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



181 



A very handsome large deciduous tree, with usually rather 

 short trunk. Bark pale gray, smooth, often flaking off in 

 pieces. 



Leaves opposite, rather large, variable in length, oblong- 

 oval, smooth, with conspicuous lateral veins. Stalks rather 

 short. 



Easily recognized by its handsome large flowers that often 

 cover the whole head of the tree. The flowers are usually 

 mauve or mauve-pink, often rose-pink and sometimes (at 

 Kitulgalla) white, and form large panicles. 



Fairly common up to 1,500 feet, and often planted as an 

 ornamental tree. Abundant below Kadugannawa along the 

 railway line to Rambukkana. 



Very common in the Kitulgalla valley and at Ratnapura. 



Wood shining, light red, hard, close, and durable. Weight, 

 about 45 lb. per cubic foot. 



An excellent timber, suitable for beams, joists, and heavy 

 work. Also used for oil casks. 



170. — Sonneratia acida. 



Kirilla, S. sS^ce ; Kimiai, T ©sw&w. 

 Trim. Gey. Flor., vol. II., p. 230. 



A small tree with rather pale grayish bark and spindly 

 head. Leaves oval or rather round, tapering to a very short 

 stalk, opposite, and rather thick. Flowers very handsome, 

 rose-red, large. Easily recognized by its large fruits, that 

 resemble shining green turnips, with a strong star-like 

 crown. 



Abundant in salt swamps, where it is frequently found 

 associating with Mangroves. Common on the Bentota river 

 above Ittepana. 



Wood grayish, soft, very even-grained, and light. Weight, 

 about 30 lb. Good fuel wood. The acid fruit is much eaten 

 by natives, who often expose it for sale at places on the 

 coast. 



[Tidal estuaries with Mangroves ; rather common.] 



