LA UR US 
43 1 
large green stipules performing assimilatory functions, whilst the leaf 
is transformed into a tendril ; the latter has its petioles flattened into 
phyllodes and has no leaf blade at all (see Acacia). L. macrorrhizus 
Wimm. has tuberous roots which may be eaten like potatoes. L. 
sativus L. (Jarosse) and L. Cicera L. are cultivated in S. Eur. as 
fodder and are also eaten like chick-pea (Cicer). Z. odorcitus L. is 
the sweet-pea. The flr. is like that of Vicia; on the style is a tuft 
of hairs that brushes the pollen out of the apex of the keel, where it 
is shed by the anthers. 
Lauraceae. Dicotyledons (Archichl. Ranales). 40 gen. with 1000 sp. 
trop. and sub-trop. ; the chief centres of distribution are S.E. As. and 
Brazil. Trees and shrubs with leathery evergreen alt. exstip. leaves. 
The tissues contain numerous oil-cavities. Cassytha is an interesting 
parasite. Infl. racemose, cymose, or mixed. Fir. actinomorphic, 
apetalous, usually 3-merous, g or monoecious. The formula is 
usually P 2n , A 4n , G n . Perianth in two whorls, perigynous. Sta. peri- 
gynous or epigynous, in 3 or 4 whorls, some of which are commonly 
reduced to staminodes; anther usually 4-loc. opening by valves (cf* 
Berberidaceae). The anthers are usually introrse, but in many cases 
those of the third whorl are extrorse. The axis is more or less con- 
cave, and the ovary is free from it at the sides. Cpls. 1 (Payer, 
Baillon) or more probably 3 (Eichler), forming a i-loc. ovary, with 
1 pendulous anatropous ovule. Fruit a berry, often more or less 
enclosed by the cup-like receptacle, which also becomes fleshy in 
these cases. Embryo straight ; seed exalbuminous. The position of 
the L. in the system is doubtful ; they apparently form the connecting 
link between the Ranales (to the more typical families of which they 
are linked by Monimiaceae and Calycanthaceae) and the Thymelae- 
ales. They are placed in Daphnales by Benth.- Hooker, in Polycarpicae 
by Warming. Important economic plants are found in nearly all the 
genera mentioned below. [See Nat. PJi. and Mez in Bot. Jahresb. 
1889, p. 459, and Bot. Centr. 54, p. 275 (abstracts).] 
Classification and chief genera (after Pax) : 
I. PERSOIDEAE (anther 4-loc.) : Cinnamomum, Persea, Sas- 
safras, Litsea. 
II. LAUROIDEAE (anther 2-loc.): Cryptocarya, Lindera, 
Laurus, Cassytha. 
Laurelia Juss. Monimiaceae. 1 sp. N.Z., 1 sp. Chili. The former, 
Z. Novae-Zelandiae A. Cunn., supplies a useful timber. The fruits 
of the latter, Z. aromatica Juss., are used as a spice under the name of 
Peruvian nutmegs. 
Laurus (Tourn.) Linn. Lauraceae (11). 2 sp., Z. nobilis L. the true 
Laurel or Sweet Bay, Medit., and Z. canai'iensis Webb et Berth., 
Canaries and Madeira. The leaves of the Bay are aromatic and are 
used in condiments &c.; the berries are employed in veterinary 
medicine. Firs, unisexual by abortion. 
