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



143 



OLACINE/E. 



The Order, which is composed of trees, shrubs, and 

 sometimes creeping plants, is in Ceylon composed of ten 

 Genera, viz., Ximenia, Olax, Strombosia, Opilia, Cansjera, 

 Lasianthera, Gomphandra, Apodytes, Mappia, and Pyrena- 

 cantha, few of which are of importance here. 



101. — Olax zeylanica. 



Mella, S. ®i<^e- 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 257. 



A small tree or bush with yellow leaves and yellowish 

 stem. Flowers very small, sparse, followed by shining red 

 smooth ovoid fruits. 



Yery common all through the Kalutara District, except in 

 dense forests. Occurs sparingly up to 1,200 feet. 



Valued chiefly for the sake of its leaves, that are eaten 

 in curries. 



Wood close, soft, but too small to be valued as a timber. 



102. — Lasianthera apicalis. 



tFrukanu, S. ci3i«s<@. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 260. 



A large tree with cylindrical stem, grayish bark, and 

 smooth twigs. Leaves rather large, thick, glossy above, 

 with a very conspicuous midrib. Flowers small, close- 

 packed, dull greenish-purple. 



Fairly common, especially in the wet forests in the valley 

 of the Kalu-ganga up to the base of the Peak range, and 

 again around Kitulgalla. 



A soft, pale yellowish- white loose-grained wood, moder- 

 ately light. In considerable demand for tea boxes, but 

 worthless as a building timber. 



Weight, when dry, about 34 lb. per cubic foot, but difficult 

 to season. 



