CHAPTER XLIII: THE PARADISE TREE AND 



THE AILANTHUS 



Family Simarubace/E 



The Quassia, or Paradise Tree {Simaruha glauca, DC.) 

 is the nearest American relative of the ailanthus tree, which is 

 no stranger to inhabitants of the Eastern States. It grows in 

 lower Florida and in the West Indies a low, round-headed 

 tree whose graceful, pinnate leaves are dark red when they first 

 appear, soon becoming dark green and shining above, and pale 

 beneath. For weeks in spring the immense loose clusters of tiny 

 yellow flowers spread like a delicate veil over the treetop. Stam- 

 inate and pistillate trees both bear panicles often 2 feet across. 



In the autumn the fertile tree burns bright with the scarlet 

 fruit, which are full grown as early as the end of April. These 

 remain all summer, turning purple, and falling in autumn. They 

 are as large as wild plums. 



This is one of the most beautiful trees in tropical gardens, 

 as its name implies. A related species in the islands of the 

 Caribbean Sea yields a tonic drug, quassin, used in the treatment 

 of malaria. The Florida tree has bitter sap, and it is popularly 

 believed that to drink water from a cup made of its wood is a 

 cure for chills and fever. 



The Ailanthus {Ailanthus glandidosa, Desf.) is an immigrant 

 from China which has sprung into popularity as a city street 

 tree. A Long Island nurseryman introduced the tree in 1820. 

 New York City and Brooklyn planted the saplings extensively 

 Smoke and dust do not seem to injure their great, fern-like leaves. 

 They throve in sterile and worn-out soil, shading hot pavements 

 and clothing waste places with verdure. 



Then came the blossoming, and the inch worm! The stam- 

 inate trees had a rank odour, and the pollen annoyed people 

 with catarrh. Caterpillars revelled on the luxuriant foliage, and 

 dropped upon passersby. A tide of feeling against these trees 



15' 



