92 FLORA OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



749. Tragia volubilis, L. (v. Nettle, Brcan-uettle). 



Fl. Feb., Sept. Male flowers often transformed into a globose mon- 

 strosity. The plant is believed by the negroes to give them luck in 

 marketing. In thickets and along roads, common. — All islands. 



750. Ricinus communis, L. a) (v. Castor-oil tree). 



Fl. all the year round. Seeds used for pressing castor-oil. Natural- 

 ized on waste places, common. — All islands. 



751. Maniliot utilissima, Polil (Plant. Bras, i, '.i2) (v. Cassava). 



Fl. March-May. Eoot used for manufacturing starch and flour, which 

 is made up into flat, thin cakes (bambam). Naturalized and culti- 

 vated. — All islands. 



752. Jatropha Curcas, L. (v. Freuch Physic-nut, Skituetclii). 



Fl. all the year round. Seeds very drastic. A low tree, often planted 

 on graves. Naturalized near dwellings, common. — All islands. 



753. J. gossypiifolia, L. (v. Physic-nut), a) staphysagriaefolia, /3) elegans. 



Fl. all the year round. The whole plant has a disagreeable smell. 

 Suffrutesceut, l'-4' high. A troublesome weed near dwellings and in 

 fields. Very common everywhere. — All islands. 



754. J. miultifida, L. (v. Coral-bush). 



Fl. all the year round. Naturahzed in gardens. — St. Croix; St. 

 Thomas. 



755. Sebastiania lucida, Miill. (DC. Protlr. I.e. 1181) (Excoecaria, Sw.). 



Fl. Feb.-June. A shrub or low tree, 5'-20' high. In thickets and 

 forests, common. — All islands. 



756. Hippomane Mancinella, L. (v. Mauchineel-tree). 



Fl. precocious, Feb.-A])ril, coetanous, May-June. Wood affording 

 excellent timber, but very little used on account of the caustic milky 

 juice. On sandy shores, often gregarious, sometimes in the interior of 

 the islands on hills. — St. Croix (common) ; Vkgin Islands (uncommon). 



757. ExccEcaria Laurocerasus, Miill. (1. c. 1202). 7) laurifolia. 



Not seen flowering. A high tree ; bark smooth, white. In dense 

 forests, rare. — St. Jan (Cinnamon Bay). 



758. Hura crepitans, L. (v. Sauflbox-tree). 



Fl. Sept. Leaves deciduous in Jan.-April. Seeds drastic. A high 

 tree with horizontal branches and prickly stem. In forests and near 

 dwellings, common.^All islands. 



