THE WOODBINE FAMILY. 



335 



landia grandijlara^ native of Jamaica, has also similar flowers. 

 Ixora coccinea, I. fragrans, and other species, are highly orna- 

 mental flowering shrubs, as also Luculia gratissima and L. 

 Pinceana, natives of India. 



The Woodbine Family. 



(Caprifoliace^.) 



Small trees or shrubs, often twining or trailing; rarely 

 herbs. Leaves opposite (without stipules) entire, lobed or 

 winged. Flowers in umbel-like tufts or corymbs, or spike- 

 like panicles, some furnished with leafy bracts, rarely solitary, 

 in the axis of the leaves. Corolla tubular, showy or incon- 

 spicuous, regular or irregular. Stamens 5. Fruit a dry, 1 

 or 2-celled capsule or a fleshy berry crowned with the per- 

 sistent calyx. 



About 230 species constitute this family. They are chiefly 

 natives of the northern temperate hemisphere ; few are found 

 within the tropics. In New Zealand they are represented by 

 several species of the fragrant genus Alseuosmia. Many of 

 the species possess medicinal qualities, chiefly of a drastic and 

 purgative nature. 



Elder (Sambucus nigra). A well-known tree, native of 

 this country, attaining the height of from 20 to 80 feet. Its 

 wood is white and hard, and is used for making skewers and 

 shoemakers pegs, also for turnery. Elder wine is made 

 from its berries, which are also said to be used for colouring 

 wine. The well-known eye-lotion " Elder flower-water," is 

 made from the flowers. In Scotland it is called the " Boutry 

 Tree," and is considered poisonous, where as well as in 

 England a great deal of superstition is attached to it. 



Woodbine, or Honeysuckle {Lonicera Periclymenum). A 

 twining shrub, found wild in this country. It is a favourite 

 for forming arbours, also for the sweet scent of its flowers. 

 There are several species cultivated, which have been in- 

 troduced from China and Japan, and are ornamental 

 twiners. 



