OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1914. 25 



39413. Castanea crenata Sieb. and Zucc. Fagaceae. Chestnut. 



From Tokyo, Japan. Presented by Miss B. Catherine Pifer. Received 

 November 13, 1914. 

 Imperial chestnut. 



39414. Franklinia alatamaha Bartram. Theacese. 

 (Gordon id pubescens L'Herit.) 



From Philadelphia, Pa. Presented by Mr. Ogleby Paul, Fairmount Park. 

 Received October 7, 1914. 



See S. P. I. Nos. 26930 and 26931 for previous introductions and description. 



" This is probably one of the least known of our small trees, and yet it 

 stands among the most beautiful of our native plants. In habit of growth 

 and in the leaf the Gordonia, or, as it is sometimes called, Franklinia, is not 

 unlike a magnolia, although in the flower it more nearly resembles a camellia. 

 Furthermore, it is especially valuable on account of its late flowering period, 

 plants being in bloom at the present time in the Arnold Arboretum. The Gor- 

 donia is of a rather upright habit, forming a well-shaped head. It is a member 

 of the tea family, Theacese. Its finely crenate, lance-obovate leaves are of the 

 color of the leaves of Magnolia acuminata, but whitish downy beneath. The 

 fragrant flowers are borne on the ends of the branches on short, stout peduncles. 

 They are pure satiny white, about 2§ inches in diameter and bowl shaped at 

 their best, later becoming flatter as the flower ages. The stamens are bright 

 golden yellow and are placed directly on the petals, where they form a tuft 

 perhaps a half inch or more in diameter, making a beautiful combination of 

 color against the pure white of the petals. The pod is globular, light green, 

 and covered with a whitish down. This plant was first discovered in southern 

 Georgia, whence it was introduced into Europe in 1744, and named by Dr. 

 Garden in honor of his ' old master, Dr. James Gordon,' and by Ellis it was 

 dedicated to a London nurseryman of the same name. This nurseryman ap- 

 pears to have been a contemporary of Philip Miller. It was called Franklinia 

 in honor of Dr. Franklin. During the past hundred years it has not been 

 found in a wild state, although much searched for. This fact makes it not 

 only a rare and valuable tree, but one which should be more propagated and 

 kept, lest it be lost entirely to future generations. In the vicinity of Philadel- 

 phia there are several trees growing in the open without protection, but north 

 of that point its hardiness can not be wholly depended upon. In protected 

 situations, however, I see no reason why we of the North can not enjoy its 

 exquisite beauty, provided, of course, we give it protection. In the Arnold 

 Arboretum the plants receive part shelter from the other plants, which are 

 planted about them, and came through the winter of 1913-14 when so many 

 other beautiful things perished. The Gordonia may be propagated from layers 

 or from seeds, and will thrive in a peaty soil or in leaf mold and sand." 

 (Hubert M. Canning, in Horticulture, Oct. 24, 1914.) 



39415. Spathodea campanulata Beau v. Bignoniaceae. 



From Peradeniya, Ceylon. Presented by Mr. H. F. Maemillan. superintend- 

 ent of the botanic gardens. Received November 14, 1914. 



" This seems to be the only species of Spatbodea generally known in the East. 

 The tree flowers profusely at Peradeniya almost throughout the year, except 

 in the dry season, but seldom or never bears fruit here. It produced, however, 

 fruit and seeds in our former garden at Anuradhapura, now abandoned, where 

 the climate is much drier than at Teradeniya, the rainfall being limited to three 

 mouths of the year." (Maemillan.) 



