POLYGONACE^E. 



Nat. syst. ed. 2. p. 211. 



COCCOLOBA. 



Calyx 5-parted, permanent, eventually becoming succulent. 

 Filaments 5, inserted into the base of the calyx, and forming a 

 short ring by their union. Style 3 ; stigmas simple. Nut 1- 

 seeded, bony, covered with the succulent enlarged calyx. Em- 

 bryo in the middle of the albumen. 



731. C. uvifera Linn. sp. pi. 523. Jacq, amer. 112. t. 73. 

 Sot. mag. t. 3130. (Sloane ii. 129. t. 220. f. 3.) Sea coast 

 of the West India Islands and the adjoining coast of America. 

 (Sea side grape.) 



A tree 20 feet or more in height, much branched, the branches flexu- 

 ose. Leaves very beautiful, ample, orbicular-cordate, coriaceous, entire, 

 obtuse, waved, of a full bright and glossy green, with the principal 

 nerves red, especially at the base. Petioles short, with combined 

 sheathing stipules at their base. Racemes terminal, long, erect in 

 flower, afterwards cernuous ; pedicels short, in many closely placed 

 fascicles, with little scales or bracts at their base. Flowers fragrant. 

 Calyx small, white, in 5 deep spreading segments, uniting into a fleshy 

 attenuated base, which is jointed upon the pedicel. Stamens 5, com- 

 bined at the base into an annulus which surrounds the germen. Ovary 

 superior, ovate. Styles 3. Stigmas obtuse. As the fruit advances to 

 maturity, it becomes enveloped by the enlarged and fleshy perianth, 

 which thus forms an obovate, reddish, purple berry, resembling a small 

 pear, with a scar at the top where the segments of the perianth had 

 been attached : within is 1 cell, divided at the base into 3 imperfect 

 cells, whose dissepiments enter into the base of the nut. Nut roundish, 

 very acute, longitudinally wrinkled, 3-lobed at the base below, and 

 attached by the centre. Albumen copious, marked with numerous 

 clefts and fissures at the margin. In the middle of this, or nearly so, 

 is the foliaceous embryo, with its radicle pointing upwards. Hooker. 

 The leaves, wood and bark are excessively astringent ; the decoction, pre- 

 pared by evaporation, forms Jamaica kino. The fruit is eatable, and 

 commonly sold in the West India markets, but is not much esteemed. 

 The wood yields a red dye. 



RHEUM. 



Calyx petaloid, 6-parted, withering. Stamens about 9, in- 

 serted into the base of the calyx. Styles 3, reflexed. Stigmas 

 peltate, entire. Achenium 3-cornered, winged, with the with 

 ered calyx at the base. Embryo in the centre of the albumen. 

 353 A A 



