260 FOREST TBEES. 



A small evergreen tree of quick growth and 

 resinous nature. ,Often found in forest clearings and 

 as a shade to coffee. ^ Easily distinguished from 

 allied genera by its handsome peltate leaves. 

 Abundant in Coorg and Western Mysore. A medi- 

 cinal gum or reddish clammy secretion having the 

 odour of turpentine, exudes from the young shoots 

 and fruit. This product is said to be used for taking 

 impressions and sizing paper. The wood is soft 

 and useless. Flowers small, green, in dense panicles. 

 Fruit globose, the size of a pea. 



518 Ricinus communis, Limsr. Kan. Haralu gida. 

 The castor- oil plant. There are three distinct 



varieties cultivated in the fields as a dry crop, viz., 

 the doclda — large — chittu — small — and Jcempu, red. 

 The stalks are utilised as fuel by the poorer classes. 



519 Gelonium lanceoiatum, Willd. 

 Fig.— Wight. Ic. t. 1867. 



'References— Gamb. Man. Timh; Diet, of Econ. 

 Prod, oflnd. 

 An evergreen tree of conical growth, 30—35 ft. 

 Leaves numerous, small, alternate, coriaceous, 

 oblong-lanceolate to ovate but never lanceolate; 

 Stammate flowers small, crowded at the nodes, 

 creamy-white. The male tree is usually very 

 symmetrical, and tapers gradually from a wide base 

 to a sharp pointed apex. A dark green foliage 

 heightens the effect of this regular outline, and 

 makes the tree an attractive object for scenic effect. 

 —In Coorg, there is a tree called Garcinia xantho- 

 cliymus, which grows in exactly the same form and 

 IS even finer in foliage and outlme.— The female tree 

 formerly m the collection of the Botanical Gardens 

 was less conical in form, and looked more like a 

 huge shrub branching thickly from the base. That 

 however may have been exceptional in the solitary 

 specnnen referred to. The male tree, of which there 

 are several specimens about Bangalore, alwayi^ 



