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G. P. W. Collection.

Diospyros decandra.

BROWN PERSIMMON.

PLATE LXXXIII

This is an evergreen tree rarely found in Hawaii. It has alternate, irregular, long, narrow leaves, shiny dark-green on the upper side, a velvety light-green on the underside, and has a long petiole. The branches are brittle, light-green, smooth and shiny when young, and after the leaves shed become woody and inclined to dry back.

The trunk and bark of the tree is covered with warty excresences. The solitary flowers are four-petaled. The edible fruit ripens in December, is round, depressed, about 21⁄2 inches in diameter, in color light-green dotted with numerous white spots. When quite ripe the thin skin turns to a shiny-brown. The soft chocolate colored pulp is sweet and contains from 1 to 8 large flat seeds.

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G. P. W. Collection.

PLATE LXXXIV

Lucuma Rivicoa.

EGG FRUIT.

This small evergreen tree, which is a native of Brazil, is found only in one or two gardens in Honolulu. Its leaves are ellipticobovate, resembling those of the mango. The yellow flowers are single, the fruit is the size and shape of a hen's egg, and has the flavor of the yolk of an egg sweetened with sugar. It has from one to three large seeds, which are easily germinated.

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G. P. W. Collection.

Eriobotrya Japonica.

LOQUAT.

PLATE LXXXV

The Loquat has been for many years a familiar fruit in our gardens, and is a native of China and Japan. It is a low evergreen tree with thick foliage, and in congenial climates is a prɔfuse bearer. Its leaves are thick, oblong, and remotely toothed and grow near the ends of the branches. The white flowers grow in clusters, are very fragrant, and the fruit, which also ripens in clusters, about Christmas time, is pear-shaped, and has an agreeable acid flavor. The seeds are large, and germinate readily. Fine grafted and budded varieties have been introduced by local horticulturalists.

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