Tanghinia
(Tanghin is the native name of the plant in Madagascar). ORD. Apocynaceae. A monotypic genus. The species is a small, glabrous, stove, evergreen tree, included, by Bentham and Hooker, under Cerbera. Its fruit is known as the Ordeal Nut of Madagascar. For culture, see Cerbera. T. venenifera (poison-bearing). Ordeal-tree. fl. in large, terminal cymes, each supported by a couple of bracts; corolla salver-shaped, with rose-coloured lobes and a green, funnel-shaped tube, which is hairy within. May. fr. purplish, tinged with green, ellipsoid, 2in. to 3in. long, containing a hard stone. l. smooth, alternate, lanceolate, rather thick, about 6in. long, clustered towards the points of the branches and directed upwards. h. 20ft. Madagascar, 1826. (B. M. 2698, under name of Cerbera Tanghin.) The seeds of this plant furnish a powerful poison, and were formerly largely used as an ordeal by the kings of Madagascar. For a full and very interesting historical account, see Mr. Telfair's letter published in the "Botanical Magazine" at the figure quoted.