44 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



of the Castor-oil plant (Ricinus) and to this re- 

 semblance the tree owes its specific name. In late 

 July and in August each branchlet bears a broad, flat 

 compound cluster of white flowers which are rapidly 

 followed by shin ng black Elderberry-like fruits. 

 The large and handsome palmate leaves give this 

 tree a tropical appearance yet it is perfectly hardy and 

 quick-growing. In the Arnold Arboretum may be 

 seen two trees each thirty-five feet tall, raised from 

 seeds collected in Japan by Professor Sargent in 1892. 

 These trees flower and fruit each year and have done 

 so for several years past. This Kalopanax thrives in 

 ordinary garden soil but prefers a moist situation. As 

 far as is known it is not attacked by any insect or 

 disease. As a lawn tree or as a specimen tree by side 

 of water it is unsurpassed and also it ought to be used 

 for street planting. In Hokkaido this tree is known 

 as the "Sen," and the wood, which is white with a 

 fine grain, is exported to China for railway ties and to 

 Europe for making shop-fittings, panels, and office 

 furniture. Another Japanese tree, Stewartia pseudo- 

 camellia, a member of the Camellia family, also 

 blossoms about the end of July and is much too rare 

 in gardens. In the moist forests of the Nikko region 

 this tree is abundant and is easily recognized by its 

 perfectly smooth gray-brown bark; the branches are 



