213 VEGETATION 



PuNiCA GRANATUM L. (Pomegranate). 

 The pomegranate is easily grown in the Bahamas, and its ornamental 

 fruits and flowers make it a popular shrub in Nassau gardens. 



^ Terminalia catappa L. (Almond). 

 Plate XXXIV, Fig. 1. 

 A rather small tree with large, thick leaves that is common on the streets 

 and landings of Nassau. This is not the true almond, but the fruit has an 

 edible kernel. The tree is most valued for ornament and shade. 



AcHRAS SAPOTA L. (Sapodilla). 

 A good-sized tree with russet-colored fruit that is very popular in the 

 West Indies. It is freely cultivated on New Providence and most of the other 

 islands of the Bahama group. 



TREES CULTIVATED FOR ORNAMENT. 

 Some of the most common of these are the following: 



Melia azedarach L. (China Tree). 

 A very attractive small tree of the same family as mahogany. The yellow 

 wood takes a fine polish and has been used for interior work. The fruit is 

 liked by animals and is useful as a vermifuge for horses. Sparingly natural- 

 ized. 



Ficus SAPOTiFOLiA Kunth and Benche (Tree fig). 

 Plate XXXIV, Fig. 3. 

 The conspicuous fig tree at "Thomson's folly," near Nassau, is of this 

 native species and not Ficus bengalensis L., the true banyan of India. Other 

 native arboreal figs, such as Ficus jacquinifolia Rich, are well worthy of culti- 

 vation. The seeds of many species of Ficus often sprout on the trunks and 

 branches of other trees and, sending down long roots to the ground, grow to 

 such an extent as to destroy and supplant the host. 



C^SALPiNiA pulcherrima Sw. (Pride of Barbados). 

 A small tree closely related to the poinciana and, like it, a profuse and 

 brilliant bloomer. It may be found in Nassau, but is not so freely cultivated 

 as the poinciana. 



