CHAPTER XVIII. 



SELECTIONS OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, TREES, ETC., 

 SUITABLE FOR UP-COUNTRY. 



ORXAMEXTAL FLOU'ERIXG TREES:- 



[S.=Sinhalese ; r.=Tamil]. 



Acacia dealbata. (Leguininosae). "Silver Wattle." A small 

 Australian tree with finely cut leaves, distinguished from other 

 species of the same genus by the silvery-white under-side of the 

 leaves. Very ornamental when in flower, viz., during February 

 to March and July to August, with its large heads of yellow fragrant 

 blossom. An objection to the tree, however, is its habit of sending 

 up numerous suckers, which are difficult to eradicate. Commonly 

 grown at hill stations in India and Ceylon. Propagated by seed 

 or suckers. 



A. Baileyana. A beautiful flowering and foliage tree of 

 New South Wales, characterized by slender shoots and bluish-green 

 leaves, not unlike A. dealbata. It bears very long sprays of rich 

 yellow flowers, and is grown in France commercially for the sake 

 of the latter. The tree is grown on Fairtield Estate, Lindula, 

 and elsewhere in Ceylon. 



A. cultiformis. (Knife-formed, in reference to the form of 

 the phyllodes). "Knife-leaved Acacia." A small tree or large 

 shrub, with pale yellow flowers, produced in the dry weather twice 

 a year, and small oblong glaucous phyllodes which end in a small 

 sharp prickle. The tree is also ornamental on account of its 

 foliage. 



A. decurrens. (Running down, in allusion to the union of 

 the leaves with the stem). Common, or Black Wattle. A large 

 Australian tree, well-established at Hakgala and elsewhere up- 

 country ; yields a valuable tanning bark and useful timber. It is 

 a quick-grower, reaching a height of 40 to 50 feet in a few years, 

 and its fragrant yellow flowers, produced in the dry months, render 

 it an ornamental tree. The seeds are small, 1,790 weighing only 

 an ounce. 



