f LOWERING TREES 301 



Solanum macranthum. Solanaccae. "Potato-Tree." A 

 medium-sized, quick- growing and soft wooded tree of Brazil, reach- 

 ing a height of 40 to 50 feet, first introduced into Ceylon in 1844. 

 It is a handsome object when in full blossom, the large blue and 

 white Bowers, with conspicuous yellow anthers, being produced at 

 most seasons of the year, but more especially after the dry weather. 

 The large prickly leaves also render the tree very ornamental. 

 Thrives best in partially shaded situations, at elevations below 

 3,000 feet. This is the only species of the Potato order that grows 

 into a tree form. 



Spathodea campanulata. Bignoniaccae. A tall, erect tree 

 from Western Tropical Africa, introduced into Ceylon in 1873, 

 and now fairly commonly planted about Kandy and elsewhere as 

 an ornamental shade-tree. Its large, bright orange-red, erect 

 flowers, produced at the tips of the branches throughout the wet 

 season, render it strikingly handsome and conspicuous at a dis- 

 tance. The unexpanded flowers contain a quantity of water, 

 hence it has been called the " Fountain-Tree." It thrives up to 

 1,500 feet. 



Stenocarpus sinuatus. Proteaceae. " Fire Tree," or "Tulip 

 Tree" of Queensland. See Flowering Trees for Up-country. 



Sterculia colorata. Sterculiaceae. " Malaiparutti," T. A 

 moderate-sized tree, reaching a height of 40 to 50 feet, indigenous 

 to the dry region of Ceylon, but thrives also in moist districts. 

 The brilliant orange-scarlet flowers, appearing in great profusion 

 when the tree is leafless (February to March at Peradeniya), render 

 the tree a conspicuous and handsome object. The Veddas (ab- 

 originals of Ceylon) call the tree " Kenawila," and sing odes to it. 



Stereospermum xylocarpum. Bignoniaccae. " Padri-tree" of 

 India. A large, spreading tree, with small pinnate leaves, native 

 of South India, deciduous for a short period in the dry w r eather. 

 It bears for a week or two a profusion of white, bell-shaped 

 flowers. Thrives up to 1,500 feet. 



Tabebuia spectabilis. Bignoniaceae. A small tree of Vene- 

 zuela and the West Indies, introduced at Peradeniya in 1881. For a 

 short period, in March or April, when bare of leaves, the tree 

 is an exceedingly beautiful sight, being literally covered with 

 masses of bright-yellow flowers, which as they drop form a 

 golden carpet on the ground. Thrives at Peradeniya (1,500 feet),, 

 but as yet only rarely produces seed here. 



