159 
No. 108. 
Cryptocarya fcetida, R. T. Baker. 
The Stinking Cryptocarya. 
(Family LAURACE^E.) 
Botanical description. —Genus, Cryptocarya. (See Part III, p. 72.) 
Botanical description. —Species, C. fcetida, R. T. Baker, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. W., 
xxx, 517 (1905). 
A small tree from 30 to 50 feet High, and 9 inches in diameter, so far as at present known ; 
glabrous, except the inflorescence, which is minutely rusty or silvery. 
Leaves. —-Glabrous on both sides, ovate to oblong, acuminate or obtuse, mostly 4 to 5 inches, rarely 
6 inches long, from 1|- to 2| inches broad, rarely 3 inches, paler on the underside but not 
glaucous, not shining, although perhaps a little so on the under surface, rigid, thick, almost 
coriaceous, margins slightly recurved, reticulations well marked and coarsely so on the 
under surface. The leaves have irregularly scattered over the upper surface black spots or 
markings, probably caused by sudden changes of temperature, as they do not appear to be 
caused by any organism. 
Panicled cymes. —-Axillary or terminal, solitary, but occasionally in twos or threes; flowers 
numerous, hoary pubescent, smaller than those of C. patentinervis, F.v.M., but larger 
than those of C. glaucescens, R.Br. 
Perianth segments about 1 line long, the tube turbinate half the length of the tube. 
Glands. —Shortly stipitate, much shorter than the inner or outer stamens, and not attached to 
either the inner or outer series of these organs. 
Staminodia. —Three, about half the length of the stamens. 
Fruiting perianth. —Globular, 4 to 5 lines in diameter, mostly with a “ bloom.” 
In shape and reticulation of leaf C. fccticla approaches more nearly C. 
Mackinoniana, F.v.M., and in botanical sequence it should perhaps come between 
that species and C. obovata, R.Br. 
Botanical Name. — Cryptocarya, already explained (see Part II I, p. 73); 
fcetida, Latin, ill-smelling, in allusion to the flowers. See below. 
Vernacular Names, — I know of none, and so suggest the provisional name 
of “ Stinking Cryptocarya” for it. 
Flowers. —‘ One of its economics is worthy the attention of the apiarist, 
for Mr. Biiuerlen writes concerning the tree: “The flowers have a very offensive 
odour, but arc nevertheless very much visited by bees, wasps, and other insects.” ’—- 
(R. T. Baker). 
