List of Ornamental Trees & Shrubs with Descriptions 73 



Carls-ia grandiflora (Amatungula) The common fruit bearing 

 shrub so plentiful on the Natal Coast. It is well worth grow- 

 ing for ornament as a specimen. Quite evergreen, first bear- 

 ing sweet-scented, star-like flowers, almost like large Jas- 

 mine, which are followed by the scarlet fruits. Rather slow 

 growing and only suitable for districts within a reasonable 

 distance of Coast humidity. Hardy. 10 feet. 



*Castanea vesca (Sweet Chestnut, Spanish Chestnut) A highly 

 ornamental small tree, deciduous, bearing the sweet chest- 

 nuts of commerce. So far it has not done well in South 

 Africa, owing chiefly to the long winter drought and lack of 

 lime in S.A. soils. 25 feet. 



Castanospermum australe (Australian Chestnut) An exceedingly 

 handsome and fairly large shade and ornamental tree for 

 warm Midlands and Coast belt. The foliage is large and 

 bold and creates grateful shade all through the year. In 

 October and November numerous orange-coloured large 

 flowers are produced, followed by the large seed pods. Not 

 to be recommended where there is 10 or more of frost. 

 50 feet. 



*Casuuriats The foliage of the Casuarinas is needle-like, like 

 the Pines, but generally more pendulous and equally dis- 

 tributed. Most species are of very quick growth and hardy 

 all over. C. cunninghamii and leptoclada are excellent wind- 

 break plants. The brighter green foliage of C. glauca, as 

 also the purple-tinted foliage of C. suberosa, can be used with 

 picturesque effect in mixed shrubbery and tree planting. 40 

 to SO feet. C. quadrivalvis is the best for the Coast. 



*Ceanothtis Dwarf, compact shrubs, growing about 6 feet high, 

 and bearing spikes of numerous small flowers on the ends of 

 the young branches. Colours from white through blue to 

 purple. Successful varieties are Americanus (white), azureus 

 (pale blue), Bijou (pink), and Gloire de Versailes (a clear 

 azure blue). Evergreen. 



Cedrela toona (Indian Mahogany) Is a very handsome and large 

 tree for warm districts only, and does well in Natal Mid- 

 lands, although not so well on the Coast belt. Best as a 

 single specimen, and is very handsome. Almost evergreen. 

 60 feet or more. 



*Cedrus atlantica (Atlas Cedar) Is very similar in habit to the 

 Deodar, but darker in foliage, and not quite as graceful. 80 

 to 100 feet. 



*Cedrus deodora (Indian Cedar or Deodar) The great beauty of 

 the Deodar competes strongly with Araucaria excelsa for 

 pride of place, while the former is hardy for the coldest dis- 

 tricts. The glaucous green foliage, the half droop of the 

 branches, and the towering stateliness of a well-grown speci- 

 men, make this tree a favourite with all. For ornament is 

 *een best as a single specimen on a lawn, with the lower 

 branches sweeping the grass. Slow of growth. Height, 80 

 to 150 feet. 



