69 



136.-AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA.-i^mn. 



This tree grows to a height of 30 feet in our Gardens and friiits 

 annually in profusion. The fruit Avhen fully ripe is a very useful 

 substitute for green gooseberries and can be made into tarts — the 

 flavour of which is scarcely to be distinguished from that of the 

 gooseberry. It has been found that some trees produce fruit Avhich 

 have much less acid than others, and these are often eaten in a fresh 

 state with considerable relish. The fruit is known locally as " Coolie 

 Tamarind." Our trees appear to have become thoroughly acclimatized. 



137.-PARMBNTIBRIA CERIFERA, D.O. 



" The Candle Tree. 



The " Candle Tree" is one of those which always attract the 

 attention of visitors, when in fruit, owing to the numerous candle-like 

 yellowish green fruits which it produces. It fruits annually at the 

 Gardens, each fruit presenting almost the exact form of a wax taper. 



Mr. Prestoe remarked in his Report on these Gardens for 1880, 

 as follows : — 



" The highly satisfactory manner in which this tree has thriven 

 " and produced its highly nutritious fruit — together with the fact 

 " that all kinds of stock devour them greedily — induce me to give it 

 " special mention here as a fodder plant specially adapted for tropical 

 " and sub-tropical countries where the annual or occasionally severe 

 " drought occasions a scarcity of fodder for certain periods, such 

 " indeed as occurs, and is a notable drawback to prosperity in some 

 " parts of India, Tropical Australia, Natal, &c." 



« » o o • o 



" I regard the tree as being capable of supplying the tropical dry 

 " season with a source of fodder for stock, just as the temperate 

 " winter has its supply of fodder in Mangles and Sweedes, &c." 



It is said to have been first distributed to Horticulturists by Mr. 

 Wm. Bull of Chelsea about the year 18G3, he having i-eceived it from 

 the Isthmus of Panama, and it was shortly afterwards, introduced to 

 these Gardens where it has become fully acclimatized. 



