NO. 53. — 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



9^ 



M AG N OLI AC E/E. 



The Order contains two Genera, Michelia and Kadsura. 



6. — Michelia nilagirica. 

 Wal-sapu, S. ©^eag. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 14. 



A moderately large tree, with smooth grayish bark, found 

 only at high altitudes. It occurs above Gallagama and 

 towards the Horton Plains in the Province of Sabaragamuwa, 

 but not abundantly. 



Leaves on slender stalks about 3^ inches long, narrowing 

 to both ends. 



A very valuable timber, greenish-brown when freshly cut. 

 Is useful for doors and windows, and makes very handsome 

 panels. Durable. Weight, about 40 lb. per cubic foot. 



Flowers very sweet-scented, pale yellow. 



Known to up-country carpenters as Wal-buruta or Wild 

 Satinwood, probably because of the likeness of the wood 

 to the real Satinwood (Buruta). 



[Mountain zone forests above 5,000 feet ; common.] 



7. — >M. Ghampaca. 

 Sapu or Hapu, S. eag or eog. 



A large tree, much cultivated in Ceylon, but is an intro- 

 duction. Much like the last, but the leaves are considerably 

 larger. 



The flowers — for the sake of which probably the tree was 

 first cultivated — have a delicious scent, large, yellow. Seeds 

 very freely, and attractive in colour, being not unlike pink 

 coral. 



Fairly common about old gardens between 2,000 and 3,000 

 feet, but nowhere regularly cultivated by the natives. 



Affords a most excellent timber, well suited for doors, 

 windows, floors, and all sorts of panel work. Light straw- 

 yellow, and takes a good varnish. Very durable, and when 

 well seasoned will not warp readily. Weight, 40 lb. per 

 cubic foot (?), 



