LAURACEAE 145 



elongated ovary with 2 stigmatic lobes at the apex, on the axil of a bract; 

 ovary 1 celled, 2 ovuled. Fruit an ovate-oblong samara; the wing 

 coriaceous, surrounding the nutlet, notched at the apex, tapering at the 

 base. Nutlet compressed, 1 seeded. 



West China. 



So far unreported in a wild state, Known only in cultivation. A 

 monotypic genus variously assigned to Trochodendraceae, Magnoliaceae and 

 Hamamelidaceae according to different authorities, but now segregated as 

 a distinct family closely allied to Hamamelidaceae. Eucommia is remark- 

 able on account of the presence of numerous elastic threads which yield, 

 a good grade of rubber, in all parts of the plant except the wood. The 

 presence of rubber may be detected by breaking a piece of the inner 

 bark, a leaf or a fruit in two, and pulling the portions apart, the elastic 

 fibres appear as fine threads of a silky sheen. Unfortunately the rubber 

 content is low, in the bark only 3% of its dry weight, and the extraction 

 difficult, so that commercial exploitation of this tree is impracticable. 

 The bark, however, is extensively employed as medicine, valued for its 

 fancied or real tonic properties. The bark is stripped from the tree, 

 ultimately causing its death. Propagated by cuttings or by seeds. 

 Germination is uncertain. 



Eucommia ulmoides Oliver. 

 (Tuchung Shu.) 



Trees up to 18 m. tall, more often smaller. Leaves 8-18 cm. long, 

 ovate-elliptic, serrate, acuminate, cuneate at base, dark shining green 

 above, pubescent when young below. Petiole 12-20 mm. long. Fruit 

 3-4 cm. long, 6-12 mm. wide, oblong, notched at the apex. 



Western Hupeh, Szechuan. 



LAURACEAE 



Aromatic or sometimes foetid trees, shrubs, rarely under-shrubs, or 

 very rarely leafless parasites (Cassythia). Leaves alternate, without 

 stipules (exstipulate), sometimes whorled or crowded close together, 

 rarely opposite, simple, entire, rarely lobed (as in Sassafras), palmately 

 veined or penninerved, punctate with glands containing a volatile oil 

 and often pellucid. 



