190 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



anythinglike this stature. The tendency 

 of the tree is to expand in a low broad 

 head of increasing diameter, while the 

 central stem rises but slowly. This form 

 of growth is due to the abnormal de- 

 velopment of a lower bud upon the 

 shoots, which (contrary to usage) gains 

 the mastery, and by diverting growth 

 from the upper part of the branch pushes 

 outwards rather than up. Its beauty, 

 even in bush form, is different from that 

 of most young trees, and on gaining 

 height the effect of its umbrella-head 

 composed of branches springing in tiers 

 at more or less regular intervals, and 

 bearing large leaves upon long, trem- 

 bling leaf-stalks, is distinct and grace- 

 ful. The leaves are 8 to 10 inches long 

 and 6 wide,roundly heart-shaped at the 

 base, with a long tip and prominent 

 crimson veins, in fine contrast with the 

 greyish under face of the leaf. Soft in 

 textureand drooping gracefully on their 

 long crimson stems — often nearly afoot 

 in length — the spreading crown of vivid 

 light green is strikingly beautiful. The 

 tree begins to flower at 10 or 12 years 

 old with long drooping clusters (show- 

 ing life-size in the engraving), which, 

 though not showy, are very sweet and 

 attractive. Thegreenish-yellow flowers 

 have a dense tuft of light-coloured sta- 

 mens tipped with bright orange, and 

 their fragrance as of a sweet Vanda draws 

 the bees from far and near. The flowers 

 of the female tree are smaller and give 

 place to berries of orange or dusky red 

 and about the size of a large pea; being 

 dry and bitter they have no value as food, 

 though on first appearance the Idesia 

 was vaunted as a new fruit tree. Where 



plants of either sex are wanting it is a 

 good plan to graft branches of both upon 

 the same stem and thus enjoy the effect 

 of flowers and berries in their season. 

 To make a tree speedily the plant must 

 be pruned rather closely while young, 

 removing each year the lower branches 

 so as to relieve the central stem, which, 

 thus encouraged, grows stout and erect. 

 Where seed is not to be had it may be 

 increased in spring or autumn from cut- 

 tings of the root or half-ripened shoots 

 in sandy loam and gentle heat, but seed- 

 lings give the most vigorous growth. 

 It grows freely in light sandy soils, but 

 does not do well in heavy or damp 

 ground, though quite hardy in most 

 places. A variety known as crispa bears 

 leaves strangely cut,rolled,and crinkled, 

 but its only interest is as a curiosity. 



A fine example of the Idesia, which 

 has reached a height of nearly 1 5 feet 

 in as many years, with a trunk about 

 1 2 inches round at the base, is growing 

 in the Rhododendron dellatKew. It is 

 a female and fruits regularly, fertilised 

 by other trees within a short distance; 

 its fruits are described as of dull purplish 

 black, but they are sometimes brighter 

 in colour. This tree has shown itself per- 

 fectly hardy. Older and larger examples 

 are probably to be found in some gar- 

 dens of the south and south-west, and 

 about Queenstown in Ireland, but only 

 in isolated specimens. The Idesia is 

 akin to the Azaras of Chili and South 

 America, and classed with them. The 

 tree was named in honour of Ides, a 

 Dutch traveller and botanist in the 

 far East. Syns. Flacourtia japonica and 

 Polyca?~pa Maximowiczii. 



