FRUITS. 
197 
Description. — Malabar Cardamom. — Capsule loculi- 
cidally dehiscent, broadly ellipsoidal, occasionally 
ovoid, more or less triangular in transverse section, 
10 to 17 mm. long, 6 to 8 mm. in diameter, pericarp 
about 0 5 mm. thick; externally light brown or faintly 
pink, apex slightly beaked, and with remnants of style, 
base rounded, with scar of stalk, longitudinally striate, 
tliree-grooved, three-valved, three-celled, dissepiments 
thin ; seeds fifteen to eighteen in number, anatropous, 
irregularly angular, inclosed in a thin membranous 
aril, about 3 mm. long, externally dark reddish brown, 
deeply wrinkled, embryo small, straight, endosperm 
and perisperm distinct; odor aromatic; taste aromatic, 
pungent. 
Mysore Cardamom. Ovoid, somewhat oblong, white 
or very light brown, 12 to 20 mm. long, 7 to 9 mm. in 
diameter, nearly smooth or faintly striate longitudi- 
nally ; seeds nine to twelve — less pungent than those of 
Malabar Cardamom. 
Constituents. — Volatile oil about 5 per cent.; fixed 
011 10 per cent.; starch about 3 per cent.; calcium 
oxalate ; ash 4 to 6 per cent. 
Allied Plants. — Ceylon Cardamom is obtained 
from wild plants of Elcttaria major. The capsules are 
20 to 30 mm. long and about 10 mm. in diameter, dis- 
tinctly triangular in transverse section, deeply striate 
longitudinally and slightly pubescent. The seeds are 
bitter and less aromatic. 
PKUNUM (Prune). 
The fruit of Primus domestica, and of the var. 
Juliana (Fam. Rosacese), a tree indigenous to Southern 
Europe, and largely cultivated in Southern France 
and Germany. The fruit is collected when ripe and 
partially dried by artificial means, or completely dried 
