258 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Pittosporum undulatum, Ventenat. 



South-east Australia. This tree with P. bicolor (Hooker) produces 

 a wood well adapted for turners' purposes and also as a substitute 

 for boxwood (Oliver). The flowers furnish a highly fragrant 

 volatile oil on distillation. 



Planera aquatica, Gmelin. 



North America. An elm-like tree, which can be chosen for plan- 

 tations in wet localities. The wood is hard and strong. 



Platanus occidentalis, Linne.* 



The true Plane Tree of the east part of North America, also known 

 as Buttonwood. More eligible as an avenue tree than as a timber 

 tree. Height to 100 feet. Diameter of stem at times 14 feet. 

 Wood dull red, light, not readily attacked by insects ; used in 

 the manufacture of pianofortes and harps ; cuts into very good 

 screws, also presses, dairy utensils, windlasses, wheels and blocks. 

 The young wood .is silky white and often handsomely mottled 

 (Robb). The tree likes alluvial river banks and has been success- 

 fully planted in morassy places, to cope with miasmatic effluvia. 



Platanus orientalis, Linne.* 



The Plane Tree of South Europe and Middle Asia. One of the 

 grandest trees for lining roads and for street-planting, deciduous 

 like the other Planes, rather quick of growth, and not requiring 

 much water. Attains a height of 90 feet. It resists, in large towns 

 such as London, the smoke better than any other tree, growing 

 vigorously even under such disadvantage. It is of several centuries' 

 longevity. The wood is well adapted for furniture and other kinds 

 of cabinet-work. 



Platanus racemosa, JSTuttall. 



The Californian Plane Tree. A good promenade-tree, which, ac- 

 cording to Professor Bolander, grows more rapidly and more com- 

 pact than P. occidentalis. Height to 100 feet. Wood harder and 

 thus more durable than that of P. occidentalis, also less liable to 

 warp. According to Dr. Gibbons the tree attains a height of 100 

 feet and a diameter of 8 feet ; the wood is very brittle ; in use 

 however by turners. 



Plectocomia Himalaiana, Griffith. 



Sikkim, up to 7,000 feet, extending to 27 south latitude. This 

 Rattan Palm requires moist forest-land. Its canes are not durable, 

 but this Palm is an object worthy of scenic horticulture, and would 

 prove the hardiest among its congeners. P. elongata ascends, 

 according to Drude, to 4,500 feet. 



