ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE TREES 315 



Schizolobium excelsum. Legiuninosae. A large quick-grow- 

 ing tree, with spreading branches and very graceful large feathery 

 leaves, which are finely bi-pinnate. Thrives up to 1,500 feet, 

 and flowers in the dry weather, bearing seed in June. (See under 

 Beautiful Flowering Trees). 



Swietenia mahogani. Meliaceac. The mahogany tree, noted 

 for its superior wood, native of tropical Central America, and 

 introduced into Ceylon about 1840. It thrives best in the drier 

 climate of the north of the Island, where it often produces seed. 

 It is found to thrive in various parts of India, sometimes producing 

 seed freely. The fine pinnate leaves and ever-green foliage 

 render the tree worthy of growing for shade or ornament. 



Swietenia macrophylla A handsome upright tree, also of 

 Tropical America, distinguished from the latter species by its 

 larger pinnate leaves ; it is also a more rapid grower than the 

 ordinary Mahogany, and is suited to a moist climate, thriving up 

 to 2,000 feet. The discovery of this species and its introduction 

 to the East were due to an accident, chance seeds being received 

 with others and sown at the Botanic Gardens, Calcutta ; the 

 .seedlings, on being discovered, were watched and on reaching 

 maturity were found to be a new species, which was named by 

 KING as above. 



Terminalia belerica. Conibretacea \ " Bulu, " S. A huge, 

 handsome tree, with straight, often buttressed, trunk and long 

 horizontal branches, native of the moist low country, also of India 

 and Malaya ; often planted for use or ornament. 



T. Catappa. Country or Indian Almond ; " Kotamba" S. 

 A medium-sized tree with large handsome shining leaves, native 

 of Malaya, but now grown in most tropical countries. Its greatest 

 disadvantage is that it sheds its leaves twice a year, causing a litter 

 on the ground for a considerable time. (See under Tropical Fruits). 



Trevesia palmata. Araliaceae. A small, sparsely branched 

 tree, with expansive palmate or digitate leaves. The young leaves, 

 in a radiating crown at the top, are of a striking dark crimson. 



Trichadenia zeylanica. Bixaceae. " Tolol " or " Titta-tolol, " 

 S. A large tree with very handsome foliage, the oblong or oval 

 .leaves being 6 to 12 inches long, borne on long slender branches. 

 Peculiar to the moist low-country of Ceylon. 



Vateria acuminata. Dipterocarpaceae. " Hal, " S. A large 

 .handsome tree, with spreading branches and a round head. Leaves 



