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



229 



A small tree with cylindrical stem and many much-ridged 

 branches. 



Leaves oblong-lanceolate, three to five inches long, alter- 

 nate, tapering to extremities, rather thin, dark dull green 

 above, much paler below, with short stalks. Male and female 

 flowers very different in appearance, white, few. Males in 

 clusters, females solitary or in twos. 



Very abundant, and almost a characteristic plant of the 

 dry zone. I have not met with it in the Western Province. 



The wood is little used, as it rarely attains a workable size. 

 Suitable for mine props and temporary structures. Affords 

 an excellent fuel. 



246 . — Agros tis tetchy s lo n g ifo I ia . 



Beru, S. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 56. 



A small shrubby tree, with thick much leaf -scarred bran- 

 ches. Leaves rather crowded, stiff, rather variable in length, 

 usually about nine inches, on short stalks, ovate-oblong, 

 tapering to base, abruptly pointed at apex, dark green above, 

 often with lichenous growths. Flowers pale yellowish- 

 white, in hanging racemes ; fruits very small. 



An abundant hill species, common over 4,000 feet, and 

 often gregarious. 



The stiff leaves last for a considerable period before 

 decomposing, and are therefore often used for roofing and 

 shading for nurseries and seed planted at stake. 



The wood is resinous, and burns freely even when quite 

 green. Suitable for rafters. The cooly name on estates 

 for this plant is " Tirrani," and it is often used by them for 

 fencing round lines. 



247. — Agrostistachys Hookeri. 



Kunu-beru, S. «p^g®©di. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 55. 



