32 MAI NGIU. 
MAI NGIU. (Cottonwood tree (Bombac mala- 
baricum) Leaves digitate, leaflets cuspidate, Calyx simple, 
from 3-5-toothed, corol five-petalled. Stamina numerous 
in two series of fascicles. Capsule five celled, five valved: 
Seeds woolly. 
The flowers are big, inside dark red and outside 
pink. The 5 celled drupes are big and woody. The bark 
is grey and covered with sharp conical prickles, with. 
corky base. When old these prickles disappear. The 
leaves are long-petioled. 
The wood is white when fresh cut, turning dark 
on exposure, it is very light, soft and perishable. :t has 
no annual rings. Pores very scanty, very large, often 
oval or divided into compartments. Medullary rays fine 
to broad, numerous, not prominent. 
In order to avoid the wood turning dark the log 
should be sawn up fresh and the planks dried separately. 
Cheap planks can be sawn out of it. Ifthey aie painted 
in time they may last several years. 
Under water it lasts fairly long. It may be used 
in making boxes for packing and planks for temporary 
