SOME BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL TREES. 889 



full flower during August and September, beiug practically smothered with 

 very large racemes of bright yellow flowers, suggesting a magnified Calceolaria. 

 The tree luxuriates in the moist climate of Peradeniya, but does not 

 produce seed here. At Anuradhapura, however, in the drier region, it bears 

 fruit. 



Cassia nodosa (knotted, referring to tbe knotted stems). — A moderate- 

 sized tree, native of Eastern Bengal and Malaya, very beautiful when bearing 

 its profusion of bright pink and rose-scented flowers, during April and May. 

 The flowers are followed by cylindrical pods, 12 to 15 inches long. The tree 

 is deciduous in the dry weather. 



Cochlospermum gossypium {Bixacece). — " Kinihiraya " or " Ela-imbul, " 

 S. ; " Kongu, " T. — A rather small tree, native of Central India. It has 

 become semi-naturalised in dry districts in Ceylon, and is often found planted 

 near Buddhist Temples. A beautiful tree when in blossom, during February 

 or March, with its large bright yellow flowers, which are esteemed as temple 

 offerings. The tree is deciduous in the dry weather : thrives in either dry 

 or moderately wet districts below 2,000 feet. 



Colvillea racemosa {LcguminosaT).— Named in honour of Sir Charles 

 Colville when Governor of Mauritius. A medium-sized tree (30 to 40 feet 

 high) with handsome pinnate leaves, native of Mauritius and Madagascar. It 

 bears in September large, erect close racemes of bright scarlet flowers, 

 presenting a very showy appearance. Suited to the moist or moderately 

 dry low-country. 



Gliricidia maculata (Leguminom)—" Madre. "—A small quick-growing 

 elegant tree introduced from the West Indies about 1889. It bears long 

 arching feathery leafy branches, which in the dry weather drop nearly all 

 their leaves and produce along the greater part of their length masses of 

 pinkish purple flowers, making the tree a striking object for a time. It thrives 

 up to 2,000 feet, and may be seen flourishing in the Victoria Park and elsewhere 

 about Colombo. Its quick growth and light feathery habit recommend it as 

 an excellent shade and green manure tree. It belongs to the nitrogenous class 

 of Leguminosas ; also forms good support for vanilla vines. The introduction 

 of this into Ceylon was effected by Mr. C. Drieberg when Superintendent of 

 the Agricultural School. 



Jacaranda mimos^polia (Bignoniacece). — A very elegant tree both on 

 account of its leaves and flowers. It reaches a height of 40 to 50 feet, and 

 bears a profusion of blue bell-shaped flowers all along the older wood of the 

 branches. Flowering seasons, February to May, and August to September. 

 The elegant bi-pinnate mimosa-like leaves make the tree well worth growing 

 as small foliage plants for pots in verandahs. 



Kleinhovia hospita (Sterciliaceoc). — A large handsome Malayan tree, 

 introduced to Ceylon about 1820 ; it bears large terminal panicles of pink or 

 rose-coloured flowers, which appear during July and August. Thrives in the 

 moist low-country. 



