CANDLENUT 
CANDLENUT (Aleurites moluccana. 
Syn. A. triloba). A rather tall, spreading, 
handsome evergreen East Indian tree with 
heavy, irregular, large-leafed crown ap- 
pearing whitish or frosted from a distance. 
This distinguishes it from the other four 
species growing in Florida, including the 
Tung Oil tree. The buff-white small 
flowers come in abundant, graceful clust- 
ers in March and often again in late sum- 
mer. These are followed by a crop of 
nuts rich in oil, which are sometimes 
strung together on pine needles in the 
Moluccas and used as candles. It makes 
a big shade tree and thrives with little or 
no care. Common names for it include 
Varnish Tree and Indian walnut. 
~ CAROB (Ceratonia siliqua). This ever- 
green dome-topped tree from the Mediter- 
ranean, is much planted as an avenue tree 
in southern California because it thrives 
on neglect and low rainfall. Its fruits are 
prized in the Near East as fodder, with 
nutritive value higher than oats. The 
brown-red flowers in short spikes on the 
trunk or branch are inconspicuous. Sexes 
are on different trees. 
INDIALAUREL FIG. (Ficus nitida. 
Syn. F. retusa). South Florida has found 
this the grandest of evergreen shade trees, 
to 100° across, suitable only for big yards 
or parks. Highly wind resistant, it is too 
often crowded into narrow streets. 
WHITE SIRIS (Albizzia procera). This 
large, fast growing Indian shade tree is 
well adapted to Florida and virtually ever- 
green. The wood of the long clean trunks 
54 
is straight-grained, hard and durable so 
the trees should be highly storm-resistant. 
A great profusion of tiny white ball flow- 
ers come through the summer on the 
branch tips. 
HONDURAS SIRIS_ (Albizzia long:- 
pedata). Here is another splendid tree for 
quick shade. It is a newly introduced 
species from Central America, with heavy 
broad leaves, virtually evergreen here, 
and perhaps the fastest growing member 
of the genus. The clustered flowers at the 
ends of the branches are bright pink and 
should put on a fine show. Recommended 
where heavy shade is desired. 
RICHARD’S SIRIS (Albizzia richardi- 
ana). “One of the most beautiful trees to 
be found in Calcutta”, says Benthall, 
owing to the graceful way in which the 
light foliage is borne. Grass and other 
plants grow well beneath its scanty shade, 
and it is undoubtedly one of the best of 
garden trees.” This lofty, quick-growing, 
practically evergreen has inconspicuous 
flowers. 
AUSTRALIAN SIRIS (A. lophantha). 
This fast-growing evergreen shrub or small 
tree with very small leaflets, is remark- 
able for its thick 3-inch spikes of small 
yellow flowers of unpleasant odor. Lord 
says the tree is “decidedly beautiful and 
on account of its fast growth under ad- 
verse conditions it seems to merit a place 
in cultivation” (but not close to a dwell- 
ing). 
TEXAS EBONY. (Ebenopsis flexicau- 
lis). Exceedingly hard wood marks this 
thorny 50-foot tree from the Rio Grande. 
Its white bark contrasts sharply with the 
bright green tiny leaflets. The inconspic- 
uous yellow flowers are in spikes. This is 
related to Pithecellobium and not to the 
true ebony trees. 
MAHOGANY (Swietenia sp.). There 
are only four kinds of genuine mahogany 
trees and I can supply three of them. In 
South Florida they make beautiful small 
evergreen shade trees, splendid for park- 
ways, highly wind-resistant but won't take 
freezing weather. Flowers inconspicuous. 
S. mahagoni. West Indies mahogany. S. 
macrophylla. _ Honduras mahogany. S. 
humilis. Panama mahogany. 
