is one of a considerable number of South and Central American trees 
bearing large and showy flowers. This species occurs also in west 
Africa. It is described by Hutchinson & Dalziel as a tree to 40 feet 
or more bearing pale red-purple or lilac fragrant flowers in dense 
sprays that hang from the leaf axils. Grisebach calls. the flowers 
purple. In Africa it ordinarily flowers when the limbs are leafless 
but my specimens have shown no disposition to go bare in the winter 
months. My seed was from Trinidad. It is closely related to but 
not identical with Rhodesian wisteria tree (Bolusanthus speciosus) 
which was distributed some years ago by the Bureau of Plant Intro- 
duction as P.I. 133317 and of which I have several specimens. It is 
described by Macmillan as one of the showiest of African flowering 
trees. 
VIRGILIA DIVARICATA. (Papilionaceae). South African tree 
with sprays of rose-purple flowers. I also have P. oroboides from seed 
obtained in South Africa but have no description of the flowers. 
BAUHINIA VIOLACEA. I think this is my favorite of the 
dark-colored Bauhinia flowers, for it is a rich violet, arresting in its 
color It blooms twice a year and makes a splendid tree for the 
smal] garden. 
ANDIRA INERMIS. (Papilionaceae). Caspack ANGELINTREE. 
(Syn.: Geoffroya inermis). A Brazilian tree that grows to 50 feet or 
more with a dense, dark green crown, this rare plant bears once a 
year large conspicuous bunches of purple (sometimes pink or pinkish- 
mauve) flowers at the ends of the branches. Often these sprays of 
bloom are a foot long. Standley’s “Flora of Costa Rica” says: “The 
tree is a handsome one when loaded with its showy flowers.” It is 
a common highway tree in Central America and in west Africa. The 
leaves vary greatly in color on different trees, being light yellow or 
wine colored when new, and several different shades of green at 
maturity. The gray bark has a bad odor, is used as a vermifuge. 
Holdridge “Trees of Puerto Rico” says Andira is “very attractive when 
in bloom” and has been used recently on the island for reforestation 
purpose. The wood is strong, durable and fairly heavy. 
LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA. (Lythraceae). One of the most 
beautiful of our flowering trees, this will be planted more and more 
as its beauty is appreciated. Small trees for planting have been avail- 
able only in recent years. Now too, I have succeeded in germinating 
seed and have a few small trees of Lagerstroemia turbinata, an even 
more beautiful, variety that has been cultivated in Cuba for several 
vears. Another striking member of this family introduced into Cuba 
from India is Lagerstroemia thorellii which Ida Colthurst, in her book 
about Indian trees, says “is very popular for its beauty and long season 
of bloom, which make it le dernier cri (the last word) in tree planting.” 
18 
