LG 4 
THALAMlFLORiE. 
IX. Melicocca. 
Flowers frequently polygamous. Calyx 4-5 par- 
tite, persistent. Petals either O, or 4-5, inserted on 
a hypogynous disk. Stamens 8. Ovary 2-3 celled, . 
2-3 seeded; style 1, sub-3-lobed. Drupe or berry 
corticose, by abortion in general 1-celled, 1-2-seeded : 
seeds gelatinoso-baccate. 
Trees with leaves abruptly pinnated, and with flowers race- 
mose, white — Name , from /xsX/ honey , and xoxxos a berry. 
1. Melicocca bijuga. Genip Tree. 
Leaves bijugate, rachis subulate, racemes with its 
divisions simple spike-shaped, flowers 4-petalled, 
drupe oblongo-spherical. 
Jacq. Amer. 10S. t. 72. — Swartz, Ohs. 146. — M. carpoodea, 
Juss. Mem. Mus. III. 187. t. 4. 
HAB. Common. 
FL. April — June. 
A tree, 30-40 feet in height, with spreading branches. 
Leaves abruptly pinnated : leaflets 2-paired, subopposite, sub- 
sessile, of a somewhat ovate shape, acuminate at both ends, 
glabrous, nervose : petiole (or rachis) slightly compressed, 
subulate (especially when the tree is young). Racemes termi- 
nal, compound, of about 6 simple branches, bearing a number 
of pedicelled whitish fragrant flowers in a spike-like manner. 
Male and hermaphrodite flowers on distinct trees. $ FI. 
Calyx 4-partite nearly to the base ; divisions somewhat oblong, 
obtuse, concave. Petals 4, larger than and alternating with 
the divisions of the calyx, obovate, rounded at the apex, ciliated, 
inserted on the edge of a depressed 4-sided hypogynous disk. 
Stamens 8, longer than the petals, with subulate filaments in- 
serted on the depressed centre of the disk. § FI. Calyx and 
corolla as in the Barren flowers. Stamens shorter than the 
petals, inserted on the margin of the disk. Ovary compressed. 
Drupe size of a pigeon’s egg, green : rind subfragile ; pulp flesh- 
coloured, gelatinous, of a sweet subacid slightly astringent 
taste, adhering tenaciously to the seed : seeds 2, or by abor- 
tion 1. 
This, though a very common tree, is not indigenous to the 
Island. Browne informs us that the first of them was brought 
from Surinam, by one Guaf of the Jewish nation. In Jacquin’s 
time it was still rare in the Island. The Genip is a large and 
beautiful tree, affording an extensive and grateful shade. The 
leaves are annually shed, and the new ones are produced with 
