STYRACEJS. OLEACE.fi. 195 



Properties. Astringent and Diuretic. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. 



31. STYRACE.E. 



Calyx superior or inferior, 4-5-cleft, seldom entire, 

 persistent. Corolla hypogynous, monopetalous and di- 

 vided, its divisions often differing in number from those 

 of the calyx ; valvate or imbricated in aestivation. Sta- 

 'mens in 2-4 series arising from the tube of the corolla, 

 and unequal in length ; anthers innate and introrse. 

 Ovarium superior or inferior, 3-5-celled, four ovules 

 mostly in each cell, two being erect, and two pendu- 

 lous. Fruit drupaceous, crowned with or covered by 

 the calyx, 3-5-celled, or 1 -celled by abortion. Seeds as- 

 cending or pendulous, according to which ovules may 

 be abortive, albuminous ; radicle long and towards 

 the hilum, the cotyledons flat and foliaceous. 



Trees or shrubs with simple exstipulate alternate 

 leaves, and very often stellate pubescence. 



Geographical Relations. North and South America, 

 Nepal and China ; but not met with in Africa and Aus- 

 tralia. 



Properties. More or less astringent and fragrant, 

 and affording Benzoic acid. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Styrax benzoin. 



32. OLEACE^E. 

 Calyx monosepalous, its limb 4-5-cleft, inferior. Co- 



