SAND-BINDING PLAXTS 445 



Pandanus odoratissima. Screw Pine; " Mudu-keiya" S. A 

 spreading bush with numerous aerial roots, which descend and fix 

 the plant in the sand. 



Barringtonia racemosa. "Medilla" S. A small tree with 

 drooping branches, common near the sea-shore in Ceylon. 



Tephrosia purpurea. "Plla" S. A perennial, 1 to 2 feet 

 high; flowers small, purplish-pink. 



Cassia auriculata. " Ranawara" S. An annual, 1 to 2 feet 

 high, with spreading branches and bright-yellow flowers. The 

 dried leaves form the " Matara Tea" of Ceylon. 



FOR INLAND SANDY BANKS 



Certain useful sand or bank-binding plants also afford valuable 

 fodder or gra/ing for cattle. Thus in the low-country, the 

 "Mauritius-grass" (Panicnm iniilicnin), "Guinea grass" (P. maxi- 

 mum), and "Etora" (P. repent) are excellent subjects for combin- 

 ing the purposes of fodder and soil-binding on the banks of rivers 

 or streams; while in drier situations the Doob-grass or "Arugam- 

 pillu" T (Cynodon Daciylon), Love-grass or "Tulteri" S. (Chrysopogon 

 nciculatus), " Hin-undu-piyali" S. (Dcsmodium triflorum), C(issi<r 

 mimosifolia, and the Sensitive-plant (Mimosa pitdica). all have useful 

 binding properties on loose sandy soils. At elevations of 4,000 to 

 6,000 feet, Paspalum dilatatum ("Golden-Crown" grass) is an 

 excellent plant for binding railway banks, etc., while it is also one 

 of the best fodder plants for up-country. 



