CHAP. V. ANONA CE. ASI'MINA. 293 
Derivations. Astmina is Latinised from a word of Canadian origin, the meaning of which is not 
known. Orchidocarpum was, it is probable, intended to express’a likeness between the figure of 
_ the fruit, and that of some species of O’rchis. Porctlia is a name given by Ruiz, in honour of 
Antonio Porcel, a Spanish promoter of botany. Andna is a South American word, that signifies a 
mess, or dish of food, to be eaten with a spoon. Linnzus, in applying this word, says, “ annona 
fepelling it with two ns] and guanabanus are barbarous words ; that the sound, however, may be 
ept, I name it Annona, on account of the fruit which is so grateful to the natives.” (Hort. Cliff) 
This word, guanabanus, is a synonyme to Andna muricata, a stove plant. The German name, 
Flaschenbaum, flask tree, is given from the shape of the fruit. 
Gen. Char. Calyx 3-parted. Petals 6, spreading, ovate-oblong, inner ones 
smallest. Anthers numerous, nearly sessile. Ovaries many, but for the most 
part only 3, ovate or oblong. Carpels the same number as the ovaries, 
baccate, sessile. Seeds many, disposed in a single or double row. (Don’s 
Mill., i. p. 91.)— Low trees or shrubs, deciduous, with white or pur- 
plish flowers, and fruit about the size of small plums, Rather tender, and 
difficult of culture. 
Description. The plants, in their native countries, are shrubs or low trees, 
varying from 2 ft. to 30 ft. in height. In this country they are, for the most 
part, shrubs ; though there are specimens of A, triloba, near London, in the 
Hammersmith Nursery, and at Purser’s Cross, 10 ft. high. All the species 
require peat soil, and they are only propagated from imported seeds. 
Geography, History, Sc. The species are found in Virginia, Georgia, Caro- 
lina, and Florida; generally in shady places on the margins of woods, and 
almost always in sandy soil. They have been introduced at different periods, 
from 1736 to 1820. 
g 1. A. PARVIFLO‘RA Dun. The small-flowered Asimina. 
Identification, Dun. Mon. Anon. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 87.; Don’s Mill., 1. p, 91. 
Synonymes. Porcélia parvifldra Pers. ; Orchidocarpum parvifldrum Mz. 
ngravings. Dunal Monog., p. 82. t. 9. 
Spec. Char. Leaves cuneate-obovate, mucronate; under surface, as well as 
branches, covered with brown pubescence. Flowers sessile; outer petals 
scarcely twice as long as the calyx. (Don’s Mill.,i,p. 91.) This is a de- 
ciduous shrub, from 2 ft. to 4 ft. in height. The flowers have the outside of 
the calyx and corolla clothed with brownish tomentum ; and the inside of 
the petals is of a dark purple colour. The berries are aggregate, sessile, 
fleshy, of the size of a small plum. 
Geography, History, $c. Found in Virginia, Georgia, and Carolina, in shady 
woods near rivers and lakes ; flowering in April and May. It was introduced 
into England in 1806, but is little known either in botanic gardens or nurseries. 
In New York plants are 1 dollar each. 
gw 2. A. TRI‘LOBA Dun. The three-lobed-calyxed Asimina. 
Identification. Dun. Monog.; Dec. Prod., 1. 87.; Don’s Mill., 1. 91. 
Synonymes. Annona triloba L., and Mz. in Arb.; Porcélia triloba, Pers.; Orchidocdrpum ariet}- 
num Mz, Bor. Am. ; the saan Amer,.; Asiminier de Virginie, and Annone a trois Lobes, Fr. ; 
dreylappiger (three-lobed) F aschenbaum, Ger. 
‘avings. Mill. Icon., 1. t. 35.; Du Ham., 2. t.25.; Mx. Arb., 3. t. 9.; E. of Pl., 7927.; and our 
. 39. 
Spec. Char., §c. Leaves oblong-cuneated, acuminated, and as well as the 
branches, smoothish. Flowers on short peduncles; outer petals roundish- 
ovate, four times longer than the calyx. (Don’s Mill.,i. p. 91.) A small 
tree, densely clothed with long leaves, lying over one another in such a man- 
ner as to give a peculiarly imbricated appearance to the entire plant. The 
flowers are campanulate and drooping, and appear before the leaves; the 
outer petals are purple, and vary in colour in different plants ; in some being 
very dark, and in others light, inclining to yellow. The berries are large, 
yellow, ovate, oblong, and eatable. They contain a yellow pulp, of a sweet 
luscious taste, in the middle of which lie, in two rows, 12 seeds, divided by 
as many thin membranes. All parts of the tree have a rank, if not a fetid, 
smell; and the fruit is relished by few persons except negroes. The fruit 
ripens in America in the beginning of August, and is about 3 in, lang and 
1} in. thick, oval, irregular, and swelling into inequalities, 
y 4 
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