294 FLOWERING TREES 



Cassia grandis (Great). " Horse Cassia." A native of South 

 America, growing to a height of about 40 to 50 feet ; bears a pro- 

 fusion of pale pink inflorescence during the dry months of February 

 and March, when the tree is completely deciduous. It produces 

 in June an abundance of thick, coarse and slightly curved pods, 

 the pulp of which has an offensive odour. 



C. marginata=C Javanica. (Marginated leaf). "Ratu-\va" S; 

 "Vakai" T. A small, graceful tree with spreading, drooping 

 branches, common in the dry region of Ceylon and also in South 

 India ; very ornamental when bearing its racemes of rose-coloured 

 flowers, usually in July and August. 



C. multijuga (Many-pinnae). A slender quick-growing tree 

 of Tropical America, introduced to Peradeniya, Ceylon, in 1851. 

 Remarkably beautiful when in full blossom, during August and 

 September, being practically smothered with very large racemes of 

 bright yellow flowers, suggesting a glorified Calceolaria. The tree 

 luxuriates in the moist climate of Peradeniya, but rarely produces 

 seed here. At Anuradhapura, however, in the drier region, it 

 bears fruit abundantly. It may be propagated by cuttings when 

 seeds are not procurable. 



C. nodosa (Knotted, referring to the knotted stems). A 

 moderate-sized tree, native of Eastern Bengal and Malaya, very 

 beautiful when bearing its profusion of bright pink and rose-scented 

 flowers, during May and June. The flowers are followed by 

 cylindrical pods, 12 to 15 inches long. The tree is deciduous in 

 the dry weather. 



Cochlospermum gossypium. Bixaceae. " Kinihiriya " or 

 "Ela-imbul" -S, "Kongu" T. A rather small tree, native of 

 Central India. It has become semi-naturalised in some dry parts 

 of Ceylon, and is often found planted near Buddhist temples. A 

 beautiful tree when in blossom (during February and March), with 

 its large bright yellow flowers, which are esteemed as temple 

 offerings. The tree is deciduous in the dry weather ; thrives in 

 either dry or moderately wet districts below 2,000 feet. 



Col villea racemosa. Leguininosae. Named in honour of SIR 

 CHARLES COLVILLE, when Governor of Mauritius. A medium- 

 sized tree, 30 to 40 feet high, with handsome pinnate leaves, native 

 of Mauritius and Madagascar. It bears in September large, erect, 

 close racemes of bright scarlet flowers, presenting a very showy 

 appearance. Suited to the moist or moderately-dry low-countrv. 



