SPONIA WIGHTII. (Nat. order Urtice».> 



SpONTA, Lam, — GEN. CHAR. Flowers polygamous, male, female and hermathrodite, or disseious in axillary cymes, perianth persistent 

 of 5 segments imbricate or nearly valvate in the bud. Stamens exscrted opposite to and a3 many as the segments of the perianth, surrounding an abortive 

 ovary anthers introrse, 2-celled, ovai-y globose sessile 1-celled, stigmas 2 short and plumose, drupe ovoid or globose, cotyledons folded. Trees, leaves 

 alternate, flowers small usually numerous. 



SpONIA WlQHTII. (Planch.) A small or middling sized tree not of long duration, leaves obliquely cordate serrate 

 finely acuminate, above a little scabrous, beneath villous and whitish, flowers axillary on short 2-cIeft diverging peduncles, the male 

 and female generally on separate trees, but sometimes mixed, in the male a small obovate abortive ovary, in the females stigmas about 

 as lone as the ovary, drupe small succulent, when ripe black, nut rugose 1-celled, 1 seeded. Planchon Ann. des Scien. Nat. Ser. iiL 

 vol. s. ; — Wight I cones tab. 1971. 



This tree is common throughout the presidency, and it is occasionally planted by coffee planters for shade because of its rapid growth, 

 and is known to them as the Charcoal-tree ; it ascends the mountains to above 5000 feet elevation. The wood is soft and white, but makes about the 

 best charcoal for gunpowder ; it is called in Tamil Mini, and in Teligu Oadda nelli. It is very curious hoxo this tree springs up in all places where 

 heavy moist forest is cleared away for coffee or other purposes, although there may not be a plant of it within mile;. 



Analysis. 



1. Branch of male tree in flower. 



2. Branch of female tree in flower. 



3. The male inflorescence magnified. 



4. A bract. 



5. A flower bud. 



6. A flower. 



7. The same open, shewing 5 stamens inserted round an abortive ovary. 



8. Anther, front view. 



9. Anther, back view. 



10. Female inflorescence magnified. 



11. A female flower, calyx, ovary and stigmas. 



12. The imbricate calyx or perianth opened. 



13. Stigma much magnified. 



14. Ovary cut vertically, 1-celled, 1 pendulous ovule. 



15. Ovary cut transversely. (All drawn from fresh specimens collected on the Nilgiris, 4000 feet elevation.) 



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