Candea (Lamp) is a crooked shrub, with a large stock, the leaf is generally white on the under side; the wood, when dried, affords a good light without smoke, and saving much oil to the poor of the certams, who put a fire-brand of it into the wall, where it lasts for a long time, giving a flame like a flambeau; hence comes its denomination. When put into the ground it keeps many years.
Caneleira, Canela or Cinnamon Tree, was transplanted from Asia, and was cultivated with some care at the commencement of the colonization, but was afterwards destroyed, by royal order, that it might not interfere with the oriental trade; this error was soon discovered. At present the increase of those which spring from roots is preferred; the quality of the soil in which it should be planted depends upon the vegetable. The best Asiatic cinnamon-trees grow in dry soils.
Colla is a tree introduced from Africa, of medium size, with leaves rather long, pointed, and shining on both sides; the flower is white and in bunches. It fructifies in a pod.
Cutezeira, or Cuteza-Tree, is small, with horizontal branches, and the leaves rather long, smooth, wide, rounded at the point, and pointed at the base; it affords a large oval fruit with a hard shell, of which, when parted, is made cuyas, or cups.
Gamelleira, or Gamella-Tree, is of considerable girth, having a round and thick leaf; it extends roots from the branches to the ground; its shade is sought after.
Geremma is a small thorny tree with very small leaves, which daily close from the influence of the sun; the flower resembles that of the chestnut; of its wood charcoal is made for forges.
Goyabeira, or Goyaba-Tree, is a shrub with a smooth rind, the leaf almost round, the fruit, like a pear, is yellow and odoriferous, the pulp is rubicund, with a great quantity of small and round seed in the centre. A preserve much esteemed is made of it.
Guabirabeira, or Guabiraba-Tree, is one of the largest fruit-trees in the country; its leaf is a little less than that of the peach, and almost of the same shape; the flower is white; the fruit has the size and form of a pear, and is eaten in the same way as sorvas or service-berries.
Herva de Cobra (Serpent-Herb) is a small plant resembling a little the fern in its foliage, the flower is small and yellow, with five petals, and its fruit is a very little berry. The name arises from its virtue in curing the bite of a snake by placing the leaves pounded upon the wound and giving the patient the juice to drink.
The Jabuticabeira, or Jabuticaba-Tree, is small and slender, with smooth bark; the leaves, which are varnished on both sides, but not of the same green, vary in form upon the same branch. It flowers upon the trunk only, beginning at the ground, and extending to the branches, that are thick; the fruit is generally of the size and colour of a cherry, and of a good flavour; a strong liquor is distilled from it.