92 FLORA OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



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



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

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

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



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



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

 i/A'd on waste places, common. — All islands. 



731. Manihot utilissima, Pohl (Plant. Uras. i, :52) (v. Cassava). 



Fl. March-May. Hoot 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. French Physic-mit, SkitiietcM). 



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

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



753. J. gossypiifolia, Jj. (v. Pbysie-uut). a) staphysagricefolia, fi) elegans. 



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

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

 flelds. Very common everywhere. — All islands. 



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



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

 Thomas. 



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



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

 forests, common. — All islands. 



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



Fl. i)reco('ious, lM'l>.-A])ril, cot'tanous, May-June. Wood afibrding 

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

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

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



757. Exccecaria Laurocerasus, Miill. (1. c. 120'i). ) ) laurifolia. 



Not seen llowering. A high tree: bark smooth, white. In dense 

 forests, raie. — St. Jan (Cinnamon Uay). 



758. Hura crepitans, L. (\ . Sandlxix-treo). 



Fl. Sept. Leaves deci<lnons in Jan.-.\pril. Seeds drastic. A high 

 tree with horizontal brandies and ]»riPkly stem. In forests and near 

 dwellings, common. — All islmuls. 



