112 FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 
flowers are borne in such profusion on the leafless branches, that the 
swamp at a little distance has a distinctly yellowish cast. The sassa- 
fras blooms somewhat later, its green twigs and peculiarly shaped 
leaves rendering it conspicuous at any season of the year. On the Pa- 
cific coast the California nutmeg (Umbellularia Californica) is a hand- 
some evergreen-leaved tree with plum-like fruit. (See Fig. 94.) In the 
South several species of Persea occur, a genus represented in the trop- 
ics by the avocado or Alligator pear (P. gratissima). In Europe the 
bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) possesses historical interest from the fact 
that it furnishes the original 
“laurel” used to crown the 
heads of heroes of antiquity. 
Bay leaves are extensively used 
as a flavoring herb in soups, 
stews, etc. 
In Asia there are two laura- 
ceous trees of economic inter- 
est,the cinnamon(Cinnamomum 
Zeylanicam) and the camphor 
(C. Camphora). Recently some 
experiments in the cultivation 
of the camphor tree have been 
made under the auspices of the 
Department of Agriculture 
along the southern Atlantic 
seaboard, with a fair degree of 
success. In British Guiana 
Fig. 96. The yellow water.cress (Roripa palustris), QGCUYS the gréenheart (Nectan- 
scan aoe aaa pod. After Britton & Brown, Ill. dra Ro diaei), which yiel ds an 
ash-colored bark known as 
bebeeru; it is used medicinally as a tonic and febrifuge. Another spe- 
cies of Nectandra grows in south Florida, and is handsome on account 
of its panicles of creamy-white flowers. 
Mention should also be made of a peculiar genus (Cassytha), usu- 
ally classed with this family, although it should be more properly sep- 
arated as a distinct group. The species are leafless twining parasitic 
vines. 
- Family Hernandiaceae. Hernandia Family. Contains 4 genera 
and about 20 species, natives of tropical regions, and formerly included 
in the Lauraceae, which they resemble in structure. They possess no 
especial economic interest. 
