18 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



55669 to 55706— Continued. 



55680. Erythkina arborescens Roxb. Fabacej?. 



When covered with its bright-scarlet flowers this small tree is very 

 attractive and is often planted as an ornamental, as in the streets of 

 Darjiling. There are but few prickles on its branches, and the thin 

 greenish leaves are often a foot in width. The strongly curved pods are 

 about an inch wide and 6 to 9 inches long. The tree is found native in 

 the centi'al and eastern Himalayas at altitudes ranging up to 7,000 feet. 

 (Adapted from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 12. p. 190. and Gamble, 

 Manual of Indian Timbers, p. 122.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47680. 



55681. Hydrangea robusta Hook. f. and Thoms. Hydrangeacese. 



A very stout, nearly erect hydrangea from Sikkim. India. The short- 

 stemmed oval leaves are coarsely toothed and the flowers, with white 

 sepals, blue petals, and stamens, are borne in rather loo.se. spreading 

 corymbs with red pedicels. (Adapted from Curtis' s Botanical Manazine, 

 pi. 5038.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 50367. 



55682. Ilex insignis Hook. f. AquifoliaceEe. Holly. 



An attractive holly from the Sikkim Himalayas, where it grows at an 

 altitude of 7,000 feet. It forms a small tree or shrub with thick-grooved 

 branches which are pui-plish when young. The leathery dark-green leaves 

 are pinnately lobed. with the lobes spine tipped and alternately raised 

 and depressed, so that there appears to be a double row of .spiny lobes 

 on each side. This holly has proved hardy in Ireland. (Adapted from 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, 2d ser., voL IJf. p. 292. ) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47698. 



55683. Indigofeka dosua tojientosa Baker. Fabaceae. Indigo. 



A low shrubby plant with densely hairy branches and dull-green com- 

 pound leaves 6 to 9 inches in length, each leaf consisting of 40 to 50 

 leaflets : the bright-red flowers are borne in long racemes. This attrac- 

 tive species is found in temperate regions of the Himalayas at altitudes 

 of 1.000 to 5,000 feet. (Adapted from Hooker. Flora of British India, 

 vol. 2, p. 152. ) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 50369. 



55684. Jasminum dispermum Wall. Oleacese. Jasmine. 



A climbing shrub common in temperate regions of the Himalayas at 

 altitudes of 2.000 to 8,000 feet. It bears very numerous white flowers 

 in axillary cymes and terminal panicles, sometimes a hundred. (Adapted 

 from Hooker, Flora of British India, vol. 3, p. 602.) 



55685. Laurocerasus acuminata (Wall.) Roemer. Amygdalaceae. 

 (Prunns acuminata Hook. f. ) Laurel cherry. 



A slender-branched tree 30 to 40 feet in height, with flat narrow leaves 

 up to 7 inches long and many-flowered racemes of yellowish white 

 flowers. The fruit is a small oval drupe. The tree is found in the 

 central and eastern Himalayas at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 7.000 

 feet. (Adapted from Hooker. Flora, of British India, vol. 2, p. 317.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 47705. 



55686. Leycesteria belliana W. W. Smith. Caprifoliacese. 



A small graceful shrub with opposite, membranous, lance-shaped 

 leaves, and sessile, two to four flowered spikes of rosy white flowers. 

 It is native in the Sikkim Himalayas, near the Nepal border, at an 

 altitude of 10,000 feet: it should prove hardy in England. (Adapted 

 from Transactions and Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Edin- 

 burgh, vol. 2Jt. p. 173.) 



