DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 323 



A small tri'e iR'arin.u; clusters of small lavemler-roloivd, hoiuy-sct'iited flowers 

 with purple stauiiual tubes. Trunk short; leaves bipiunate, occasionally tripinnate, 

 leaflet? o to 12 on the ultimate divisions, (ip))(isite or alternate, ovate or lanceolate, 

 serrate or entire, acuminate, base mon; or less oblique; flowers usually 5-merous; 

 calyx deeply lobed, lol)es lanceolate-ol)long; petals puberulent; anthers nearly 

 equaling the linear-lanceolate teeth of the purple staminal tube; ovary 5-celled; 

 fruit an indehiscent drupe with 5 or fewer cells and seeds. 



The inner bark, esjiecially that of the root, is used as a remedy for intestinal 

 worms. It is also cathartic and emetic, and lias been used as a remedv for cholera 

 morbus and other intestinal troubles. It must be used fresh. A decoction of the 

 bark is said to be narcotic and causes a dilation of the pupil of the eye, but its effects 

 soon pass away. The Avood is bitter and resists the attacks of white ants. There 

 are several varieties of it, one of which is of a reddish color and another white. In 

 China and .Ta])an it is used for cabinetwork, but that grown in the West Indies does 

 not appear to ])e highly esteemed and is used only for fuel. Owing to its graceful 

 foliage and its pretty clusters of pale lavender blossoms with their violet staminal 

 tubes the tree is a favorite in most tropical countries, and the flowers are much used 

 for making funeral wreaths. It is probably a native of the Himalayas, where it is 

 found growing wild at a height of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, but it has now found its way 

 all over the warmer regions of the globe. A variety grown in the southern United 

 States is known as the "umbrella tree" from the dome-like crown and drooping 

 branches. The berries are poisonous. A decoction i^repared from them is sprinkled 

 on plants to protect them from the attacks of insects. The seeds are strung into 

 necklaces and rosaries, and in some countries are supposed to act as a charm against 

 disease when worn or when hung al)ove the door of a house during epidemics. 



Though introduced into Guam more than a century ago the tree has not spread 

 itself spontaneously over the island as in the case of other introduced plants with 

 edible berries. 



Mr. Oudenampsen, who has made a careful study of the properties of this plant 

 has arrived at the following conclusions: " 



The l)ark of Meiid azedarach. contains a substance which is stujjefying to fishes. 

 Tliis substance is soluble in water, but loses its qualities when boiled. The bark con- 

 tains a resin which is saponified with difficulty; phytostearin or vegetable fat; azeda- 

 rachic acid; a tannin which yields a green precipitate with perchloride of iron; 

 saponin, from which the plant derives its narcotic properties, and a Ijitter substance. 

 Notwithstanding the evidence furnished l)y various authors, Mr. Oudenampsen doubts 

 the efficacy of the bark of this plant as an anthelmintic. '' 

 Referen'ces: 



Mdia azedarach L. Sp. PI. 1: 384. 1753. 



Meliaceae. » Mahogany famii.v. 



Tliis family is represented in Guam by the introduced Melia azedarach, Sandoricum 

 litilicum, and the indigenous seaside tree Xylocarpus granatum. 

 Melindres (Guam; Philippines). 



The local name for the t'rapc myrtle, Lagcrslraemia indica. 

 Melon. See Cuciimis rnclo, under Gardens. 

 Mendioka, Mendiuka (Guam). See Manihol iinniihol. 



Mentha arvensis. Chinese mint. 



Family Menthaceae. 



Local names. — Yerba buena ((iuam); Hierba buena (Spanish.)- 

 An herb with a pleasant scent and flavor very much like our common mint. Hairy 



« Oudenampsen, Bydrage totde Kennis van Melia Azedarach L., 1892. 

 '' See Wildeman, Melia Azedarach, Revue des Cultures Coloniales, vol. 13, p. 

 75, 1903. 



