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



135 



it wild. Leaves rather large ; it is easily distinguished by its 

 large hard smooth fruits. 



Its chief value is for the sake of the fruit, which is a 

 valuable remedy in dysentery. The bark of the root is used 

 in the same disease. 



Wood close-grained, tough. Not much used in Ceylon. 



SIMARUBACE/E. 



A small Order as regards Ceylon, represented by three 

 Genera : Ailantus, Samadera, and Suriana, of which the last 

 is only a shrub. 



86. — Ailantus malabarica. 



Kumbalu, Wal-bilin, S. s%®e>, ©<^<getf. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 230. 



A tall cylindrical-stem tree with grayish-white rough 

 bark and long crowded pinnate leaves, usually in pairs of 

 about twenty leaflets. The seeds are placed in the middle 

 of a long flat papery envelope (samara). 



Chiefly confined to the Kegalla District and along the 

 valley of the Maha-oya, especially about Rambukkana. 



Not very common. 



Wood white, soft, somewhat sponge-like, and very light, 

 about 24 lb. per cubic foot, used for tea boxes. The wood 

 gum is used in dysentery. A poor timber. 



87. — Samadera indica. 



Titta-samadara, S. ^Ssoaoe&S^d. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 231. 



A small water-loving tree with large leaves, glossy on 

 both surfaces. The seeds are enclosed in large rather bean- 

 like pods. Pinkish-yellow handsome flowers. 



Occurs on the sides of streams in both Provinces up to 

 1,000 feet. 



