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



A common hill species, abundant about the Horton Plains, 

 where it often becomes a very large tree. 



The timber is a favourite with up-country carpenters, and 

 deservedly so, as it is applicable for all sorts of building 

 purposes. Light reddish-brown with beautiful wavy brown 

 grain, easily worked, durable. Weight, 46 lb. per cubic foot. 

 Sometimes used for shingles, but does not split clean. 



The flowers are pinkish-white and sweet smelling. 



[Ambagamuwa, Knuckles, upper montane zone forests.] 



32. — Kayea stylosa. 

 Suwahda, S. ^€)q. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 104. 



A rather large tree with reddish bark and small leaves. 

 Flowers very sweet scented, red in bud, white or soft rose- 

 white when open. Leaves small, lanceolate, stiff. 



Very rare. Occurs in the Pasdun Korale on branches of 

 the Maguru-ganga. 



Wood moderately hard, fine graiued, of a handsome 

 brownish-red colour. Well suited for window frames or 

 sash bars and panels. 



33. — Mesua ferrea (Ironwood). 

 Na, S. ass ; Nakka, T. jb(t&<bl. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 105. 



A large handsome tree with fine bold head when old, 

 rather smooth bark. Leaves numerous, about three to four 

 inches long, dark shining green above, ashy below, and coated 

 with a white waxy dust. When in young leaf there is no 

 more beautiful tree in our forests than this. 



Fairly common and of wide distribution, probably due to 

 the fact that it is a favourite tree for flower offerings at 

 Buddhist shrines and for groves near old viharas. The 

 flowers are sweet scented and very beautiful, easily 

 recognized by their large white petals. Occurs in a wild 

 state up to 4,000 feet, especially in sandy soils. Abundant at 

 Galagama and near the dividing range between the Central 



