IN FLORIDA 139 



binthifolius has also failed with me. Reasoner reports that the 

 latter does well with him. 



Schizolobium excelsum is a noble tree from Brazil which has 

 been introduced into Florida. I have had it reach twelve feet- 

 but it was badly hurt in a freeze and never fully recovered. Its 

 immense decompound leaves are very beautiful. 



Sciadophyllum pulchrum is probably the correct name of a 

 tree received as Aralia pulchra. It has beautiful, glossy, digitate 

 foliage and when well grown is an elegant object. There is a 

 good specimen in the grounds of the Royal Palm Hotel at Miami. 

 Tender, no doubt. 



Sciadopitys verticellata is a tall, slow growing conifer from 

 Japan with elegant whorls of curved leaves and attractive, 

 curiously sculptured cones. It ought to be hardy anywhere in 

 Florida. I do not know that it has been introduced but it should 

 be tried in moderately moist, rich soil in the upper districts. 



Spathodea campanulata is a superb flowering tree from tropical 

 Africa, belonging to the Bignoniaceae, having large, light green, 

 pinnate leaves and great, flattened, one-sided, pitcher-shaped 

 flowers. These are dull red, bordered yellow and the effect of 

 the tree when in bloom is wonderful. It is a rapid grower but 

 very tender and should be planted in a sheltered place. It blooms 

 when quite small. 



Sterculia. A large genus of ornamental trees mostly from the 

 warmer parts of the Old World. Several have been cultivated in 

 Florida and some are quite handsome. S. foetida from tropical 

 Africa has dull red flowers and striking leaves; 6 1 . acerifolium is 

 the same as Brachychiton acerifolium; S. alata from India has very 

 large, ovate cordate leaves; S. carthagenensis has large, handsome 

 palmate leaves and interesting flowers. S. platanifolia is a 

 striking tree that is almost hardy in Washington. It has grown 

 very slowly with me, merely putting out healthy leaves each 

 year, but there is a fine specimen in the grounds of the Flagler 

 residence at Palm Beach. It may be that a limy soil is distasteful 

 to it. 



Stereo spermum suaveolens is an Indian tree with immense 

 compound leaves and dull red or purplish flowers. S. sinicum 

 is a handsomer tree from China with yellow blossoms. The 



