A very tender tree from the West Indies, having opposite, elliptic leaves which are thick and glossy. It becomes a large tree and bears great, russet fruits which have a pleasant subacid flavor. It is a handsome, dark foliaged tree of which there are immense specimens in and near Miami.

Mangifera Indica, Mango

Mangifera Indica, Mango, is one of the finest ornamentals grown and needs no description.

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera Deliciosa, sometimes called Philodendron pertusum, Ceriman of the Lesser Antilles. A magnificent tropical climber with immense, rounded, deeply incised leaves and large white spathes, shaped like a boat, followed by long, cone-like, edible fruits. The plant climbs by means of strong adventive roots which attach themselves to trees or rocky faces. From time to time other roots are dropped from the climbing stem which fall to the ground and sustain the plant. Charles Kingsley states that such is the vital force of the blossoms that they actually give off heat which may be measured with a thermometer. The fruit is covered with hexagonal scales and the pulp is very fine, having a flavor of pineapples and bananas, as well as a characteristic one of its own. There is, however, a thorn with this rose, for the rachis of the fruit is armed with slender, very sharp spicules that easily break off and he who eats it must be very careful. The leaves are full of large natural holes, sometimes to the number of a hundred, and scientists have been puzzled to know what they were for. Dr. John Gifford of Cocoanut Grove, who is something of a wag, informed me some time ago that they were created by nature to save the insects the trouble of cutting them. I have measured leaves here that were three feet four inches wide and four feet long!

Musa, Plantain, Banana

These plants are among the most glorious ornaments of the tropics even if they are everywhere common. The plantain for some reason does not flourish in lower Florida, but the fruiting bananas do fairly well under favorable conditions. The Orinoco or Horse Banana does well, even on pine land if it is well fed, though it, like all of them, prefers rich, damp soil. It is cultivated all over the state for ornament and even up into Georgia and the Gulf states, where it occasionally goes through mild winters with little damage and fruits the following summer. Hart's Choice or Lady Finger, is a somewhat hardy form while the Cavendish or Dwarf is quite tender.

Phyllanthus Emblica, Myrobalan

One of the most exquisitely graceful trees I have ever seen. As I sit here writing the morning breeze is gently waving the wand-like branches of a beautiful specimen just across the lawn, and it rivals the most elegant of the bamboos. My tree has proven to be a rapid grower and has stood some frost without injury although it is a native of Tropical Asia. It bears round, green fruits the size of a marble which are used for preserving. P. distichus, Otaheite Gooseberry, is also a fine ornamental, having long, incurved pinnate leaves which are brownish when young. The white-ribbed, very acid fruit is used in lower Florida for marmalade and sauce.

Punica Granatum, Pomegranate

A large shrub or small tree bearing handsome scarlet flowers followed by good-sized, edible fruits. It is hardy almost as far north as Washington and does well throughout the state. It should be well fertilized.

Rhodomyrtus Tomentosus

Rhodomyrtus Tomentosus is a shrub that bears handsome purplish pink flowers and fine edible berries. MacLaren reports that it does well with him at Fernandina and it flourishes with me.

Tamarindus Indica, Tamarind

Tamarindus Indica, Tamarind, has been discussed in the list of ornamental exotic trees.