638 XXXVI. SAPOTACEAE 



maximum shade temperature varies from 95 to US"" F., the absolute minimum 

 from 50 to 62 F., and the normal rainfall from 30 to 150 in. or more. 



The tree is largely cultivated in India and Burma for ornament and for 

 the sake of its fragrant flowers, which are used for making garlands and for 

 distilling into perfume. 



Flowering and fruiting. The fragrant white star-shaped flowers appear 

 from February to April, and the fruits ripen the following year from February 

 to June or later. The fruit (Fig. 243, a) is an ovoid orange-yellow one-seeded 

 berry, about 1 in. long. The seeds (Fig. 243, b) are elliptical or rhomboidal, 

 compressed, 0-6-0-9 in. by 0-4-0-5 in., brown, smooth, shining, with a hard 

 testa and a soft whitish albumen ; about 50-60 weigh 1 oz. The seeds do not 

 retain their vitality long. 



Germination (Fig. 243, c-g). Epigeous. The hard testa spKts in two, 

 exposing the albumen ; the radicle emerges, the hypocotyl elongates by 

 arching, and in straightening carries the cotyledons above ground. When 

 the cotyledons expand the testa, or half of it, and the albumen often adhere 

 for a time to one cotyledon before falling to the ground. 



The seedling (Fig. 243). 



Eoots : primary root long, terete, tapermg, wiry, flexuose : lateral roots 

 moderate in number, fibrous, distributed down main root. Hypocotyl distinct 

 from root, 1-2 in. long, terete, fusiform or tapering upwards, at first green 

 and finely pubescent, becoming brown and woody. Cotyledons sub-sessile, 

 0-9-1-1 in. by 0-7-0-8 in., foliaceous, broadly ovate, entire, dark green, glabrous, 

 coriaceous, persisting sometimes into the second season. Stem erect, terete 

 or slightly compressed, wiry, green, young parts pubescent, older parts glabrous ; 

 internodes 0-4-1 in. long. Leaves simple, alternate. Stipules minute, subulate. 

 Petiole 0-1-0-15 in. long, flattened above: lamina 1 7-2-3 in. by 0-5-0-8 in., 

 elliptical lanceolate, acute or acuminate, entire : young leaves sparsely 

 pubescent, soon becoming glabrous, coriaceous, shining. 



The growth of the seedling is slow, a maximum height of about 3 in. 

 being ordinarily attained by the end of the first season. The seedlings are 

 very sensitive to frost, which, however, is unknown in their natural habitat : 

 they are capable of standing a considerable amount of shade. 



SniVicui/ruRAL characters. The tree is a shade-bearer, retaining a full 

 crown under fairly dense shade. Gamble says it appears to reproduce well 

 in shade and to remain small until an opportunity offers for removal of the 

 cover, when it grows up at once. Judging from cultivated trees the growth* 

 is slow. 



Artificial reproduction. The best method of propagating the tree is 

 to sow the seeds singly in baskets and plant these out bodily when the seedlings 

 are large enough, that is, usually two years after sowing, in the rainy season. 



2. Mimusops hexandra, Roxb. Syn. M. indica, A. DC. Vern. Khirni, 

 Hind. ; Banjayia, raini, Mar. ; Pala, palai, Tam. ; Palu, Cingh. 



A large handsome tree with a spreading crown and a straight massive 

 bole ; the leaves are dark greyish green, shining, with an obtuse or emarginate 

 apex, and are crowded at the ends of the branchlets. Bark rough, dark grey, 

 crimson inside, and exuding drops of milky juice when cut. Wood red, very 

 hard, heavy, tough, and durable, used for house-posts, turjiery, oil-presses, 

 and other purposes. The fruits are sweet and edible, and are largely collected 



