244 XATL'RAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



ties. The cunaiion si)ecies grown here, known as the "flame tree" or "flam- 

 boyant tree," has been so well named as to scarcely require further description. 

 Thouiili it is a fairly rapid grower it is not a large tree as a rule. The smooth 

 trunk is e.\])anded at the base in a curious way, forming buttresses that corre- 

 spond with the principal roots. This peculiarity in connection with its rich- 

 green foliage arranged in horizontal spreading layers of fine pinnate leaves, 

 makes it a tree so dainty as to attract attention at all seasons. But when it 

 bursts into full flower it is one solid mass of crimson, the admiration of all, and 

 without doubt it is one of the most stinking of tropical trees. ^.Ithough it sheds 

 its leaves at certain seasons it is at such times almost as remarkable for its large 

 pods as for the blossoms which preceded them. The generic term, which is the 

 one conunonly used as the name of this species, was given in honor of Governor- 

 General Poinci, Avho wrote on the natural history of the West Indies during the 

 middle of the seventeenth century. The species and varieties common in warm 

 countries are found here. 



I^RIDE OF THE BaRBADOES AND THE GOLDEN ShOWER. 



The pride of the Barbadoes,- with orange-colored blossoms and a second 

 variety with yellow flowers, are quite common, the latter being known as the yellow 

 poineiana. But more conspicuous through the summer months is the golden 

 shower,-' or after the pods have set on it, the "pudding-stick" tree. The 

 foliage is quite scant, consisting of large pinnate leaves. The flowers appear in 

 pendant jninicles and for several months there is a succession of pure primrose- 

 yellow, fragrant blossoms that justify tlie popular common name of the tree. 

 Another species is the purging Cassia ^ or horse Cassia, with pink and white 

 flowers and leaves that somewhat resemble the locust. It is most conspicuous 

 when bearing the large club-like pods eighteen to twenty inches long and an inch 

 or more in diameter. Another species known locally as the "])ink shower" re- 

 sembles the latter in many ways, but has the pods divided ofl' with transverse 

 diaphragms separating the seeds which are embedded in pulj). In this species^ 

 each seed is enclosed in a tiny pillbox-shaped case, the seeds lying collectively 

 in the pod like so many coins rolled together in a case. The flowers grow in 

 clusters closely resembling those of large, rich-colored crabapple blossoms and 

 surround the l)ough of the previous year's groAvth. The tree remains in full 

 blossoin ten or twelve weeks and is a delight to all beholders. But of this large 

 genus there are numerous species represented in the introduced flora of the 

 islands, many of them producing handsome trees and shrubs. 



Pride of' India. 



The pride of India.^' also a second and smaller species from Jamaica," l)oth 

 with delicate lilac-colored flowers, are often called the "umbrella tree." The 

 flowers are followed by a crop of yellowish berries which are eaten and dis- 



Civitalpinia ptdcherriina. ' Cnxxia fistula. * Cassia nodosa. ^ Cassia (/raiulis. 



" J\fetia Azedarach. ' Melia seinperrirens. 



