4. AcHRAS.] 84. 8AP0TACE.E. 



outer sub-valvate. Corolla sub-globoso with 6 (rarely 5) imbricate 

 almost contorted petals half as long as the tube or longer. Stamens 

 one oj^posite each petal inserted at its base alternating with petaloid 

 staminodes. Ovary 10-12-celled. Style with small lobed stigma. 

 Berry globose or ovoid, somewhat nmbonate, 4-12-seeded. Testa 

 hard, albumen fleshy, cotyledons large flat. 



1. A. sapota, L. Sapota, Sapodilla-plum. 



A large handsome tree with rough dark grey bark and dense crown. 

 Leaves oblong- lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, 8-5", obtuse or subacute, 

 shining both sides Avitli numerous veiy fine inconspicuous sec. n. 

 and petiole "o-To" long. FloAvers long-pedicelled. Fruit globose, 

 l'5-2" diam. usually with 5 large black shining seeds, pink flesh and 

 brownish epicarp. 



Cultivated, more esjiecially in Orissa. Fl. Ai^ril. Fr. Feb. -March. New leaves 

 with the flower-buds March-April. Evergreen. 



The fruit is very jjalatable. It is a native of South America, where the 

 astringent bark and bitter seed:* are used medicinalh'. 



FAM. 85. EBENACEiE. 



Trees or shrubs Avith alternate, rarely subopposite or opposite 

 exstipiilate entire leaves and regular, usually dioecious, usually brac- 

 teate and 3-7-merous floAvers axillary, solitary clustered or shortly 

 cymose Avith the pedicels articulate under the floAver. Calyx inferior 

 gamosepalous, often accrescent in fruit. Corolla gamopetalous, 

 regular, Avith petals overlapping to the right, very rarely valvate. 

 Stamens inserted at the base of the corolla, as manj^ or 2-3 times as 

 many as the petals, free or filaments more or less grouped, anthers 

 mostl}^ narroAv -lanceolate, with lateral dehiscence, i-arely Avith apical 

 pores ; in the female flower reduced to staminodes rarely 0. Ovary 

 sessile 2-16 celled Avith 1-2 anatropous pendulous ovules in each cell, 

 styles 2-8 free or connate at base Avith small or often flabellate 

 stigmas. Fruit baccate, coriaceous or Heshy, Avith as many cells and 

 seeds as in the ovary or feAver-1 b}^ abortion. Seeds compressed, 

 testa thin, albumen copious often ruminate. Embryo axile, straight 

 or more or less curved Avith flat cotyledons and superior radicle. 



Flowers mostly 3-merons. Ovary 3- or 6-ce11ed . . . .1. Maha. 

 Flowers mostly 4-5-meroas. Ovary 4-5- or S 10 celled . . .2. Diotpyros. 



1. MABA, Forst. 



Trees or shrubs Asith alternate entire leaves and dioecious axillary 

 3-merous floAvers, solitary short-pedicelled or in small dense cymes. 

 Calyx 3 (-5)-partite or -lobed often cupular and enlarged in fruit. 

 Corolla tubular lobes 3 (-5) twisted to the right. M. fl. stamens 

 3-22, filaments paired or otherwise connate, ovary rudimentary. Fem. 

 fl., staminodes 0-12, ovary 3-celled or ()-celled or 3-celled Avith imper- 

 fect septa betAveen the ovules, ovules altogether. Fruit 1-6-celled 

 and -seeded. Albumen uniform. 



514 



