IG4 THALAMIFLOR.^. 



IX. Melicocca. 



Flowers frequently polygamous. Calyx 4-5 par- 

 tite, persistent. Petals either O, or 4-5, inserted on 

 a hypogynous disk. Stamens 8. Ovary 2-3 celled, 

 2-3 seeded; style 1, sub-3-lobed. Drupe or berry 

 corticose, by abortion in general 1-celled, 1-2-seeded : 

 seeds gelatinoso-baccate. 



Trees with leaves abruptly pinnated, and with flowers race- 

 mose, white — Name, from [M,iXi honey, and noyixog a berry. 



1. Melicocca bijuga. Genip Tree. 



Leaves bijugate, rachis subulate, racemes with its 

 divisions simple spike-shaped, flowers 4-petalIed, 

 drupe oblongo-spherical. 



Jacq. Amer. 108. t. 72 — Swartz, Obs. 146. — M. carpoodea, 

 Juss. Mem. Mus. III. 187. t. 4. 



HAB. Common. 



FL. April — June. 



A tree, 30-40 feet in height, with spreading branches. 

 Leaves abruptly pinnated : leaflets 2-paired, subopposite, sub- 

 sessile, of a somewhat ovate shape, acuminate at both ends, 

 glabrous, nervose : petiole (or rachis) slightly compressed, 

 subulate (especially when the tree is young). Racemes termi- 

 nal, compound, of about 6 simple branches, bearing a number 

 of pedicelled whitish fragrant flowers in a spike-like manner. 

 Male and hermaphrodite flowers on distinct trees. $ FL 

 Calyx 4-partite nearly to the base ; divisions somewhat oblong, 

 obtuse, concave. Petals 4, larger than and alternating with 

 the divisions of the calyx, obovate, rounded at the apex, ciliated, 

 inserted on the edge of a depressed 4<-sided hypogynous disk. 

 Stamens 8, longer than the petals, with subulate filaments in- 

 serted on the depressed centre of the disk. J -^^' Calyx and 

 corolla as in the Barren Jioivers. Stamens shorter than the 

 petals, inserted on the margin of the disk. Ovary compressed. 

 Drupe size of a pigeon's eg^, green : rind subfragile ; pulp flesh- 

 coloured, gelatinous, of a sweet subacid slightly astringent 

 taste, adhering tenaciously to the seed : seeds 2, or by abor- 

 tion 1. 



This, though a very common tree, is not indigenous to the 

 Island. Browne informs us that the first of them was brousrht 

 from Surinam, by one Guaf of the Jewish nation. In Jacquin's 

 time it was still rare in the Island. The Genip is a large and 

 beautiful tree, aff'ording an extensive and grateful shade. The 

 leaves are annually shed, and the new ones are produced with 



