Cairo In Bloom

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 6

Cairo In Bloom

The following notes, written about three months ago, have been received by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Given from their son Ken, who is on active service in Egypt.— The land of the Pyramids harbours much of interest for those who would investigate beyond these famous structures; nor is it necessary to seek very far. I paid a visit to the Cairo Zoological Gardens, and found them to be situated in most picturesque environment. Trees and shrubs from all tropical countries were present, many of them bearing names. Before the introduction of animals a few years ago, these were purely boantical gardens. While they now have a good collection of named specimens, their establishment 70 years ago was for the purpose of providing entertainment for European monarchs who visited the Pyramids. Gardens Ablaze At present Poinciana Regia, the Flamboyant, is ablaze, not only in the gardens, but also in the avenues and parks everywhere. Its crimson bloom is now turning to yellow, and there are still huge woody pods hanging from the previous season. New Zealand is represented by the kauri, a small specimen of which was sent from Kew six years ago. It is now 10ft. high, and is thriving. Probably as the result of strange environment, the tree is not characteristic, being less symmetrical, and the leaves differing slightly in shape and size. Agathis robusta, an Australian, is also present. It has much longer leaves than our kauri and its wood is used for decking in boat building. Among other genera prominent in New Zealand, Pittosporum is present in P. tobira, which much resembles our P. umbellatum. A vitex is also present. It rather resembles our puriri, V. lucens, except that the wood is not knotted, and the leaves are lighter in colour and not so crinkled. Although the species is not mentioned, the flowers small, white, and with purple lip, conform to the description of those of V. eienkowski, a native of the Sudan. Eugenia is there in abundance, among others being E. aquea, E. edulis, E. javanica, E. sp. with leaves Jins, in length, and E. montana, which rather resembles our E. maire. Relative of Kowhai Leguminosae are abundant, and sophora pendula is not far removed from the kowhai. Solanum, too, is much in evidence in S. macrantham. quite a large tree at present blooming profusely. Its flowers, which range from white to shades of purple, are three or four inches in diameter. S. wendlandii and S. rontonnetii are also there. Australian trees are well represented in melalenca, and callistemon, there being ■ everal species of each. Acacias are also plentiful. Of the large shade trees, the ficus is most prominent. There is a large number of species, all providing copious shade. Probably the most interesting of these is the Banyan, which like most other ficus, is a native of India. This species, a large tree in itself, produces aerial roots, which, when they reach the ground, give rise to vegetative reproduction, and so ad infinitum, until one tree may become a mass of trees covering a very wide area. Ficus sveamorus. from Tunis, was introduced by the ancient Egyptians. It bears edible fruit. The Palms The palms are interesting and well represented. Pritchardia forms rows of • tately columns reminding one of the Acropolis at Athens. Caryota mitis and C urens are rather different from most palms. Their leaves rather resemble those ff our King Fern on a large scale. Cycas revoluta also has a fern-like leaf, but it resembles rather the genus Blechnum. Brahea roezlii. with fan-like leaves, attracts attention because of its silver ffieen. Hyphaene thebaica, a branching palm, is of industrial importance in Egypt on account of its timber. Phoenix roebelenii is also a useful timber palm. Arenga saccharifera yields much sugar, which in its native habitat is extracted. Oreodoxa regia has a trunk like a marble pillar. It is smooth except for faint rings which disappear toward the base. Sabal palmetto from S. America is used medicinally. Phoenix canariensis is among the many other palms. Conifers are present in the form of Pinus, Juniperus, Araucaria, Cupressus, Podocarpus, Sequoia, there being many species of each. Roses are in abundance. There are hundreds of named varieties, mostly in flower at present. Bougainvilleas are present in several species. They provide the most colourful exterior decoration to many homes. Familiar Plants Apart from the groups mentioned above, there are several plants worthy of mention, many of which are familiar to us. Verbena vemosa and conium maculatum each have a 6ft. circle to themselves. In neither case, however, may these circles be regarded as halos, for both are apt to run riot in New Zealand. C. maculatum on account of its poisonous properties is the more treacherous. Feijoa sellowiana. Ginkgo biloba, Lagunaria patersonii, Nerium oleander, Kennedya ovata, and Tecoma capensis are all present and in good form. Robinia hispida, a pink-flowered tea plant, sounds familiar. I seem to have seen it in the gardens in Christchurch. Cedrela Toona, a large S. American tree, shades the pathway at the entrance to the gardens. It is used for making cigar boxes. Tabernaemontana coronaria has white flowers much resembling camellia, but about one third the size. At present it is making an attractive display. These are but a few of the comprehensive collection to be found in the gardens; which goes to show that given a drink, the desert soil is most accommodating.