140 XXXI. LBGUMINOS^. [Erythrina. 



shorter than standard, petals of keel distinct. Stamens monadelphous at 

 base, higher up the tenth stamen distinct. Legume 6-12 in. long,_ cuspi- 

 date, protuberant at the seeds, black and wrinlded when ripe, with 1-8 

 oblong, smooth, red or purple seeds. 



Cultivated throughout India and Burma. Wild in Bengal, Burma, South 

 India, and in the Gonda forests of Oudh. Old leaves shed early in autumn, 

 the young foliage issues in March and April. Fl. in February, March, before 

 the leaves appear ; pods j-ipen from May-July. Grows readily from outtiags. 



A moderate-sized tree of rapid growth, with straight trunk and numerous 

 branches, the branchlete armed with prickles to the third or fourth year. Bark 

 thin, yeUowish or greenish cinereous, smooth, shining, with longitudinal whitish 

 cracks. Wood white, light and soft (called Mochi wood in Madras), much used 

 for light boxes, toys, scabbards, trays, and planking. Does not warp or split, 

 varnishes well ; much of the lacquered ware of different parts of India is made 

 of it. Planted largely in Bengal and South India to support the Betel and 

 black-pepper vine ; also in hedges. 



2. E. suberosa, Eoxb. 1. c. 253 ; W. & A. Prodr. 260.— Vem. Gulnash- 

 tar, paridra, thai, Pb. ; Dauldhak, rungra, roivdnra, maddra, N.W.P. ; 

 Nasut, Oudh ; Pdngra, C.P. 



Young branches, leaves, and inflorescence covered with a soft tomentum 

 of long bi- or tri-furc^te hairs. Branchlets armed with scattered, white, 

 shining, conical prickles ; petioles and leaves generally unarmed,' some- 

 times with a few scattered prickles. Leaflets rhomboid, entire, under- 

 neath pale and tomentose, or covered with adpressed hairs. Eacemes 

 1-4, near ends of branchlets, 4-5 in. long ; flowers scarlet, in fascicles of 

 2-3, on pedicels \ in. long, smaller than those of E. indiea. Calyx 2- 

 lipped. Standard oblong, narrowed into a short claw, 5-6 times longer 

 than calyx, more than twice the length of the keel ; petals of keel connate, 

 broad, many times larger than the minute falcate wings. Stamens mona- 

 delphous. Legume about 5 in. long, cylindrical, contracted between 

 seeds, acuminate, with 2-4 glabrous black seeds. 



Common wild in the Siwahk tract and lower Himalaya, from the Bavi to the 

 Sarda, ascending to 3000 ft., occasionally found at 4000 ft. Otidh, the Central 

 Profinces, and not uncommon in South India. Frequently cultivated. Old 

 leaves shed in January, young foliage issues in March and April, shortly before 

 the flowers appear. Pods ripen in June. Cuttings, even of large branches, take 

 root readily, and grow well. A moderate-sized tree, 40-50 ft. high, with an erect 

 trimk, 3-4, at times 6 ft. girth. Branchlets shining grey, armed with prickles 

 to the third year. Bark corky, deeply cracked, and with longitudinal farrows, 

 the old scales pale brown, the younger bark green-coloured. Wood white, soft, 

 light, but fibrous and tough. Used extensively for scabbards, sieve-frames, and 

 occasionally for planking. 



3. E. arborescens, Eoxb. Cor. PI. t. 219 ; Fl. Ind. iii. 256.— Vern. 

 Rungara, Kamaon. 



Young parts clothed with short, soft, ferruginous pubescence. Leaflets 

 glabrous when full grown, broadly ovate on a cordate base, entire, long 

 acuminate, with 5-7 lateral nerves on either side of midrib. Petiole twice 

 the length of leaflets, with a few scattered prickles. Eacemes erect, axil- 



