in diameter, last a few days, then turn brown, and are succeeded by an irregular fleshy cone sometimes containing bright vermilion seeds. There is a particularly fine specimen in the gardens of Government House.
5.
about
African Tulip Tree (Spathodea Nilotica)
4
A tropical West African forest tree growing to about 40 ft. with a sturdy, ridged trunk. There are some good examples in the grounds of the University and at Island House, Taipo, the District Commis- sioner's residence. Its large orange-scarlet, erect, cup-shaped flowers, inches in diameter, are produced in early February and again in May, when the tree is strikingly handsome and conspicuous at a distance. The shiny, dark-green leaves are 1 to 2 feet long and are divided feather-like into 9 to 17 oval, short-pointed, deep-veined leaflets. The flower buds contain water under pressure which escapes in a jet if the bud is pierced with a pin. The tree is softwooded, old specimens becoming hollow in the centre, and therefore dangerous near buildings and roads.
6. Pride of India (Melia azedarach)
It
This tree, commonly found from the Himalaya to China and Korea, has become naturalized in the southern states of the U.S.A. makes a good shade tree, growing quickly to a height of 30 to 40 ft. with a widespreading crown that is bare only for a short time each year. The foliage is graceful and feathery, each leaf having three to five subdivisions, each with three to five pairs of narrow-ovate, toothed leaflets. Small purple flowers are produced in great profusion in the spring, and have a scent similar to lilac. In winter the bare branches are decorated with clusters of golden fruit. The wood, durable but coarse, is used for furniture and musical instruments.
7. China Pine (Pinus Massoniana)
A large, upright, evergreen conifer commonly found on the hills and mountains of the Colony. It also occurs throughout the warm temperate regions of China, from Hong Kong to Fukien and into Western Szechuan. It is probably the most abundant, widely distributed and useful tree in South China, and is one of the best species for reforesting. When fully grown it may reach a height of 60 ft. with a straight, thick trunk, and smooth flaky bark. The leaves are needle-like, about 6 inches long and occur in pairs. In March conspicuous clusters of yellow pollen-bearing flowers are borne at the base of the new shoots. The green female flowers are borne separately. In early winter the trees bear woody cones, 2 to 3 inches long. The tree is mainly grown for fuel, being one of the principal sources of
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