FLOWERING TREES 297 



to have been first introduced into Ceylon by MR. C. DRIEBERG, 

 when Superintendent of the former Agricultural School at Colombo. 



Jacaranda mimosaefolia. Rignoninceae. A very elegant tree, 

 both on account of its leaves and Mowers. It reaches a height of 

 40 to 50 feet, and bears at different seasons, but chiefly in the 

 drier months, a profusion of blue bell-shaped flowers on the young 

 shoots as well as on the older branches. The elegant bi-pinnate 

 Mimosa-like leaves make the seedlings well worth growing as 

 -small ornamental foliage plants in pots. 



Kleinhovia hospita. Stercnliaceae. A large handsome Ma- 

 layan tree, introduced into Ceylon about 1820. It bears large 

 terminal panicles of pink or rose-coloured flowers, which appear 

 -during July or August. Thrives in the moist low country. 



Lagerstroemia flos-reginae. Lylhniceae. " Pride of India," 

 " Murutu " S. A tree of about 50 to 60 feet in height, native of 

 Ceylon, India, and Malaya. It is undoubtedly one of the most 

 strikingly showy of flowering trees, and from April to July or later 

 bears from the ends of the branches huge panicles of large beauti- 

 ful mauve or pink flowers. The older trees are deciduous for a 

 short period during the dry weather. There are two or more 

 varieties; a vaiiety which is common in Ceylon has lovely bright- 

 pink flowers, and is exceedingly attractive. 



L. tomentosa. A moderate-sized handsome tree, native of 

 hot and moist parts of Burma, introduced at Peradeniya in 1891. 

 It blossoms twice a year, in April and October, bearing large erect 

 panicles of lovely bright flowers, produced from the end of every 

 branch. A very ornamental tree when in blossom. 



Ligustrum Walkeri. Oleaceae. Ceylon Privet. A small 

 shrubby tree, with fine foliage, producing after the rains large 

 clusters of creamy-white scented flowers. It is indigenous to the 

 lower montane zone of Ceylon (3,000 to 5,000 feet), and is pro- 

 pagated from seed. 



Lysidice rhodostegia. Lcgiiminosuc. A large handsome tree, 

 native of Southern China, introduced at Peradeniya in 1882. It 

 thrives here and bears from December to February masses of 

 pink or rose-coloured erect inflorescence, produced from the 

 extremities of the branches. The persistent coloured calyces 

 render the tree very showy for several weeks. 



Mesua ferrea. Gultifcme- "Iron-wood;" " Na-gaha " S, 

 " Xaka " T A moderate-sized, broad, conical, slow-growing tree, 

 native of the hot and moist regions of Ceylon, India and Malaya. 



