Symplocos.] StyvacecB. 105 



LXXXL— STYRACE^. 



Trees or shrubs, 1. alt, without stip., buds with external 

 scales ; fl. regular, bisexual, bracteate in axillary spikes or 

 racemes; cal.-tube adnate to ov., segm. small, 5, imbricate; 

 cor.-tube reduced to a mere ring (rarely elongated), lobes 

 (almost distinct pet.) 5, imbricate; stam. numerous in several 

 rows, adnate to base of cor., fil. unequal, anth. short; ov. 

 inferior, 3- (rarely 2-) celled, with 2 pendulous ovules in each 

 cell, style simple, stigma slightly 3-lobed ; fruit a drupe, stone 

 bony, 1-3-seeded; seed with abundant endosperm. 



The nearly distinct petals and numerous stamens give a very Rosa- 

 ceous or Myrtaceous look to the flowers of this Family. 



Of our nineteen species, all, except Symplocos spicata and S. obtiisa^ 

 are endemic, and all are confined to the moist region. To the low coun- 

 try seven are restricted, ten are found only in the montane zone, and two 

 extend into both. The species are difficult to distinguish, especially 

 those of the hill-country, and these require a more careful comparison with 

 those of the Nilgiris than they have yet received. 



SVBIPX.OCOS,^Z. 



For characters, see Order. — Sp. 160; 64 in Fl. B. Iiid. 



Cor. divided into almost distinct pet. 



Inflor. often compound i. S. SPICATA. 



Spikes or racemes always simple. 



I., equally dispersed on the year's growth. 

 L. glabrous on both sides. 

 L. coriaceous. 



Bracts small, glabrous. 



L. rounded at apex . . . . 2. S. obtusa. 

 L. acuminate, acute . . . . 3. S. l^ta. 

 Bracts large, strongly ciliate . . 4. S. bractealis. 



L. thin 5. S. versicolor. 



L. more or less hairy, hispid or tomentose 

 on veins beneath. 

 Cal.-tube hairy or silky. 



Hairs on l.-veins adpressed. 



Lat. veins inconspicuous above . 6. S. ACUTA. 

 Lat. veins impressed above . . 7. S. CUNEATA. 

 Hairs on l.-veins spreading. 



L. broad, shortly acuminate . . 8. S. HISPIDULA. 

 L. narrow, tapering, very acute . 9. S. JUCUNDA. 



* From avfiirXoici], union, alluding to the slight cohesion of the cor.- 

 lobes at the base; name given by Jacquin to an American species. 



