SIMARUBACEAE 199 



' i 

 susceptible of a high polish, said to make handsome furniture, on the 



authority of Professor C. S. Sargent. In China it is used for general 



carpentry as well as for fuel. From the roots, an infusion is derived for, 



medicinal uses. Ailanthus reproduces freely by seeds, sprouts and root 



suckers and single trees often produce large colonies from the latter. 



Often planted in cities on account of its indifference to drought, 



smoke and other unfavorable factors. A wild silkworm Attacus eynthia 



is fed on the leaves of this and of the following species: — 



Ailanthus vilmoriniana Dode. 



Tree to 15 m. tall. Young branchlets and petioles pubescent and 

 prickly when young, the prickles or spines usually disappear when the 

 tree approaches maturity. Leaflets 17-35, oblong-lanceolate, 10-15 cm. 

 long, with 2-4 glandular teeth near the base, glaucous and pubescent 

 beneath. Fruits about 5 cm. long. 



W. China. 



PICRASMA 



Trees or shrubs with bitter properties. Leaves alternate, odd pinnate, 

 large. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, in axillary cymes or panicles, 

 yellow-green ; calyx 4-5 toothed ; petals 4-5; stamens 4-5, without scales; 

 ovary 3-5 parted, free; style united in the middle; ovules solitary. Fruit 

 a dry or fleshy, berry-like drupe. 



About 8 species in India, China and S.,& E. Australasia. Picrasma 

 quassioides is known as Ku-lien Shu and, the bark is used as a medicine. 



Picrasma quassioides Bennet. 

 (Picrasma ailantboides Planchon.) 



Shrub or tree to 10 m. tall. Leaves long, with 4-8 pairs of leaflets; 

 leaflets ovate to oblong-ovate or obovate, acuminate, serrate, 6-9 cm. long, 

 glabrous. Inflorescence tomentose, paniculate; flowers polygamous, green; 

 sepals and stamens 5; petals strap-shaped, deciduous in the staminate 

 flower. Fruit usually 3 together, bright red, the size of a pea, 1 seeded. 



Himalayas to China and Japan. Szechuan, Hupeh, Shensi, Shantung, 

 Kiangsi. 



The foliage turns bright red and orange in the autumn. The bark 

 and wood have an extremely bitter property. 



