THE MAPLE AND HORSE-CHESTNUT FAMILY 225 



Horse-Chestnuts are amongst the most handsome trees belonging to the order. 

 The North American Sugar IMaple, Acer snccharinum, contains a great quantity 

 of sugar in its sap. 



Key to the Genera. 



Leaves simple (in the N.Z, species). Dodonsea, p. 225. 



Leaves pinnate. Alectryon, p. 225. 



Genus Dodoncea. 



Small trees, sometimes viscid. Leaves alternate. Sepals 3-5, petals none, 

 stamens 5-8. A genus chiefly Australian. Flowers terminal or axillary. 

 (Named after Dodoens, a German botanist.) 



Dodonsea viscosa {The Viscid Dodoncea). 

 A small hard-wooded tree, with viscid shoots. Leaves linear-oblong, entire, 

 1-3 in. long. Flowers in small terminal panicles, green. 10-12 stamens are 

 found in the male flowers. Fruit dark-brown, flat, winged. Both islands : dry 

 woods. Fl. Oct. -Nov. Native name *Ake-ake, perhaps signifying for ever and 

 ever, in allusion to the durability of the wood. The wood was much used for 

 native clubs, and is now valued by settlers for making mauls, as it does not 

 spread. 1 sp. 



Genus Alectryon. 



A tree, with black bark, and hairy branches. Leaves pinnate, 4 in. -18 in. 

 in length ; leaflets 2 in. -4 in. Flowers in erect panicles. Calyx 4-5-lobed ; 

 petals none; stamens 5-8. Fruit a capsule, coriaceous. (Name from the Greek, 

 signifying a cock, in allusion to the scarlet, comb-like aril of the seed). 1 sp. 



Alectryon excel sum {The Loftij Alectryon). 



A handsome tree, sometimes 60 ft. high. Flowers, fruit, and branches 

 clothed with a rusty-coloured down. The whole of the flowering panicles 

 appear to be of a reddish brown, from the deep colour of the anthers. The seed 

 is black and shining, enclosed in a bright scarlet aril. An oil obtained from 

 these seeds is said to have been used in the making of native perfumes. This 

 tree is sometimes called The Netv Zealand Ash, and its timber is largely used. 

 Maori name, Titoki. PI. Nov. -Dec. 



One of the best known of the bush trees, often comprising 

 a large portion of the forest. It grows as far south as 

 Banks Peninsula, where, with several other North Island 

 forms, it reaches its southern-most habit. The prominent 

 jet-black seed, embedded in its scarlet envelope with flattened 

 crest and one side terminating in a spur, is one of the most 

 attractive objects for the ordinary visitor to the bush. 



*This name was applied by the Maoris to other hard-wooded trees. 



16 



