1. Gnetum.] 3. GNETACE^. 



perianth thick flask-shaped, integument of ovule double, inner with 

 a long neck projecting beyond the outer and with a fimbriate mouth 

 or 3 filiform teeth, outer with 3 minute obtuse teeth or entire. Ovule 

 1 erect. Fruit drupe -like, the seed enclosed in the fleshy accrescent 

 perianth. 



Xot easily recognized as a Gymnosperm. The ovule simulates a l-ovuled ovary, 

 with style and stigma represented by the loose integument with its long narrow 

 neck and fimbriate mouth. The perianth and the inteyuments are easily separable 

 •from the nucellus. 



1. G. scandens, Roxb. Milgandi, K. ; Galio, Or. ; Mirig-lendi 

 (Bonai). 

 An immense dichotomously branched, woody climber with elliptic 

 oblong or ovate entire glabrous leaves 3-8" by 2-4" shortly acuminate 

 base rounded or very obtuse, sec. n. 6-10 each side of stout midrib 

 and with many intermediate nerves. Petiole -3- -75" long. Fls. 

 monoecious (dicBcious, F.B.I.) in rings among dense cellular hairs, 

 females usually above two rows of males, in the axils of the peculiar 

 annular bracts of the spikes and wholly enclosed by these when 

 young. Spikes 1-3" long, peduncled, in 3-chotomous panicles. Fern, 

 ovoid. Seed (-25" only in my specimens ovoid but unripe and) said 

 to attain 1-1-5" and to become orange-coloured and stipitate while 

 the fruiting spikes are said to attain sometimes 10" in length. 



In the more evergreen forests. Mountain valleys in Singbhum ! Bonai, Cooper I 

 Mayurbhanj, .3000 ft. ! Puri, in the Mais ! Fl. April-May. 

 The fruit is eaten according to the Kols, but I have not seen it. 



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