84. SAPOTACEM. [4-. Achras. 



double ligules on their backs or (according to another view) 18-24, 

 2-seriate. Stamens 6-16 inserted Avith the petals, usually 6 or 8 and 

 as many, often toothed or lobed, staminodes ; connective excur- 

 rent. Ovary hirsute 6-8-celled. Fruit a globose or ovoid berry. 

 Seeds 1-6, compressed, ellipsoid with fleshy albumen and flat 

 cotyledons. 



In M. hexajidra the petal is smaller than its 2-fid ligule and appears like a 

 ventral lio-ule on a 2-fid petal, but in 2£.frayrans and others the dorsal series are 

 very slender or fimbriate. In M. Elengi the grouping into threes is less appai'ent, 

 and Clarke, Prain and other.s describe the lobes of the corolla in the genus as 

 18-24, 2-'d-seriate. The dorsal lobes or appendages always seem to be, however, in 

 one series. 



L. elliptic, acuminate. Flowers 8-merous (few also sometimes 



6-merous) 1. Eleugi. 



L. obovate, rounded. Flowers 6-merous 2. hexandi-a. 



1. M. Elengi, L. Bakul, Beng.; Baula, Or. ; Molsuri, H. 



A large or often a small tree with shining glabrous elliptic usually 

 acuminate leaves 2'5-4" long and fascicled white j^retty star-like 

 flowers about 1" diam. on pubescent pedicels about as long as the 

 petioles. Sepals usually 4 + 4, but rarely 3 + 3 on the same tree. 

 Corolla lobes 24 (8 petals with their 2-fid ligules) all lanceolate and 

 sub-similar. Stamens 8 and an inner series of petaloid rather mem- 

 branous, villous, usually toothed, staminodes. Fruit rather variable, 

 usually nari'owly ovoid l" long, orange-coloiu'ed, 1-seeded. 



Very frequently planted in gardens and near temples in all districts ! Fl. 

 A])ril-May. Fr. r.s. Evergreen. 



The flowers are fragrant and are held sacred. They yield a volatile oil used as 

 a stimulant medicine and perfume. A fixed oil is obtained from the seeds. The 

 unripe fruit is very astringent and recommended for loose teeth. Other medicinal 

 uses are given by Nadkami and Duff. 



2. M. hexandra, Boxh. Khirni, H. • Khirokuli, Or. 



A small tree (in our area, but sometimes very large) Avith glabrous 

 oblanceolate-oblong, ellijotic or elliptic-obovate leaves rounded and 

 always some emarginate at the tip, usually 3-4" long with obscure sec. 

 nerves. Petiole S-o". Flowers -25" small, white, on •25--3" long- 

 pedicels in fascicles of 2-6 and from the axils of fallen leaves. Sepals 

 3 + 3. Petals 6 narrower than their 2-fid ligules. Berry oblong 

 ellipsoid '5" long. 



Purneah, perhaps only feral ! Orissa, wild ! Often cultivated. Fl. Nov.-Jan. 

 Fr. April- June. Evergreen. 



Bark rough grey, blaze crimson, exuding (like the last) drops of latex. Leaves 

 clustered towards the ends of the branches. 



Whether the large tree is different from the small one or shrub I do not know, 

 but there are two distinct varieties in our area. 



Var. typica. Leaves 3-i". Outer sepals elliptic or oblong. Staminodes narrow, 

 often 2-fid. Anthers twice as long as filament. 



Var. orixensis. Leaves 3*5-6". Outer sepals broadly ovate, only "l?". Petals 

 appearing as mere ligules in the sinuses of the outer linear lobes (the true ligules). 

 Filaments slender twice as long as the short broad anther. Staminodes very short 

 sub-quadrate fimbriate. 



The fruit is eaten, biit it is very poor. 



i. ACHRAS, L. 



Tree with coriaceous shining leaves clustered at the ends of the 

 bi'anches. Flowers rather large, solitary axillary. Sepals 3 + 3, 



513 



