436 ANONACER. 
Properties and Uses.—The plants of this order are insipid 
and mucilaginous. Some have edible fruits. 
Order6, ANONACE, the Custard-apple Order.—Character. 
—Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple, exstipulate. Calyx of 
three sepals, generally united at the base, persistent. Corolla of six 
petals, in two whorls, leathery; xstivation usually valvate, hypo- 
gynous, rarely united, or more rarely altogetherabsent. Stamens 
usually numerous, and inserted on a large hypogynous thalamus ; 
connective enlarged, 4-angled ; anthers adnate. Carpels usually 
numerous, distinct or united,or very rarely solitary, with one or 
more anatropous ovules. Frwit composed of a number of dry or 
succulent carpels, which are distinct, or united so as to form a 
fleshy mass ; or rarely simple. Seeds one or more, anatropous ; 
embryo minute ; albumen ruminated. 
Diagnosis. —Trees or shrubs. Leavesalternate. No stipules. 
Calyx of 3 sepals, persistent. Petals 6, in two rows, hypo- 
gynous, usually valvate. Anthers adnate, with an enlarged 4- 
cornered connective. Albumen ruminated. 
Distribution and Numbers.—The plants of this order are 
almost entirely confined to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, 
and America. Noneare found in Europe. Illustrative Genera :-— 
Xylopia, Linn. ; Anona, Linn. ; Monodora, Dunal. There are 
nearly 400 species in this order. j 
Properties and Uses.—Generally aromatic and fragrant in all 
their parts. Some have edible fruits, which are much esteemed. 
Anona squamosa and A. muricata yield the agreeable succulent fruits of 
the East and West Indies, called Custard-apples: the fruit of A. squamosa is 
called Sweet-sop: that of A. muricata, Sour-sop. They are now frequently 
imported into this country. Other species are also esteemed for their fruits, 
as Anona reticulata, which yields the netted Custard-apple, and A. Cherimolia, 
which produces the Cherimoyer of Peru. Another species, namely, A. 
palustris, is the source of West Indian Cork-wood, so called from its elasticity 
and lightness; the fruit is termed the Alligator Pear, but in consequence 
of the presence of a narcotic principle it is not eaten. This must not be con- 
founded with the true Avocado or Alligator Pear, which is in much repute 
in the West Indies, and is derived from Persea gratissima. (See Persea.) 
Celocline (Unona) polycarpa, DC.—The Berberine or Yellow-dve tree 
of Soudan.—The bark of this tree yields a beautiful yellow colour, which is 
much used as a dyeing material in certain parts of Africa. When reduced 
to a coarse powder, it is also a topical remedy of great repute in the treat- 
ment of indolent ulcers, and chronic leprous sores of the extremities. It 
contains berberine, to which its medicinal virtues are probably due. 
Cananga ( Unona) odorata.—The flowers yield a very fragrant oil, which 
is known under the names of Jlang-ilang, Alanguilan, Oleum Unone, and 
Oleum Anone. According to Guibourt, the oil known as Macassar Oil is 
Cocoa-nut oil digested with the flowers of Michelia Champaca (see Michelia, 
p- 435) and Cunanga odorata, coloured yellow by means of turmeric. 
Duguetia quitarensis.—According to Schomburgk, the strong elastic wood 
called Lance-wood, chiefly used by coachmakers, is furnished by this plant, 
which is a native of Guiana. 
Monodora Myristica, the Calabash Nutmeg, has somewhat similar aro- 
matic qualities to the true Nutmeg of commerce. These nutmegs are also 
commonly known as Jamaica or American nutmegs. 
