DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 323 



A small tree bearing dusters of small lavender-colored, honey-scented flowers 

 with purple staminal tubes. Trunk short; leaves bipinnate, occasionally tripinnate, 

 leaflets 3 to 12 on the ultimate divisions, opposite or alternate, ovate or lanceolate, 

 serrate or entire, acuminate, base more or lees oblique; flowers usually 5-merous; 

 calyx deeply lobed, lobes lanceolate-oblong; 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, especially that of the root, is used as a remedy for intestinal 

 worms. It is also cathartic and emetic, and has been used as a remedy 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 wood 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 Japan it is used for cabinetwork, but that grown in the AVest Indies does 

 'not appear to be highly esteemed and is used only for fuel. Owing to its graceful 

 foliage and its pretty clusters of pale lavenaer 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 prepared 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 above 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 bark of Melia azedarach contains » substance which is stupefying to fishes. 

 This 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 bitter substance. 

 Notwithstanding the evidence furnished by various authors, Mr. Oudenampsen doubts 

 the eflBcacy of the bark of this plant as an anthelmintic, b 

 References: 



Melia azedarach L. Sp. PL 1: 384. 1753. 



Mbliaceae. Mahogany family. 



This family is represented in Guam by the introduced j\fcli.a azedarach, Sandoricum 

 indicvm, and the indigenous seaside tree Xylocarpm granatuin. 

 SCelindres (Guam; Philippines). 



The local name for the crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia iiidica. 

 Melon. See Cucumis melo, under Gardens. 

 Mendioka, Mendiuka (Guam). See Manihot manihot. 



Mentha arvensis. Chinese mint. 



Family Menthaceae. 

 Local names. — Yerba buena (Guam); Hierba buena (Spanish). 



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



« Oudenampsen, Bydrage tot de Kennis van Melia Azedarach L., 1892. 

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

 75, 1903. 



