MUSSCENDA MACROPHYLLA. 



NATURAL ORDER, CINCHONACEiE. 



HE subject of this illustration belongs to a genus of rather 

 large shrubs, with heavy dense foliage, of oval-shaped, deep, 

 dull green leaves. 



There is very little difference between the species ; they blossom 

 during the hot and rainy seasons, and bear numerous corymbs of 

 bright, star-formed orange-coloured flowers. 



The hairy white leaves which constitute the principal ornament 

 of the plants are developed from the calyxes of one or two flowers 

 in each corymb ; they make a pleasing contrast to the dull and 

 sombre green leaves. 



The orange flowers are bright and dazzling, but they are small, 

 and, were it not for the white or cream-coloured leaves, this bush 

 would not be much sought for as an ornament to our gardens. 



If left unchecked, the Mussoenda becomes very straggling and 

 scandent in its growth, reaching at times over large mango trees, 

 where its creamy leaves and bright flowers are seen to great advantage 

 amongst the shining glossy foliage of the mango. 



During the rains its growth is very rapid, and it spreads consider- 

 ably, forming quite a jungle of any shrubbery or plantation ; it is 

 therefore necessary to prune it well in the cold season when it has 

 shed its leaves. 



Ferminger mentions that it seeds abundantly, but this is not the 

 case all over India. I have never been able to get any, nor have I 

 noticed young self-sown plants. It takes easily from cuttings, which 

 is the usual mode of propagation. 



Roxburgh remarks that " in some parts of India the white floral 

 leaves are brou"ht to table as an excellent herb." : 



It is a very woody, hard-limbed shrub, a native of India, and 

 occasionally found in a wild state in the jungle. 



The flowers generally grow in pairs, the stems and calyxes being 

 covered with small fine hairs; the star-like flowers surmount a long 

 narrow tube of a pale yellow colour. 



