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



221 



size, usually about five inches long, oblong-oval, tapering at 

 base, rounded at apex, smooth on both surfaces, with promi- 

 nent veining below. Stalks about half an inch. 



Flowers greenish, numerous, crowded, axillary. Fruits 

 small, round, and purple ; a favourite food with the wood 

 pigeon. 



Rather common in the wet forests above 1,500 feet to 

 4,000 feet in both Provinces, but more abundant in Sabara- 

 gamuwa. 



Wood reddish-brown, close, rather hard, even-grained, 

 taking a good polish. 



An excellent wood for flooring boards, rafters, ceilings 

 and door frames. 



The bark affords a juice used as an embrocation. 



[Very common.] 



232. — Litsea zeylanica. 

 Kudu-dawula, Dawul-kuruhdu, S. a$|te§c> ^Sc^^fi* 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 454. 



A small tree, with thick smooth grayish bark. Leaves 

 crowded, about five inches, lanceolate, tapering to both ends 

 smooth, rather waxy below, prominently three-nerved at 

 base, on slender short stalks. 



Flowers pale yellowish-white, in small close four- or five- 

 flowered clusters. Fruits small, purple, much sought after 

 by pigeons. 



Fairly common above 2,000 feet, especially near Balan- 

 goda and towards Gallagama. Scarce in the Western 

 Province. 



Wood pale orange-yellow, sometimes with a distinctly 

 greenish tinge, close, rather hard, easily polished. Weight, 

 about 45 lb. per cubic foot. Very suitable for doors, panels, 

 dadoes, ceilings, and tea boxes. 



The fruit affords an oil. 



[Moist region up to 4,000 feet ; very common.] 



