THE LAUREL FAMILY 175 



Lauraceae. 



The Laurel Family. 



Distribution. — A large, chiefly tropical family, with only one European 

 species (Lawus ')wbilis), the Sweet Bay tree. Cinnamon, Cassia-bark, Camphor 

 and Clove Nutmegs, are all obtained from various species of this family. 



Key to the Genera. 



1. Leafless twining herb. Cassytha, p. 177. 

 Leafy trees. '2 



2. Small tree. Flowers in a 4-5 leaved involucre. Litsea, p. 175. 

 Lofty forest trees. Flowers in panicles. Beilschniiedia, p. 175. 



Genus Litsea. 



Shrubs or trees, leaves usually alternate. Flowers in axillary umbels, 

 dioecious. Perianth absent, or 4-8-parted. Stainens 6-15 in the male flowers ; 

 rudimentary in the female. Berry ovoid. 1 sp. 



Litsea calicaris. 



A leafy, shining tree, 30ft. -40ft. in height. Leaves 3in.-4in. long, 

 oblong, entire, obtuse, pale brown when young. Leaves of involucre ^ in. -J in. 

 long. Flowers 4 or 5 together, delicately fragrant. Perianth of 5-8 segments, 

 creara-coloured. Stamens usually 12 ; anthers large, 4-valved. Berry f in. long, 

 red. North Island. Bay of Islands to east coast. Fl. Sep. -Oct. Maori name 

 Mangeao. 



Germs Beilschniiedia. 



Lofty forest trees. Leaves alternate. Flowers in panicles, terminal or 

 axillary. Perianth of 6 segments. Stamens 12, some of which are usually 

 infertile. Berry ovoid. This genus is endemic in New Zealand. 2 sp. 



Beilschniiedia Tarairi {The Tarairi). 



A handsome tree, 60 ft. -80 ft. in height, with large, glossy leaves. Young 

 shoots and leaf-stalks clothed with rusty-coloured down.' Leaves 3 in. -6 in. long, 

 leathery, ovate-oblong, obtuse, sometimes whitish below. Flowers in branched 

 panicles, inconspicuous, 1 in. -2 in. across. Perianth ^ in. across. Fruit an oval 

 berry, IJ in. long, purple, plum-like, very attractive to birds, but, unless boiled, 

 said to be poisonous to man. North Island : Auckland district. Fl. Nov. 

 Maori name Tarairi. 



Beilschmledia Tawa {The Tawa). 



A forest tree, 60 ft. -70 ft. in height, with slender branches, and pale, usually 

 narrow, leaves, 3 in. -4 in. long. Flowers in slender panicles, 2 in. -3 in. across, 

 green. Perianth ^-^ in. long, smooth, shining. Fruit resembling a damson, 

 edible, | in. long. North Island : abundant in hilly districts. South Island : 

 near Cook Strait. 



