Bischofia Javanica

Bischofia Javanica, from Java, has fine large, trifoliate leaves and is quite ornamental. It is much hardier than would be supposed, coming from the heart of the tropics.

Bixa Orellana, Arnotto

Bixa Orellana, Arnotto, a tree from the West Indies, whose seeds are covered with a reddish paste, annatto, which is not only used to color butter and cheese but to decorate the faces and bodies of tropical Indians. It does well in lower Florida.

Bombax Ceiba

Bombax Ceiba, one of the silk cotton trees, rejoices in a variety of scientific names but that does not prevent it from being an interesting and attractive tree. It is a rapid grower, and in its native place, the American Tropics, it reaches enormous dimensions. It casts its digitate leaves in winter and in early spring bears great waxy red flowers. If it is planted in pine land it would be well to give it plenty of muck.

Brachychiton Acerifolium

Brachychiton Acerifolium bears waxy, bright crimson flowers but I have never succeeded in making it grow here and it probably prefers a clayey soil or one free from lime. It should be hardy over the lower half of the state.

Brownea

Brownea is a group of magnificent ornamental trees from the American Tropics. The elegant pinnate leaves droop and are highly colored when young; the flowers in long racemes are pink or red. B. ariza is doing finely in my grounds.

Butea Frondosa

Butea Frondosa is a native of India and is closely related to Erythrina. It should be grown in dry, good soil in a protected place. There is a fine young tree in my hammock.

Callitris Robusta

Callitris Robusta is a rapid growing conifer, somewhat resembling a red cedar. Personally I do not like most of the conifers for Florida because they seem out of place in a subtropical country, but this tree is hardy and vigorous and makes fine wind breaks.

Calodendron Capense

Calodendron Capense is a handsome tree from the Cape of Good Hope, having fine, large leaves and attractive flowers, in fact it is considered the finest tree in South Africa. It has been offered for sale here and should be somewhat hardy.

Calophyllum Inophyllum

Calophyllum Inophyllum is a native of the Oriental Tropics where it is much used for a shade tree. The generic name signifies beautiful leaf, and it is well applied; the flowers are said to be handsome. C. calaba has handsome leaves and is a native of the West Indies. Some years ago I planted a seed of this which was washed up on our shores and the tree is now twenty feet high, but the flowers are inconspicuous.

Cananga Odorata

Cananga Odorata yields the celebrated Ylang Ylang perfume of the East Indies. The tree is handsome and bears greenish yellow flowers. It is fruiting at the Royal Palm Hotel in Miami.

Canarium Commune

Canarium Commune is an Indian tree of great beauty, much used for street planting. The wide, thin, flat root-buttresses are used for tables, cart wheels, etc., and the nut has an edible kernel. I do not know that it has been tried in lower Florida but it should be.

Cassia Fistula

A tree with large pinnate leaves and long, pendent racemes of pale yellow, handsome flowers. Tropical America. Does well here.

Casuarina Equisetifolia

Casuarina Equisetifolia has been discussed in the chapter on road trees.

Catalpa Speciosa

Catalpa Speciosa has been offered for sale in Florida and I have seen what I suppose is this in Fort Myers, though it was not very vigorous. It ought to do well farther north in the state.

Cedrela Odorata

The wood has the color and smell of cedar but the tree is a very different thing. Cigar boxes are made from its wood and it is used in manufacturing furniture. It does well here in rich, moist land and succeeds moderately in pine land. C. toona is a nearly related species from India.

Cedrus Libani, Cedar Of Lebanon

C. atlantica and C. deodara are majestic conifers that might do well in fairly good soil in the hilly region of the northern part of the state where they could have good drainage. They are quite hardy.

Ceratonia Siliqua, Carob Tree Or St. John's Bread Of Southern Europe

Ceratonia Siliqua, Carob Tree Or St. John's Bread Of Southern Europe, has thick, shining, pinnate leaves and bears pods with edible pulp; will probably do well generally in Florida. It succeeds at Miami.

Cinnamomum

C. cassia is the Bastard Cinnamon and C. camphora is the Camphor tree. Both are fine trees, the latter being hardy throughout the state; the former is much more tender. C. zeylanicum (the true cinnamon) has entirely failed with me after repeated trials. There is a C. cassia in Fort Myers that must be forty-five feet high, a fine tree.

Clusia, Matapalo Or Scotch Attorney

A genus of trees from the American Tropics whose members are usually parasitic on other trees. C. rosea has handsome, very thick, obovate leaves and large rose colored flowers. It will grow in soil or on trees.

Couroupita Guianensis, Cannon Ball Tree

Couroupita Guianensis, Cannon Ball Tree, receiving its common name because its large fruit is shaped like a cannon ball. A fine specimen of this tree is in cultivation at Fort Myers and bears flowers and fruit.

Crescentia Cujete

Crescentia Cujete is the Calabash Tree of the West Indies. It is a straggling tree, bearing curious, purplish blossoms along the trunk which are followed by very large globular fruits, the hard shells of which are used for a variety of domestic purposes. It succeeds fairly well in lower Florida but is very tender.

Cryptomeria Japonica

Cryptomeria Japonica is a noble conifer which would be hardy throughout the state. Its branches are brittle and it should be grown in a sheltered place.