258 



FLORA OF JAMAICA 



Pruntu 



25 or more, exserted. Fruit " size of the coromon plum of Europe, 

 purple; nut smooth" (Macfadyen). 



" The bark of the tree has an astringent taste, with a strong flavour of 

 prussic acid, and is used in manufacturing an inferior description of Prune 

 Dram. It is from the kernels of the drupe that the celebrated liqueur, 

 the Noyau of Martinique, is prepared. They yield a flavour much superior 

 to that of the peach, being rich, oily, and nutty, combined with that of 

 prussic acid. The timber of the tree is of a red colour resembling cedar, 

 and is very hard and durable, and from iis taking a fine polish, makes a 

 beautiful flooring for houses ; but it is not adapted for outdoor work or 

 where it is exposed to the weather, for in such situations it very soon rots " 

 (Macfadyen). 



2. P. myrtifolia Urh. Symh. Ant. v. 93 (1904) ; leaves 

 •5-1 dm. 1. ; receptacle about 1 "5 mm. 1. ; sepals about 1 ram. 1. ; 

 petals about 2 • 5 mm. 1. ; stamens about 2 mm. 1. ; fruit sub- 

 globose, about 1*2 cm. 1. — Urb. Symh. Ant. iv. 260. P. sphsero- 



Fig. 110.— Pruntu myrtifolia Uib. 



A, Portion of plant X ?. D, Fruit X J. 



B, Diagram of flower. E, Fruit cut lengthwise; «n, endocarp ; 



C, Flower cut on one side X 4. c, cotyledon ; r, radicle X §. 



carpa Sw. Prodr. 80 (1788) & Fl. Ind. Occ. 927 ; Griseh. he. cit. ; 

 Hook. f. in Fl. Braa. xiv. pt. 2, 56, t. 19 ; Sarg. Silv. iv. 51, 

 t. 161. P. pleuradenia Griseh. loc. cit. (1860). Celastrus 

 myrtifolius L. Sp. PI. 196 (1723) & Hort. Cliff. 72. Cerasus 

 sphaerocarpa Loisel. loc. cit. (1800-19); Giiilding & Hook, in Bot. 

 Mag. t. 3141 ; Macf. Jam. ii. 5. C. reflexa Gardn. in Hook. 



