 336 

Oohroma obtusa, 836 

Ochroma peruvfana, 836 

Ochroma pyramfdale. 13, 14, 334 

Ochroma tomentosa, 836 

Ochroma velutina, 336 

Ocotea mteabyana, 116 

Ocotea coriacea, 116 

Ocotea cuneata, 110, 118 

Ocotea floribunda. 110. 120 

Ocotea foaicrilacea, 118 

ocotea, Jamaica, 116 

Ocotea leucoxylon, 14, 110, 122 

Ocotea moschata, 14, 110, 124 

Ocotea portoricenuis, 118 

Ocotea rodiaei, 514 

Ocotea spathulata, 14, 110, 126 

Ocotccm Mghtii, 118 

ocuje, 350 

ocuje colorado, 350 

of6n criollo, 486 

ohia, 404 

okra. 326 

ocuje, 350 

OLEACRAI, 458 

olive-bark-tree, 888 

OLIVE FAMILY, 458 

olive, mild, 386,414 

olhier grand bois, 886 

olivier montagne, 298 

olivier, yellow, 386 

olivo. 132

orange, 226 

orange amere, 220 

orange, bigarade, 220 

orange, bitter, 220 

orange douce, 226 

orange grosse-peau, 220 

orange, mandarin, 218 

orange, Seville, 220 

orange, sour, 220, 226 

orange sore, 220 

orange, sweet, 220,226 

orchid, poor man's 170 

orchidtree, plnk, 170 

oreganillo, 138 

orengga, 134 

orme d'Amerique, 340 

orme petites feuilles, 56 

Ormouia krugii, 14, 188, 200 

oronoque, 194 

orselli, 134 

ortegbn, 78, SO, 94 

orumo macho, 428 

orvi, 288 

otaheita, 330 

Otaheiteapple. 292.401 

Otaheite-gooseberry, 280 

Otaheite-plum, 292 

oysterwood, 272 

oysterwood, shiny, 272 

ozda, 414 

paaloe sieja doesji, 238 

paaloe siej 1 maatsjoe, 238 

pabito. 370 

pacay, 190 

Pacir ylobtra Acxandrrru, 240 

pacbn, 308 

pac6n cuyus, 308 

pncdn, 308 

padank, 204 

gadauk, Burma-coast, 204 

padauk, India, 204 

padero, 428 

pain d'bpice. 452 

pain-in-bnck, 56 

painkiller, 518 . 

pa jarobobo, 54 

pajuil, 286 

palal, 150 

palbtuvier, 200,390,392,478 

palbtuvier blanc, 478 

~)aletuvier gris; 390 

paletavier rouge, 384 

palinguhn, 132 

i)alissandre, 182 

PALM FABZILY. 34 

palm, prickly, 34 

palm, sierra, 14, 40 

palma boba, 42 

palma de abmico. 46 

palma de coco, 38, 40 

palma de cogollo, 46 

palma de corozo, 34 

palma de costa, 44 

palma de coyor, 36 

palma de Iluvia, 42 

palma de manacla, 42 -' 

palma de sierra, 40 . 

palma de sombrero, 46 

~)allila de yaguas, 44 

pnlma justa, 42 

palma real, 34, 44 

PALUAE. 34 

palmera de coco, 40 

palmera sin espinas, 28 

palmetto. Bermuda. 46 

palmetto, Puerto Rim, 46 

palmilla, 28 

palmiste h chapelet, 42 

palo maria, 350 

palmhte blanc, 42 

pal0 misnnteco, 114 

palmiste franc, 42 

palo mu jer, 264 

palmiste montagne, 42 

palo mulato, 236 

palo amargo, 254, 282, 308, 318, 46.1 palo-p6lrora. 58 

palo amarillo, 368 

palo pulato, 236 

palo blanco, 268, 386, 368, 370 palo prieto, 194 

palo bobo, 00, 136, 104, 360, 466 palo rajador, 370 

pal0 chino, 230,238 

palo retinto, 236 

palo colorrdo, 298 

palo rubio, 232 

palo de abejas, 134 

palo salvaje, 364 

palo de aceite, 240 

palo santo. 118,194,212,214,426 

palo de aceituna, 208 

palo seco, 200 

palo de anastasio, 254 

palo tabaco, 474 

pa10 cle balsa, 336 

paloma, 208 

palo de boya, 196 

paloverde, 180 

pal0 de burro, 190, 426 

paloverde, i\leuican, 180 - 

palo de cabra, 58,450 

paltn, 128 

palo de cabrilla, 56 

palto, 128 

palo de cachumba, 426 

palu dl cashupete, 288 

palo de corcho, 92 

palu di frut'i pan, 62 

pal0 de cotona, 370 

palu santu, 330 

palo de cotorra, 264,520 

pama, 426 

palo de cruz, 356, 462 - 

pamashto, 444 

palo de cucubano, 514 

Damplemousse, 224 

palo de clajao, 514,516 

pan, 02 

palo de danta. 426 

[)an de fruta. 62 

palo de doncella, 256 

pan de trigo, 254 

palo de gallina, 261 

pan mango, 448 

palo de garrocha, 336 

pana, 62 

palo de goma, 64, 68, 472 

pana cimarrona, 02,428 

pa10 de gnitarra, 480 

pana de pepitas, 60 

mlo de hierro, 198,210,320,510 pana forastera. 62 

pnlo de hoeso, 272,458 

l~anamfi, 310 

palo de incienso, 236 

panama-tree, 340 

palo de jaqueca, 330 

panapen, 60 

palo de Jazmin, 508 

panelo, 156 

palo de la cruz, 308,402 

Paneque, 232 

palo de lana. 336 

pnpachilla, 520 

palo de leche, 270,464 

papa jahoedoe, 428 

palo de maria, 3ij0 

papno, 376 

palo de mato, 146 

papaturro, 82 

palo de matoe, 200 

papaturro extranjero, 62 

pa10 de millo, 282 

papaw, 376 

palo de misanteco, 114 

papaw, wild, 68 

Palo de muleta, 400 

papay, 316 

mlo de mufieca, 472 

papaya, 374, 376 

palo de mafieco, 464 

PAPAYA FAMILY, 374 

palo de navldad, 520 

Papaye. 376 

Pa10 de orquideas, 170 

napayer, 376 

1)alo de pan, 02 

3apayill0, 340 

palo de peje, 234 

papayo, 290, 376 

palo de perico, 92 

3apnyo calentano, 376 

palo de peronfa, 202 

lapay6n, 428 

palo de geronias, 202 

InPaYote. 360 

palo de pez, 234 

)apelite. 370 

palo de pollo, 206, 4!28 

~apillon, 208 

palo de polio negro, 426 

~arudise-tree, 248 

Palo de quiiia, 508 

~araiso, 134,248 

palo de rayo, 180 

3arafso blanco, 134 

palo de sabana, 432 

Iaraiso de EspaBa, 134 

palo de sable. 428 

>aralso frands, 134 

palo de sal. 3D2.478 

paralalratia portorfcensis. 452 

polo de seca. 190 

mraparo. 308 

palo de tea, 216 

Iarata, 444 

palo de toro, 510 

>ardillo, 468 

palo de tortuga, 260 

>aresol, 474 

palo dc vaca, 208, 420, 466 

larich, 158 

palo de violeta, 200 

~ariti. 326 

palo de yagua, 364 

Darititrm tiliaceutn, 328 

1)nlo de ynca, 270 

Darkinsonia acdeata, 168,180 

mlo.diablo, 132,320 

~arrot-apple, 352 

1)alo yitaro. 426 

lama, 478 

pa10 hediondo, 200 

~asllla, 248 

1~alo-jab6n, 308 

)ata de danta, 340 

palo jeringa, 134 

)ata de vaca, 170,254 

palo jiote, 23s 

latabdn, 392 

palo 1lorJn. 804 

)atnb&n de monte, 1%

Pictetia aculeata, 13, 202 

plum-rose, 402 

pati, 492 . 

pigeon-berry, 466 

plum, St. Vincent. 198 

pntillo, 302 

pigeon-feed, 478 

plume, Napoleon's, 170 

patte lapin, 336 

pigeon-plum, 76 

Pltrnaeria acutifolfa, 462 

uau de cortume. 250 

pigeon-~vnod, 340,460,466 

Plumeria alba, 13, 460, 462 

i)au santo, 212 

piginio. 256 

Pltrmeria krugii, 460 

pau tento, 146 

pij. 272 

Plumcria obtusa, 460 

paucipan, red, 462 

pilclie, 492 

Plumeria portoricenaie, 460 

paujf, 144,180 

Piloccretrx royenii, 370 

Plumeria rubra, 460, 462 

pnva, 428 

pilbn, 190 

Pltrrneria tricolor, 462 

parilla, 428 

Pfnlenta acrfs. 414 

Pltcmiera. see Plun~crfa. 460 

pawpaw. 376 

Pitnotfa acri8 vnr. grisea, 414 

~bniierfa, see ~lrcmeria,480 

PEA SUBFAMILY, 188 

Pitj~enta dioica, 414 

pluniillo, 160 

pea-tree, 12,198 

Pin~enta oflclnalia, 414 

pochote, 264,334,860 

pear, 128 

Pintenfa pimcnta, 414 

podocarp, 30 . 

pear-tree, 128 

Pimenfa racemoaa, 396, 414 

podocarpus, 30 

oeetsch-kitam. 520 

Pinterrla ruccttlosa var. grisea, 414 Podocarpus coriaceus, 14, 30 

pel&, 144 

pimienta, 216,280,414 

poinciana, 176 

pellejo de indlo, 236 

piniientn cle Tabasco, 414 

Poinciana regia, 176 

peloto, 190 

pin d'rlastmile, 48 

poinciana, royal, 176 

peltophorum, 182 

pine, wild, 30 

poincinna, yellow, 182 

Peltop11 orum fcrrugineum, 182 pine, wild pitch, 30 

poirier, 210,498 

Peltophorum inerme, 168, 182 pinhn, 104 

poirier blanc, 498 

Peliophortrm rorburgltii, 182 

1)inipiniche. 276 

poirier gris, 498 

pellia, 420 

pink-cedar, 498 

poirier rouge, 498 

penda, 478,480 

pino, 48 

pois doux, 150,154 

pendare, 444 

pino nustraliano, 48 

pois doux Q paille, 154 

phndula, 478, 480, 486 

pino de Austrnlia, 48 

pois doux blnnc, 150 

pendula blanca, 486 

plno macho, 230,232 

pois doux poilu, 154 

pendula de sierra, 478 

pintjo, 422 

pois sucrin, 154 

penny-piece, 452 

pinturero, 282 

pois vallicr, 208 

~eonln. 146 

pifin de pnerto, 518 

poison-guava, 276 

~epermortelboom, 134 

pifir-pifii. 508 

poison lasinette, 160 

pew, 308 

piilbn, 192 

poison-ivy, 290 

PEPPER FAMILY, 50 

plii6n amoroso, 198 

poison-oak. 290 

pera, 404 

piildn de cercn, 192 

poisontree, 290 

peralejn, 258 

piiidn de Cuba, 198 

poisontree, Florida, 290 

peralejo, 256,258 

piii6n de pito, 192 

poisontree, West Indies, 200 

peralej3 blanco. 258 

piiidn de sombra, 196 

polsonwood, 290 

peralej~ de pinar, 256 

piiihn dcl cauto, 194 

pokhout, 212 

peralejn de sabana, 258 

piiihn esplnoso, 192 

polak, 33% 

perico, 92 

pifi6n florido, 198 

polisandro, 184 

perlas, 134 

piiidn frnnchs, 194 

0110, 426 

pernilla de casa, 192 

pifidn violento, 198 ! olygala cowellli, 13, 260 

peronfa, 202 

piojillo, 298 

POLYGALACEAE. 260 

peroniae, 144 

piojito, 298 

POLYQONBCEAE, 76 

peronfas chatas, 146 

Piper aduncum, 50 

pomagada, 404 

peronilla, 192 

PIPERSCE.4 E. 50 

pomaghs. 404 

peronlo, 192 

pinemood. 866,368 

pomarrosa, 15, 402 

Rersea americana, 110, 128 

Piptadenia peregrina, 158 

pomarrosa de Malaca, 404 

Pcrsea gratissima, 128 

plragua, 210 

pomnrrosa malnya, 404 

Persea Rrugii, 128 

pIsamo, 194, 196 

pomelo, 218,224 

Pwsea peraea, 128 

11isclmo txlentndo, 194 

pomerac, 404 

pessegueiro bravo, 256 

Pisonia albida, 13,88 

pomme cajou, 288 

petit bouls, 436 

Piaonia f raqrans. 92 

pamme cannelle, 104 

petit carmite, 436 

Pisonia subcordata, 90 

pomme cythhre, 292 

petit coco, 324,520 

pisquin, 148 

pomme d'acajou, 288 

petit merisier, 412 

plstnche des Tndes, 340 

pomme de Cythere, 292 

petite-feuille, 410 

pitanga, 400 

pomme de Malaide, 404 

petites raquettes, 378 

pitnngueira, 400 

pomme de Tahiti, 404 

petitia, 482 

pitarrillo, 296 

pomme malac, 404 

Petitia domingensis, 13, 476, 482 pitch-anole, 352 

pomme pain, 452 

peuplier, 54 

Pithecellobiurn arboreum, 14. 142, 160 pomme rose, 402 

Phancra voricgata. 170 

Pfthecellob~um duke. 142. 162 pomme surelle, 280 

PAleboiacnia cozoellii, 260 

Pithecellobiurn sarnan, 142. 164 pommerak, 404 

Pkoebe elongata, 116 

Pitlrccrllobftrm uwgtti8-cati. 162 pommeroos, 402 

PhyUanthus acidus, 282, 280 

Pithecolobium, see Pitllecellobtum, 160 pommier d'acajou, 288 

Phyllantlitts antfllan~s, 282 

pito, 34,192,194 

pommier rose, 402 

Pkyllanthus diatlchm, 280 

pito de peronilla, 192 

pomo. 402 

Plt~llanilius grandifolius, 280 

Phyllanthua jtlgl~?tdif0li~8,280 

pito extrnnjero, 196 

pomshock, 150 

Phyllanthus nobilk, 262, 282 

plto gigante. 196 

pond-apple, 98 

Phyllanthus nobill8 var. antillanua, pit6n. 192 

popa-w, 68 

popfnac, white. 156 

282 

pirijay, 72 

Poponaa macracanthofdce, 144 

pica-pica, 362 

pixoy, 340 

Poponax tortuoea, 144 

pichones. 62 

platendo, 508 

por6.194 

pico de flamenco, 208 

platinillo de Cuba. 50 

poroporo, 300 

Picrcmutia pentandra, 234 

plum-bush, 294 

portiatree, 330

possentrie, 278 

possumtree, 278 

possumwood, 278 

poui, pink, 500 

Poutcria chr~sopA~lloide8,448 

Pouteria dictuonerira, 452 

Pouteria garclniaefolia, 450 

Pouteria multiflora, 452 

prickle-bush, 520. 

prickly-ash, Martinique, 230 

prickly-ash, yellow, 232 

prickly-ash, yellowheart, 228 

prickly-yellow, 230 

prieklypear, 378 

prideof-China, 248 

pride-of-India, 248,382 

prieto, 200 

princewood, 508 

princewood, Caribbean, 508 

probado, 428 

Prosopfs el~ilenst8,168 

Prosopis juliflora, 15,166 

prune cyth8re. 292 

prune d7Espagne, 296 

prune du Chili, 296 

prune jaune, 2W 

prune mombin, 294 

nmne Nvrobolnn. 294 

:rune roige, 296 ' 

prunier mombin. 294 

Puidium guaiavo, 13, 398, 416 

pterocarpus,-204 

Pterocarpus draco, 208 

Pterocarpus indicm. 188, 204 

Pterocarpus officinalis, 13, 188, 206 

puctC,388 

pudding-pipe-tree, 170 

pun~melo, 218; 224 

pump, 360 

pumpum juche, 360 

pumpwood, 68 

punchberry, 412 

punta de ral, 368 

punteral, 370 

pur yo, 444 

purio fangar. 108 

purio prieto, 108 

purple-plum, 296 

puyeque, 478 

pyinma, 382 

Quararibaea turbinata, 336 

quebracha, 312 

quebracho, 310,320 

queen-flower, 382 

queensf-flowers, 382 

quenepa, 306 

qubnbpe, 308 

quenette, 306 

quenettier, 306 

qui, 168 

quick-stick, 198 

quiebra-hacha, 312,320 

qulebrahaca, 400 

quillo-sisa, 360 

quina, 504, 608 

quina criolla, 508 

quina del pnis, 234 

quina roja, 501 

quinlila, 444 

quinilla colorada, 444 

quinquina carabe, 508 

quhquina pys, 508 

quinquina piton, 508 

quira, 190 

qniwche, 144 

rabo rathn, 364 

rabo junco, 364 

raboe die kabasi, 520 

raintree, 164 

raisin bord-demer, 82 

raisin la mer, 82 

rnisln marron, 76 

raisitiier bord-de-mer, 82 

raisinier grandes-feuilles. 78 

raisitiler montagne, 30 

ranla menuda, 412 

ram6n. 272 

ramdn de caballo, 426 

rambn de costa, 426 

rnmbn de vaca. 426 

ra~non macho, i82 

rnmoncillo, 254 

Randia aculeata, 13, 504. 520 

Raptclia ac~rleata var. mitts. 520 

Randia n~itis, 520 

Rapanea ferruginea, 430.432 

rapanea, Guiana, 434 

Rapanea guianeneia, 430, 434 

rascnso, 270 

raspador, 58 

rat-bean, 132 

ratbn, 210,304 

ratonera, 198 

Rauvolfia tantarekid, 464 

Raitvolfia nitida, 13, 480, 464 

raurolfia, smooth, 464 

Rauvolfia tctrapli~lla. 464 

Rauz:olfla viridis. 464 

Rarizoolfia. see Rauvolpa, 464 

red-birch, 238 

redcedar, 244,254 

reddle, 180 

redplum, 296 

redwood, 210,246 

redwood. ridge. 210 

redwood; swGp, 210 

rCglisse, 146 

reina de las flores. 382 

reqda, 246 

resbalo mono, 236 

resedi, 134 

resotu montagne, 512 

resuelesuele, 520 

retama, 180, 198, 502 

retamo, 254 

RHA JTNICEAE, 316 

Rheedia acumtnata, 366 

RReedia he88if, 356 

Rheedia portoricensis, 348, 356 

Rhizophora mangle, 12, 384 

Rhizophora manpls var. samoensis, 

384 

~hizo~hora samoenuis,884 

RHIZOPHORACEAE, 384 

rhubnrbe enrafbe, 518 

Rhu8,290 

Ribee grossularia, 280 

rima, 62 

robe, 292 

roble, 12,498 

roble agalla, 234 

roble amarillo, 478, 502 

roble blanco, 428,498 

roble eimarr6n, 496 * 

roble colorado, 496.500 

roble de costa, 498 

roble de guayo. 406 

roble de olor, 486 

roble de sierra, 500 

roble de yugo, 498 

roble guayo, 466,482,480 

roble gClira, 800 

roble prieto, 500 

rode kabbes, 190 

rode locus, 180 

rodwood, 406 

rodwood, red, 412 

roldtin, 216 

ro16n, 162 

Ronrleletio inermle, 522 

RondeIetIa pilosa, 522 

Rondeletia portoriceneb, 504, 522 

rosa amarilla, 360 

rosa china, 360 

rosa de Maxirniliano,360 

rosa imperial, 360 

ROSACEAH, 140 

rose-apple, 402 

ROSE FAMILY, 140 

rose-marie, 512 

rose-of-Peru, 360 

roseof-Sharon, 360 

roselle, 280 

roseta, 324 

rosewood, 204,256 

rosewood, white, 458 

roucou, 358 

roucouyer, 358 

royalpalm, 44 

royalpalm, Cuban, 44 

royalpalm, Puerto Ria, 44 

Rogstonea borinquena, 34, 44 

Ro~stonca regla, 44 

rubber, 64 

rubber, castilla, 64 

rubber, cnstilloa, 64 

rubber, Central American, 60 

rubber, Parit. 64,68 

rubber-plant, 68 

rubber-plant, India, 68 

rubber-tree, India, 68 

rubia, 232 

RUBIACnAE, 504 

mcu, 358 

RUE FANILY, 216 

ruffle-palm, coyure, 36 

ruibnrbn, 502 

ruri, 354 

RUTACEAE, 216 

Babal bennudana, 46 

Ba bal blackburnianum, 46 

Sabal causiarum, 34, 46 

sabana kwari moeleidan. 258 

sabana kwarie, 286 

sabana mango, 258 

SABIA FABI ILT, 314 

SABIACBAE. 314 

sabicd. 160 

sabicd de pinares, 138 

sabicd marafi6n,138 

sabicd moruro, 160 

sabina macho, 298 

sabino, 96 

sabinbn, 266 

sabller, 278 

sablito, 428 

saboeiro, 808 

saboneteiro, 808 

aabroso, 206 

sacha-uva, 428 

sackysac, 150 

sacmuda, 370 

sacuanjoche, 462 

saffron-tree, 440 

saibo, 196 

saijhan, 134 

Saint John, 134 

-- ~, ---

salsai, 138 

salvo, 186 

salaam, 408 

salado, 478 

salaster, 134 

salgueiro, 54 

SALICACEAE, 54 

SaUx chilensis,54 

Salir humboldtiana, 54 

salmwood. 468 

salao, 54 

saltbush, 478 

saltpond-tree, 478 

salvadera, 278 

samaguare. 164 

samin, 148, 164, 166 

samana, 166 

Samanea arborea, 160 

Samanea eaman, 166 

Sam Arrdr68,502 

San Bartolomd, 470 

sandalwood, red, 146 

sandbok, 276, 278 

sandbox-tree, 278 

sandcoker, 194 

sanders, yellow. 386 

sang dragon, 206 

sangre, 208 

sangre de drago, 206 

sangregado, 206 

sangrillo,206 

sangrito, 206 

sanguinaria, 442 

santa maria, 330,350 

santa-marip, 348, 350 

santo, 422 

saonn cimarrona, 322 

saonn de puerco, 322 

sapatija, 446 

SAPINDACEAE, 8M 

Sapindus oaponaria, 302, 308 

Sapium lauroceraslur, 13, 14, 282, 284 

sapo. 182 

sapodilla, 446 

SAPODILLA FAMILY. 436 

sapodille, 446 

Sapota achras, 446 

SAPOTACEAE, 436 

sapote, 440 

sapotl, 446 

sapotilha, 446 

saptilie, 446 

sapotillier, 446 

sapotillier marron, 442,444 

sapotillier noir, 444 

saramuya. 104 

Sarcomplt alus domingensia, 322 

Sareomphalue reticulutm, 13,316, 322 

Sarcompltalrrs ta.ylori€, 322 

sardine, 422 

sardinillo, 502 

sarnilla, 870 

sasafrbs. 118 

satinleaf, 440 

satinwood, 228 

satinwood, Jamaican, 228 

satinwood, West Indian, 228 

sauce, 48, 54, 180 

sauce amargo, 64 

sauce blanco, 54 

sauce chileno, 64 

sauce colorado, 54 

sauce criollo, 54 

sauce esplno, 180 

sadco amnrillo, 502 

aaQeo cimarr6n, 300 

saule, 64 

sauquillo, so0 

savonetapel, 808 

SOAPBERRY FAMILY, 902 

savonette, 200 

soapberry, wingleaf, 308 

snvonette grand bois, 200 

soapseed, 308 

snvonette jaune, 200 

soapseed-tree, 308 

savonette montagne, 308 

SOLAhrdCEdE, 488 

savonette mousseuse, 308 

Solarurw aseerun~. 488 

savonette pays, 308 

Solanum d;umopdflunt, 488 

savonette, white, 200 

Solanum erianthunt, 488 

savonettier, 308 

Solanum melongma, 488 ' 

savonier. 308 

Solanum ruaosum. 488 

savonnette mandes feuilles, 200 solavtum tubiwosum. 488 

savonnette ririhre, 200 

Solanum vcrbascifoliun&, 488 

sawn, 512 

soldierwood, 318 

Sciacassia sianwa, 174 

solera. 468 

scopappel, 104 

sombra de armado, 370 

Scotch-attorney, 352 

sombra de conejo, 370 

Scotchman, 352 

so~ribra de ternero, 472 

seagrape, 82 

seagmpe, grandleaf, 78 

seagrape, pigeon, 76 

seaside-grape, 82 

b'ebesterc rickseckeri, 470 

Scbestol scbeetet~a, 470 

sebudn, 376, 470 

selele beletere, 422 

senna, apple-blossom, 172 

senna, golden-shower, 170 

senna, jointwood, 172 

senna, Siamese, 174 

sepl, 488 

seriba, 478 

sepllna, 170 

serrasuela, 310, 312, 514 

serrazuela, 400 

serrette, 256 

serrette, savanna, 268 

serrucho, 300 

Seehan, see Seehania, 208 

Sesbania grandiflora, 188, 208 

shack-shack, 148,156 

shnddock, 218,224 

shahuay, 162 

shambu, 358 

shellseed, 360 

shin~billo. 152 

shower-of-gold, 170 

shower, pink-and-white, 172 

shower, Siamese, 174 

shupdrai. 246 

Sideroxylon foetid~simum, 12,13,436, star-giiseberry; 280 

454 

Statolobiun~ Ccisum, 502 

Sidcrox~lon ntastichodendron, 454 Stenolobium stam, 502 

Sideroxulon portorfcenee, 454 

Stcnostomum acutatum, 804 

Sideroxulnnr, see Sideroxylon, 454 ' Stcnostomum coriaccum, 504 

sieja blanko, 238 

Sto~ostmum deneifIorunz, 524 

sienlpre-rirn, 180 

Stc?iosfomum Iuddum, 604 

niete-cueros. 282,478 

Stenostonzum obtuet~olirrm, 504 

siwnrnya, 116,2;T4 

Statostontum portoricensc, 506 

silk-cotton-tree, 332, 384 

Stcnoetmrcm stntenisii, B01 

silverballi, brown, 468 

sterappel, 438 

BIMAROUBACEAE, 234 

Stercdia apetala, 388, 340 

nimlri, 180 

Btercutia carthagtnenuir, 840 

uinaasappels. 226 

STERCULIACEAE, 838 

singer-tree. 148 

stinking-toe, 180 

siris-tree. 148 

stopper, 400,408 

slris, white, 150 

stopper, bastard, 482 

siriuba, 478 

stopper, red, 406 

Sloanea antugdalinu, 324 

strangler-fig, 352 

Sloanea berteriana, 14, 324 

subin, 144 

slog-wood, 110 

wbinche, 144 

slug-:-wood, 110 

small-leaf, 

sdchil, 462 

412 

small-leaf-grape, 84 

sucrier, 154 

snake-bark, common. 316 

sucrin, 154 

snakebark, smooth, 318 

sugar-apple, 104 

snake-wood, 68,316 

sugary-nape, 84 

soaptree, 808 

suifin, 194 

soapberry. 308 

sulfatillo, 180 

sopaipo, 322 

SODO sirie, 308 

sorsaka, 100 

sotn cabrillo, 520 

soursap, 100 

soursop, 100 

soursop, mountain, 98 

soursop, wild, 98 

South-American-cedar, 244 

Spanish-cedar, 242, 244 

Spanish-cork, 330 

Spanish-elm. 468 

Spanish-lime, 306 . 

Spanish-oak, 160 

Spanish-plum, 296 

Spatltodea campanulafa, 16,490,494 

Spondia8 cimttclla, 296 

Spondias cytlierea, 292 

Spondias dulcls, 286, 292 

Spondias ltttea, 204 

Spondias mombin, 286, 294, 298 

Spondlas purpurea, 286, 294, 296 

Spondias purprtrea forma lutca, 296 

won-tree, 466 

spruce, 468 

spurge, broadleaf, 270 

SPURGE FAMILY. 262 

Stahlia maritima. 184 

Stahlia monoape;ma, 13, 168, 184 

STAPHYLEACEAH, 300 

star-apple. 436. 438 

star-atinlei wild. 448

sulfato, 180 

tamarind, black, 160 

sulluco, 308 

tamarind, French, 106 

sumacatechu, 144 

tamarind, red, 180 

sumnuma, 334 

tamarind, wild, 156,160 

sun-sdn, 340,428 

tamarindnde. 18 surenu, 50 

tamarinde, 186 

surelle, 280 

tamarindier, 186 

Surinamcherry, 400,4l2 

tamarindillo, 156 

susann, 480 

tamarindo, 160, 186 

susnnaleche, 480 

tamarindo de loma, 138 

swampmahogany, 398 

tamarind0 silvestre. 144 

SWEETLEAF FAMILY, 456 

Tomarindue indica, 168, 186 

sweetleaf, Jlartinique, 456 

tamarinier, 186 

sweetpea, 150 

tambor. 130,284,468,512 

sweetsop, 104 

tambor hormiguero, 468 

sweetwood, 114,116,442 

tampaco, 352 

sweetwood, black, 120 

tangerine, 218 

sweetwood, cap-berry, 116 

tantan, 156 

sweetwood. loblolly. 122 

tapaculo, 340,388,512 

sweetwood; small-iesved, 116 

tnpal, 258 

Bwictenia belizcnsis, 250 

taparo, 492 

Swietcnia candollei, 260 

taray, 216 

Szcietenia krukovii, 250 

tapoeripa, 512 

Swietenia macrophylla, 242, 248 tnproepn, 612 

Swietcnia nracrophulla X mahagoni, thrana, 458 

260 

tarco, 492 

Swietenia mahagoni, 13, 15, 17, 242, tasto, 602 

250 

TAXACEAE, 30 

Stoietenia tes8mannif, 250 

tcha-tcha, 148 

swizzlestick-tree, 336 

tea, 216 

sybilline, 280 

tea cimarrona, 304 

SYMPLOCACEAE. 466 

TEA FAMILY, 346 

Sumplocos lanata, 456 

teak, 484 

Symplocos martinicensis, 456 teberinto, 134 

S~ntplocos nricrantha, 456 

teca, 484 

Sttm~loco8 ookantha. 456 

teck, 484 

Tecomo StanS, 502 

Tecoma tronodora, 502 

tecomnsuche, 360 

tabaco, 272 

tecomasSlchi1, 360 

tabadn, 272, 488 

tecomate, 400 

tabacdn afelpado, 488 

tecomatillo, 360 

tabncdn Aspero, 488 

Tectona grandis, 476, 484 

tabaiba, 284 

teilla, 216,508 , 

Tabebuia dominicensis, 500 

tendre en gomme. 508 

Tabebuia haemantha. 490, 496 tento cnrolina. 146 

Tabebuia heterophylla, 12, 13, 14,490, terciopelo, 420 

4% 

terebinto. 184 

~aiybuia heterophylla subsp. pallida, Terebraria reeinosa, 13, 604, 524 

498 

Temisalia btrceras, 896,388 

Tabebuia lueida, 500 

Terminalia catappa, 15, 386, 394 

Tabebuia pallida, 408 

Tetragastris baleamifera, 14, 240 

Tabebufa pallida subsp. dotnitrlcmie, Tetragastris baleamifera var. lance& 

500 

folia, 210 

Tabebuia paUida subsp. Aeteropliylla, Tetrazugia anoustlfolia, 424 

498 

Tetrazygia elaeagnoides, 13, 418, 420 

~abcbuia pcntaphylla, 498,500 THEiICEAE. 346 

Tabebuia rigida, 14, 490, 500 Theobroma cacao, 338, 342 

l'a bcbr ia rosca, 500 

Thespeaia grandifiora, 328 

Tabebuia eeliurnanttia~~a, 500 

Thespesia populnea, 326. 330 

tabebuia, white, 500 

Thouinia portoricensis, 13, 310 

tabloncillo, 442 

Thouinia striata, 13, 310, 312 

tablote, 338 

Thuana portoricensis, 302,310 

tabonuco, 238 -- 

Thyana atriata, 302.312 

tabuchin. 176 

THYLUELAEACEAE, 380 

tacasito, 370 

ti cnrmite, 436 

tnche, 502 

ti feuilles, 412 

tachuelo, 202 

tibet, 16, 146 

tacurai, 468 

tibet, giant, 164 

tagualaiste. 502 

tibet-tree. 148 

talantrbn, 364 

tie-tongue, 80 

Talaunra splendem, 96 

tiger-tongue, 208 

taman, 186 

tinacio, 252 

taman, wild, 156 

tinnjero, 412,428 

tamarandillo, 160 

tinta, 300 

tamarijn, 186 

tintero, 520 

tamarin, 186 

tintillo, 520 

,tamarind, 186 

tiilndientes. 512 

tira-jala, 64 

tiraco, 180 

tlti, 298 

titi, white, 298 

tobacco, wild, 488 

tobillo, 280 

toco-toco, 502 

toekoeli, 386 

tooshe-flower, 498 

topa, 336 

toporite, 130 

torch, black, 116 

torch, white, 216 

torchwood, 216,236 

torchmood, sweet, 116 

todto, 462 

toronja, 224 

Torrirbia discolor, 92 

Torrubia fragrans, 92 

tortolero, 68 

tortolito, 370 

tortugo amarillo, 12, 454 

tortugo colorndo, 454 

tortuguero, 260 

tortuguillo 504 

tostado, 366, 372 

totumbo, 492 

totumillo, 486 

totumo, 492 

Tozicodendron, 290 

tree-fern, 28 

TREE-FERN FAMILY, 28 

trema, Florida, 58 

trema, Lamarck. 68 

Trema lamarekiana, 56 

Trema micrantha, 58 

trema, West Indies, 56 

trible-grape, 84 

Trichilia hirta, 24, 252 

Trichilia pdlida, 14, 242, 254 

Trichilia apondioides, 

Trickilia triuca~~tlia, 254 

triplaris, 86 

Triplaris americano, 76, 86 

Triplaris caracaeana, 8 

Triplariu cumingiana, 86 

trompeto, 246 

trompillo, 190,246,254 

tronador, 278 

tronadora, 502 

tropbal-almond, 394 

trumpet-flower, yellow, 502 

trumpet. mountain, 428 

trumpet-tree, 66, 68 

trumpet-tree, pink, 498 

trumpet-tree, shield-shaped, 68 

trumpet-mood, 68 

trupillo, 168 

tuchima, 526 

tucumo, 336 

tulipin afrieano, 15, 494 

tullpan del Japbn. 328 

tuliptree, 330 

tuliptree, African, 494 

tnlpenboom, 494 

tumbarabu, 156 

tuna, 378 

tuna de petate, 378 

tuna de yaya, 378 

turnya. 98 

turpentine-tree, 236,238 

Turpinia paniculata, 14, 300 

turtle-bough, green, 392 

tutumo, 492 

uaxim, 156 

itcar, 388 

ucariviro, 282

ule. 64 

ule-ule, 64 

ULYICEAE. 58 

umbrella-tree, 248 

ufin de cabra. 144 

ufia de gato, 162 

nrape, 150 

urero, 164 

anlazeiro, 408 

nri~cQ. 358 

u\n, 70.82 

uvn caleta, 82 

uva rimnrronn, 76 

uva de mar, 82 

uvn cle paloma, 70 

uva de playa, 12, 82 

urera. 80 

arerillo. 76,80 

uvero. 82 

uvero de monte. 76 

uvilla, 76, 80 

urilla de sierra, 76 

uvlllbn, 80 

Vachellia farneuiana, 144 

vaillant gawon. 234 

vaquero, 426 

vara blanca, 58 

vnrla, 468 

varln colorada, 468 

varia colorado. 468 

vnrla prleta, 408 

varlo. 350 

varital, 268 

rarital variable. 170 

velvet-berry, 514 

velret. blnck. 318 

velvetseed. rough, 514 

velvetseed, roughleaf, 514 

venaco. 58 

rencedor, 118 

vera. 214 

VERBENA FAMILY, 470 . 

I'ERBENACEAE. 476 

verdeclto, 372 

verdiscco, 424 

vl-apple, 292 

vibona. 428 

vlbora, 428 

vicho cnspi, 412 

vleille fllle. 148 

violet-tree, 260 

vlolet-tree. Puerto Rlcan, 260 

violeta, 248, 260 

Vitex diuaricafa, 14, 476, 486 

vlto, 5l2 

rllnderbloem. 170 

vomlt, buck. 240 

waata gwegwe, 200 

wnikl-pine, 216 

wajnkaa n~aatsjoe, 214 

wakoera, 520 

manasoro, 88 . 

warala, 422 

warimirl, 298 

watakeeli, 466 

watrabebe. 206 

wayacn, 212 

wayaka h~lniar6n. 214 

west-1ndlnn-bIhl1.233 

West-Indinn-cherry. 472 

West-Indian-elm, 340 

West-Indlan-goociebbrry, 280 

\Vest-Indlan-lllnc, 248 

West-Indian-locust, 178,180 

West-Indian-sumac. 18(1 

Iirest-Indies-cedar. 244 

West-Indles-ebony, 148 

wliistling-benn. 148 

whistling-pine. 48 

white-beech. 450 

wlilte-box, 456 

white-cedar, 498 

white-chank, 406 

whlte-grape, 84 

white-mangrove, 392, 476, 478 

white-prickle. 230 

whltewood, 122,450,408 

1Pfckstroenria porloriccnsle, 346 

wlld-cherry, 258, :I(JO 

wild-coffee, 234, 316, 368, 370, 510, 516 

wild-cotton, 800 

wild-dllly. 446 

wild-flg, 352 

wild guare, 514 

wild-mamee, 350 

wild-mammee, 352 

wlld-plum, 280,204,290 

wild-sage, 370 

wilde amandel, 394 

willow, 54 

\\'ILLOIV FAMILY. 5.1 

willow, Humboldt, 54 

n71110w. weeping, 48 

1Vintcrana canclla, 362 

tvltte mangel, 390 

womnn's-ton y e, 148 

wonder-tree, 180 

xac-chum, 442 

Saathoiqilttm, see Zanthoraylum, 228 

xuyau. 358 

yaba, 100 

ynba colorada, 190 

yabo. 180 

yaco de cuero, 58 

yaco-huito. 512 

yncnre. 162 

yagruma, 68 

yagruma hembrn, US 

yngrume, 428 

yngrumo, 68 

yagrumo hembra, 66, 08 

yagrumo macho, 68, 428 

yaiti, 272 

ynma y a. 248 

yamao, 246 

yam, 300 

yana-aspi. 58 

yanilla. 298 

yaque. 188 

yarey, 40 

yurnmero, 428 

yaya, 108 

yayo, 282 

yellow-blossom, 505 

yellom-cedar, 502 

yellow-elder, 502 

yellowheart, 228 

gello~v-plum, 204 

yellow-prickle, 230, 232 

ycllom-prickly. 232 

yellow-sanders, 228 

yellorv-torch. 508 

yellow-trumpet, 502 

yellow-trumpet. Florldn, 502 

sellomood, 228 

reaulti. 308 

ylang-ylang, 106 

soke. ~arniInah. 168 

zaboca, 128 

zambo cedro, 246 

Zamia, 30 

zandkokerboom. 278 

eanmande, 304 

la~~thoxulttnt caribacutt~. 228 

Zmthoxylwn flaoum, 13,216,228 

Zanthoxylum martiniceme, 13, 216, 

2.111 

~&-t'hoxylum monophyUum, 216, 232 

%antliox~~lut~~ vunctalunc. . 228 -- 

zapaterk 182,302 

zapatdn, 428 

znpatdn blanco, 208 

zapatdn rojo, 208 - 

zapote, 446 

zapote blanco, 208 

zapote chlco, 446 

zapote colorado, 446 

zapote mnmey, 354 

1 zapote de costa, 444 

zapote de nifio. 354 

znpote de Sonto Domingo. 354 

zapote morado, 446 

zapotillo. 446 

zwagosa. 390 

zarcilla, 156 

zebrawood, 182 

zeedrelfl, 82 

zeedruif, 82 

zic. 132 

zopllote, 160 

zorra. 164 

zaurzak, 100 

ZYUOPHYLLACEAE. 214 

U.S. bOYERNMENT PRlHnNO WICE: 1884 -421

Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

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