STANDLEY TKEES AND SHRUBS OF MEXICO. 1027 



Glabrous shrub or tree, leafless at anthesis, the leaves not known ; flowers 

 in axillary 5 to lO-flowered umbels, the pedicels 5 to 12 mm. long, slender ; 

 calyx 6 mm. long, 4-lobate ; petals about 7 mm. long, erose ; stamens 28 to 30 ; 

 ovary 3 or 4-celled. 



119. PUNIC ACEAE. Pomegranate Family. 

 The family consists of a single genus and species. 



1. PUNTCA L. Sp. PI. 472. 1753. 



The generic name is derived from the Latin name for the Carthaginians 

 (Punici), who are said to have introduced the pomegranate into Italy. 



1. Punica granatum L. Sp. PI. 472. 1753. 



Common in cultivation nearly throughout Mexico. Native of the Mediter- 

 ranean region, but cultivated everywhere in warm countries. 



Shrub or small tree, 6 meters high or less, sometimes with a short trunk, 

 the bark very thin, brownish gray, shallowly reticulate ; leaves opposite or 

 clustered, short-petiolate, elliptic, oblong, or oblanceolate, 2 to 6 cm. long, 

 obtuse, attenuate at base, entire, glabrous; flowers perfect, short-pedicellate, 

 solitary or clustered ; calyx leathery, 5 to 7-lobate, the lobes triangular ; petals 

 5 to 7, obovate to suborbicular, 1.5 to 2.5 cm. long, bright red ; stamens nu- 

 merous; fruit a leathery berry, globose, 5 to 10 cm. in diameter, several- 

 celled ; seeds numerous, surrounded by white or pink, acidulous pulp ; wood 

 hard, close-grained, light yellow, its specific gravity about 0.93. The plant is 

 known everj'where in Spanish-speaking countries as " granado," the fruit 

 as " granada " ; the following names also are reported : " Tzapyan," " tzapyon " 

 (Mixe, Belmar) ; " yaga-zehi " (Oaxaca, Zapotec, Relco) ; " yutnu-didzi " (Oax- 

 aca, Mixtec, Reko). 



The pomegranate is cultivated in the southern United States and is hardy 

 as far north as the city of Washington. It is one of the best of the tropical 

 fruits, being one of the few that are acidulous, most tropical fruits being 

 sweet or insipid. It is a favorite fruit in Mexico, where numerous varieties 

 are grown, such as the " granada de China," " granada agria," and others. 

 The principal variation is in the size of the fruit and the color of the pulp. 

 The pomegranates of Tehuacan, Puebla, are famous for their quality. Tlie 

 frxiit is eaten without special preparation, or is made into sherbets and bever- 

 ages. 



The hard wood is sometimes used by engravers as a substitute for box- 

 wood (Buxus sempervirens) . The bark and the rind of the fruit are astrin- 

 gent, and are employed for tanning and dyeing leather. The bark, with iron 

 sulphate, gives a black ink, and the flowers with alum a red ink. 



The bark of the stem and root is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, 

 its active power being due to an alkaloid, pelletierine. The bark contains 

 over 22 per cent of tannic acid. The bark is employed as a vermifuge and 

 teniafuge, being particularly efficient for the latter purpose. It is used locally 

 also for dysentery and intermittent fevers and as a gargle for sore throat. 



120. RHIZOPHORACEAE. Mangrove Family. 



1. RHIZOPHORA L. Sp. PI. 443. 1753. 

 The genus consists of about three species, widely distributed on tropical 

 coasts. 



1. Rhizophora mangle L. Sp. PI. 443. 1753. 



Common along both Mexican coasts from Tamaulipas and southern Baja 

 California southward. Widely distributed in tropical America. 



