PINACE^ 177 



genus) ; scales numerous, fan-shaped, Ij-ll in. across. Seeds 

 triangular with a broad wing, the seed and wing 1-1^ in. long. 



Var. albo-spica. 



Tips of young shoots white. 



Var. crassifolia. 



A stiff-habited tree of stunted appearance with thicker and 

 shorter leaves than the type. Suggestive of a high-altitude 

 plant. 



Var. erecta. 



Narrower and less pendent than the type. 



Var, pendula. 



Leading shoot and branches very pendent. In order to induce 

 vertical growth the leading shoot must be staked. 



Var. robusta. 



Leaves longer and stouter than is usual in the type (usually 

 about 2 in. long). 



Var. variegata. 



White or silvery leaves occur amongst others of normal colour. 



Var. viridis. 

 Leaves grass-green. 



The deodar is distinguished from other species by its longer 

 leaves and pendulous leader. 



C. Deodara is widely distributed through the W. Himalaya 

 from Afghanistan to Garhwal, at 4,000-10,000 ft. elevation, where 

 it is the most important conifer. The best forests are found ^ 

 where the rainfall varies from 40-70 in., but trees of timber size 

 occur where the annual rainfall is below 30 in. provided the soil 

 is deep and good. According to Ravenscroft it was introduced 

 to Britain in 1831, the Hon. Leslie Melville sending seeds to 

 Scotland, Dropmore, and elsewhere. There are many fine trees 

 in gardens in the south and west of England, though none have 

 reached maturity. One of the original trees was planted at Kew, 

 but it was removed in 1888. A fine tree (probably one of the 

 oldest in cultivation) is growing on the lawn at Westonbirt. It 

 was planted by the late Mr. R. S. HoKord about 1832, and is now 

 over 90 ft. high by 9 ft. 10 in. in girth. Disappointment has been 

 caused by some of the older trees becoming thin and rapidly 

 losing branches when 30-40 years old. In some cases this has 

 been traced to the fact that many of the earlier trees were 

 increased by grafting upon stocks of larch {Larix europceus). 



1 Troup, loc. cit. 1098 (1921). 



N 



