Schleicher a.} XXVII. SAPINDACE/E. 105 



than calyx, inserted near the centre of a flat, undulate, indistinctly lobed 

 disc ; anthers 2-celled, dehiscing longitudinally. Ovary ovoid, 3-4-celled, 

 narrowed into a rigid style ; stigma capitate, 3-4-cleft, divisions recurved ; 

 one erect ovule in each cell. Fruit dry, coriaceous, indehiscent, 1-3-celled. 

 Seeds enclosed in a fleshy arillus ; embryo conduplicate, the cotyledons 

 unequal and closely coherent. 



r 1. S. trijuga, Willd." Tab. XX. Bedd. FL Sylv. t. 119 ; Roxb. Fl. 

 Ind. ii. 277; W. & A. Prodr. 114. Vern. Kosum, kossum, kussumb, 

 gausam, kusam, North- West and Central India ; kassuma, Koham, kocham, 

 Panch Mehals ; Sagdi marra, Can. ; Gyoben, Burm. 



Young parts downy. Leaves abruptly pinnate, coriaceous when old ; 

 leaflets 2-4 pair, opposite, sessile, oblong, entire, obtuse-acute or short 

 acuminate, with 10-18 main lateral nerves on either side of the midrib, 

 and intermediate shorter nerves ; the leaflets of the lowest pair 1-3 in., of 

 the terminal pair 6-9 in. long. Flowers yellow, on short pedicels, fascicled 

 on interrupted, often branched, racemes. Racemes axillary, or below the 

 leaves, often several on short branchlets. Male and bisexual flowers 

 generally on different trees. Fruit the size of a nutmeg, pointed, often 

 echinate. Seeds 1 or 2, with a smooth brown testa, enclosed by a 

 pulpy arillus, which has a pleasant acid taste. The cotyledons full of 

 fat oil. 



Common in the dry forests of Southern, Central, and Eastern India, at 

 elevations below 3000 ft. In North- West India it is found in the Oudh 

 forests and the Siwalik tract, where it ascends to 3000 ft., its western limit 

 being the Sutlej river. It is grown in gardens near Lahore, and in Sindh. 

 The Kosum is not a gregarious tree ; it grows singly, or a few together, mixed 

 with the other trees of the dry forest. The old leaves are shed in Feb., the 

 young foliage comes out in March, affording a grateful shade when the other 

 trees of the dry forest are still leafless. The young leaves are purple at first, 

 then light green, the old foliage has a deep green colour. The fl. come out with 

 the young leaves. 



A large tree, attaining 60-70 ft. in South India and Burma, smaller in Central 

 and North India. Trunk scooped out longitudinally, with deep and irregular 

 furrows, 5-6 feet in girth (to 12 ft. in Burma and South India), often hollow 

 when large, with a few large ascending boughs, forming a broad rounded 

 crown. Bark \ in. thick, ash-grey or greyish brown, marked by shallow hollows, 

 left by oblong, exfoliating scales. 



Heartwood distinct, red or reddish brown, very heavy, close-grained, hard, 

 tough, and strong. Pores scanty, small, uniformly distributed. Medullary rays 

 very numerous, very fine. Seasons well, takes polish, and is very durable. 

 Weighs between 66 and 70 lb. per cub. ft. Valued where strength, hardness, 

 and durability are required. Oil, rice, and sugar crushers, pestles and mortars, 

 rollers, screws, and the teeth of harrows are made of it ; it is also used in build- 

 ing, and for various parts of carts and ploughs. 



In many parts of India, Lakh is produced on the young branches : atMirzapur 

 the Lakh of this tree is stated to be the best, and to keep good for 10 years ; while 

 the Lakh of other trees is s .'.id to last 2 years only. In Oudh this tree is lopped, 

 and the twigs and leaves are used as cattle-fodder during the dry season. Oil 

 is extracted from the seeds in South India and Ceylon. 



