No. 53.-1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



189 



183. — Ixora coccinea. 

 Ratmal, Ratambala, S. detf©<^, <5ao®cv ; Vechchi, T. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 348. 



A rather large shrub with dark bark and stiff twigs. 

 Leaves about three inches long, oblong or oval-oblong, dark 

 shining green, with pellucid veining and very short stalks. 

 Easily recognized by its brilliant red close-clustering flowers 

 so much used for table decorations. 



Very common in both Provinces up to about 2,000 feet, 

 but never attaining a large size. 



The wood is very hard, close-grained, tough, and durable, 

 of a pale brown colour, very suitable for roof warichchies, 

 but rarely of any length or size. 



The leaves and bark are both used in medicine by the 

 natives. 



[Very common everywhere up to 2,000 feet.] 



ERICACE/E. 



This Order, justly celebrated for its magnificent flowered 

 plants, is represented by only two Genera in Ceylon, viz., 

 Gaultheria and Rhododendron. 



184. — Rhododendron arboreum. 

 Maha-ratmal, S. ®®dctf©<^. 

 Trim. Cey, Flor., vol. III., p. 63. 



A small tree with generally very much twisted and 

 contorted stems. Bark dark gray, deeply furrowed, thick. 



Leaves rather long, crowded, oblong, rather round at 

 base, pointed at apex, with usually recurved margin and thick 

 stalk. Upper surface smooth, under surface closely coated 

 with felt-like grayish hair. Flowers dark crimson, large, 

 bell -shaped, in short dense terminal heads. 



