i6 5 



Fam. IO. Olacaceae. Tribe Ximenieae. 



Spiny shrubs. Flowers regular, perfect. Calyx small, 

 4 — 5-toothed. Petals 4 — 5, valvate. Stamens 8 — 10. 

 Ovary free, divided into two stories by an internal 

 annular projection of the wall, the lower compart- 

 ment 4- eel led, with a central placenta and four 

 pendulous ovules. Fruit a 1 -seeded drupe. Seed with 

 copious endosperm and a small embryo placed near the 

 apex. 



The only S. A. genus. 



Ximenia* Plum. 



Two species, one endemic {X. cajfra), the other 

 one widely distributed in Tropical America and Africa 

 (X. americana, called wild plum, wilde pruim in the Trans- 

 vaal). Flor. Cap. n, 235. The seeds contain much oil, but 

 this is very pungent. 



See coloured illustration in Transvaal Agric. Journ. Vol. iv, No. 15, Plate 81. 



Note. The genera Apudytes E. Mey. and Cassinopsis Sond. included by 

 Harvey in this order will be found under Icacinaceae (Vol. 11). 



Fig. 82 a. Ximenia americana L. A. Twig with axillary inflorescences, sp. Spine. 

 B. Flower. C. Calyx and pistil. 8/1. D. Long, section through ovary. E. Fruit, 

 long, section. F. Seed with embryo. (From Engler and Prantl) 



* Named after Franz Ximenes, a Spanish naturalist who published a book on 

 medicinal plants (161 5). 



