78 DICOTYLEDONS 



17. The Olive and Jasmine Family 



(Oleaceae). 



Trees and shrubs with opposite leaves. Flowers radial. 

 Stamens two. Ovary superior, of two carpels. 



Of this family various species of Jasmine {Jasmimim ; Kan. 

 Mallige) are grown in Indian gardens on account of the sweet 

 scent and the beauty of tlieir tiowers. They are all climbing 

 shrubs with opposite leaves and radial flowers. The stamens 

 and carpels are two each. 



The smell of some of the Jasmine flowers is particularly strong 

 in the evening. They also open their blossoms not in the morn- 

 ing, like many other flowers, but in the evening. This is, surely, 

 not without good reason. If we look at the long and narrow 

 tube, we may conclude that the honey at the bottom of the tube 

 can be obtained only by insects with long tongues, Such are 

 the moths that fly about at dusk. It is for this reason that the 

 Flowers are lohite, that they open in the evening and exhale such 

 a strong and siveet scent at that time, and that they bend over and 

 are not erect like the buds (compare Clerodendron). 



The Double Jasmine (Jasmimim samhac; Kan. Dundumallige) 

 is, like the Double Hose, a product of horticulture (see Rose, 

 page 45). One of the Avild species is Jasnmmm rigidum (Kan. 

 K ad u mallige). 



Tiie shrub Nyctanthes. arbor tristis {Kan. Parijataka; Mai. 

 Parijiltakam; Tani. Pavalanialligai; Tel. Krishti; San. Parijata) 

 is also an example of this family. The limb of the corolla is 

 white, but its tube is orange-coloured. The flowers open at night 

 and fall off very freely in the early morning. 



The Olive Tree {()lea europwa) is not found in India, but is 

 extensively grown in the countries round the Mediterranean Sea 

 for the sake of the excellent oil obtained from the pulj) of its fruit. 



An allied family is that of the Loganiacece to which the Strychnine 

 tree belongs {Stt-ycltnos mix vomica; Kan. Kasarka, Ilemmushti; 

 J/a/. Kaiiiiiram; Ta)n.^\\Q,\ «S'a/^. Karaskarah). The tree has shining, 

 opposite leaves and greenish flowers. The fruits are like small 



