SACRED TREES 583 



Butea frondosa. Palas or Parasu. (Lcguiniiiosac). A beautiful tree, especially 



sacred to Brahmin races in India. 



Melia Azedarach. Xeem or Nim Tree ; Persian Lilac ; Bead Tree. (Mt'liucctte). 

 Nyctanthes Arbor-tristis. Sepala or Sepalika ; " Night-flowering jasmine." 



(Oletict'tic). A small tree of Central India; the flowers are much used 



in Hindu worship and as votive offerings. 

 Plumeria acutifolia. Temple Tree. (Apocynaccae). A small tree, commonly 



planted near Buddhist temples in Ceylon, the highly-scented flowers 



being greatly esteemed as temple offerings. 

 Ocimum sanctum. Sacred Basil : Tulsi. (Liibiatnc). A herbaceous perennial. 



2 to 3 ft. high. This is the most sacred plant in the Hindu religion, and 



is consequently found near every- Hindu house throughout India. 

 Stereospermum xylocarpum. " Padri Tree" of India. 

 Sterculia colorata. Malaiparutti, T. (Sterculiaceat). A handsome flowering 



tree, indigenous to the dry region (Eastern Province) of Ceylon. The 



aboriginals (Veddas) sing odes to it. 

 Prosopis spicigera. Sami Tree. (Leguminosae). A small tree sacred to the 



Hindus generally all over India. 

 Kigelia pinnata. Sausage Tree. (Btgnoninccae). A large spreading tree with 



large curious gourd-like fruits, indigenous to tropical Africa, in parts of 



which it is held sacred by the Natives. See p. 577, etc. 

 Nandina domestica. " Sacred Bamboo " of China. (Berberidaccae). An erect 



shrub with unbranching stems, bearing tufts of small pinnate leaves at the 



top, producing large panicles of creamy flowers, followed by red berries ; 



native of S. China, and much esteemed in that country for use at temples. 

 Nelumbium speciosum. Egyptian Lotus ; Olu, S. (Xynipliiicnccac). A handsome 



water-plant with large round leaves, and very large pink or white flowers 



borne on erect stalks 2 to 3 ft. above the water. It has been held sacred 



by the Egyptians from time immemorial, and is also venerated in parts 



of India, China, etc. 



