1. Carpel 1. Style simple, lateral; stigma entire. Funicle basal. Fertile
stamen 1, rarely 5. Leaves simple, entire. Trees. [Tribe MANGIFEREAE.] 2
Carpels 2-5, sometimes 1-4 of them rudimentary. Style simple with a
lobed stigma, or more or less deeply divided, or several free styles.
Fertile stamens 3 or more. Leaves usually compound. 5
2. Stamen 1. Filament broad. Calyx 4-lobed. Petals 4. Disc one-sided.
Leaves lanceolate.—Species 2. West Africa. The fruits are edible.
(Under Mangifera L.) Fegimanra Pierre
Stamens 5-10, but usually 1 only fertile. Petals 5. 3
3. Fertile stamens 5. Calyx bursting irregularly.—Species 1. Madagascar.
The juice is used for preparing varnishes and medicaments. Gluta L.
Fertile stamen 1, usually accompanied by 4 or 9 sterile ones, which bear
small anthers. Calyx 5-partite. 4
4. Stamens and staminodes together 5. Disc cushion-shaped. Fruit egg-shaped,
with a fleshy pericarp and a slightly thickened stalk. Leaves
lanceolate.—Species 1 (M. indica L., mango-tree). Cultivated in the
tropics. Yields timber, gum, tanning and dyeing materials, edible
fruits from which a spirituous drink is prepared, starch from the seeds,
and medicaments. Mangifera Burm.
Stamens and staminodes together 10. Disc indistinct. Fruit kidney-shaped,
with a resinous pericarp and a much thickened, fleshy stalk.
Leaves obovate.—Species 1 (A. occidentale L., cashew-tree). Cultivated
in the tropics. Yields timber, gum, tanning and dyeing materials,
oil, vermin-poison, edible seeds and fruit-stalks from which vinegar and
brandy are prepared, and medicaments. Anacardium L.
5. (1.) Ovary with 1 fertile cell and sometimes 1-2 empty and usually
rudimentary ones, rarely (Protorhus) with 3 fertile cells; in this case
stamens 5 and leaves simple. [Tribe RHOIDEAE.] 6
Ovary with 3-5 fertile cells. Stamens 6-15 and leaves compound,
rarely stamens 5 and leaves simple, but then ovary-cells and styles 5.
[Tribe SPONDIEAE.] 20
6. Perianth simple, consisting of 1-2 segments in the male, of 2-5 in the
female flowers. Stamens 3-5. Style 3-cleft. Leaves compound.—Species
5, one of them only cultivated. North Africa and northern East
Africa. They yield timber, tanning and dyeing materials, resins (mastic
and turpentine) which are used industrially, in medicine, as fumigatories,
masticatories, or condiments, and for preparing spirituous drinks, also
edible oily fruits and seeds (pistachio-nuts) and various medicaments. Pistacia L.
Perianth consisting of a calyx and a corolla. 7
7. Style 1, undivided, rarely (Micronychia) shortly cleft at the top, or a
slightly lobed sessile stigma. 8
Styles 3, free or united at the base, sometimes recurved and adnate to the
ovary, or 3 free sessile stigmas. 13
8. Leaves simple, undivided. 9
Leaves compound, pinnate. 11
9. Stamens 6-10, twice as many as the petals. Ovary with 1 fertile and 1
sterile cell. Style absent. Trees with small flowers.—Species 2.
Madagascar and Seychelles. Campnosperma Thwait.
Stamens 4-5, as many as the petals. Ovary 1-celled. Style present. 10
10. Corolla of the male flowers equalling the calyx. Disc broad, fleshy. Filaments
thread-shaped. Ovary and fruit much compressed. Style
short, undivided, with a 3-lobed stigma. Shrubs. Leaves serrate.
Flowers small. Female inflorescence finally with broadened branches
and hardened bracts.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape Colony).
(Botryceras Willd.) Laurophyllus Thunb.
Corolla much exceeding the calyx. Disc cup-shaped. Filaments broad.
Ovary and fruit slightly compressed. Style long, shortly 3-cleft at the
top. Trees. Leaves entire. Flowers rather large.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Micronychia Oliv.
11. Receptacle deeply cupular; hence petals and stamens distinctly perigynous.
Calyx valvate, corolla imbricate in the bud. Stamens 5-10. Ovary
sessile. Style thin. Fruit dry, indehiscent.—Species 1. West
Africa. Thyrsodium Benth.
Receptacle flattish or convex; hence petals and stamens hypogynous or
nearly so. Style thick or wanting. 12
12. Petals imbricate in the bud; sepals imbricate. Stamens 4-5, as many
as the petals. Ovary and fruit with a compressed stalk. Stigma
sessile. Fruit sickle-shaped, dry, indehiscent.—Species 1. Madagascar. Faguetia March.
Petals valvate in the bud. Stamens 5-20, usually more than petals.
Ovary and fruit sessile, the latter drupaceous.—Species 20. Tropics.
Some species yield timber, gum, and edible fruits. Sorindeia Thouars
13. (7.) Ovule basal or suspended from a basal funicle. 14
Ovule suspended from the top or the flank of the cavity. 16
14. Ovule subbasal, ascending. Styles lateral, thread-shaped. Ovary compressed.
Stamens 5, alternating with 2-cleft scales. Petals of the male
flowers longer, of the female shorter than the sepals. Sepals lanceolate,
enlarged in the fruit. Flowers dioecious. Leaves pinnate; stalk winged.—Species
1. South Africa. Loxostylis Spreng. fil.
Ovule suspended from the basal funicle. Styles terminal. Flowers
polygamous. 15
15. Endocarp crusty or bony, finally separating from the mesocarp. Seedcoat
thin. Leaves alternate, usually compound.—Species 100. Some
of them yield timber, tanning and dyeing materials (sumac), condiments,
medicaments, and edible fruits; others are used as ornamental plants. Rhus L.
Endocarp leathery, not separating from the mesocarp. Seed-coat thick.
Leaves undivided, narrow, with numerous parallel side-nerves.—Species
18. Tropical and South Africa. Some yield timber. (Anaphrenium
E. Mey.) Heeria Meissn.
16. Leaves simple, undivided. Stamens 5. 17
Leaves compound, trifoliolate or pinnate. 18
17. Filaments broadened. Ovary 1-celled. Ovule attached laterally. Styles
sickle-shaped, united at the base, with capitate stigmas. Fruit transversely
oblong; endocarp very thin. Embryo with thick cotyledons.—Species
1. Madagascar. Used medicinally. Baronia Bak.
Filaments awl-shaped. Ovary usually 3-celled. Ovule attached at
the top of the cell. Stigmas sessile. Fruit oblong; endocarp woody.
Leaves opposite or nearly so, with numerous parallel side-nerves.—Species
10. Madagascar and South-east Africa. Some species are
poisonous or used medicinally. Protorhus Engl.
18. Leaflets 3, toothed. Stamens 5. Ovary compressed. Styles lateral,
thread shaped. Fruit winged; endocarp very thin, mesocarp resinous.
Shrubs.—Species 1. South Africa. Smodingium E. Mey.
Leaflets 5 or more. Styles more or less terminal. 19
19. Stamens 4-5. Fruit with a crusty endocarp, a fibrous mesocarp, and a
fleshy exocarp. Embryo with a short radicle.—Species 30. Central
Africa. Some have edible fruits. (Emiliomarcelia Hel. et Th. Dur.) Trichoscypha Hook. fil.
Stamens 10. Fruit with a hard endocarp, an oily mesocarp, and a parchment-like
exocarp. Embryo with a long radicle. Shrubs.—Species 2.
Cultivated in North Africa, the Cape Verde Islands, and the Mascarenes.
They yield timber, resin used industrially and medicinally, tanning
and dyeing materials, vinegar, syrup, and medicaments. Schinus L.
20. (5.) Stamens 5, as many as the petals. Disc consisting of 5 scales. Styles
5. Leaves simple, undivided.—Species 2. West Africa. Spondianthus Engl.
Stamens 6-15, twice as many as the petals or more. Leaves compound. 21
21. Petals valvate in bud. 22
Petals imbricate in bud. 23
22. Flowers dioecious, 4-merous. Petals lanceolate, with inflexed tips. Male
flowers with a sterile ovary and a simple style. Leaflets 3, serrate.—Species
1. Equatorial East Africa. Spondiopsis Engl.
Flowers polygamous, usually 5-merous. Petals oblong ovate or elliptical,
finally recurved. Styles in the female and hermaphrodite flowers 4-5,
free. Leaflets 5 or more, usually with a marginal nerve.—Species 4,
two of them growing wild in equatorial West Africa, the others cultivated
in the tropics. They yield timber, gum, tanning material, medicaments,
and edible fruits from which a spirituous drink is prepared.
(Including Antrocaryon Pierre). Spondias L.
23. Sepals free. Stone of the fruit with 3-4 lids at the top. 24
Sepals more or less united. 25
24. Flowers dioecious, 3-4-merous. Anthers subglobose, versatile. Seeds
oblong, terete.—Species 2. Central Africa. The fruits are edible.
(Under Spondias L.). Pseudospondias Engl.
Flowers polygamous, 4-5-merous. Anthers oblong, continuous with the
filament. Ovary-cells and styles usually 3. Seeds club-shaped, somewhat
ANACARDIACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 81.
J. Fleischmann del.
Lannea Schimperi (Hochst.) Engl.
A Flowering branch. B Male flower. C Male flower cut lengthwise. D Older female flower cut lengthwise. E Fruit.
CELASTRACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 82.
J. Fleischmann del.
Elaeodendron croceum (Thunb.) DC.
A Flowering branch. B Flower cut lengthwise. C Cross-section of ovary. D Fruit. E Seed cut lengthwise.
compressed.—Species 5. Tropical and South Africa. They
yield timber, gum, dyes, oil, medicaments, and edible fruits and seeds
from which a spirituous drink is prepared. Sclerocarya Hochst.
25. Flowers 3-merous, dioecious. Fruit 1-2-seeded. Leaflets numerous.—Species
2. West Africa. They yield timber and edible fruits (blood-plums). Haematostaphis Hook. fil.
Flowers 4-5-merous. 26
26. Flowers 4-merous. Fruit usually 1-seeded. 27
Flowers 5-merous. Fruit 2-5-seeded. Leaflets 5 or more. Sepals
united at the base only. 28
27. Sepals united high up. Petals oblong. Disc 4-partite. Style simple,
club-shaped. Flowers in panicled fascicles. Leaflets numerous, alternate.—Species
1. West Africa (Cameroons). Nothospondias Engl.
Sepals united at the base only. Petals obovate. Disc 8-crenate. Styles
3-4. Stone of the fruit with 1-2 fertile cells bearing a lid at the top
and with 2-3 sterile cells. Seeds 1 or 2; in the latter case leaflets 3.—Species
30. Tropical and South Africa. Several species yield timber,
bark used for making cloth, gum, edible fruits, and medicaments.
(Calesiam Adans., Odina Roxb., including Lanneoma Del.) (Plate 81.) Lannea Rich.
28. Male flowers with a narrow disc and 3 styles. Stone of the fruit with 2
fertile and 2 sterile cells.—Species 1. South Africa. Harpephyllum Bernh.
Male flowers with a broad disc and 5 styles. Ovary 5-celled. Stone of the
fruit with 3-5 fertile cells. Panicles spike-like.—Species 5. Madagascar
and Mascarenes. They yield timber, resin, and edible fruits.
(Under Spondias L.) Poupartia Comm.
SUBORDER CELASTRINEAE
FAMILY 128. AQUIFOLIACEAE
Shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, entire toothed or lobed. Flowers regular, dioecious. Calyx 4-7-cleft. Petals 4-7, united at the base, imbricate in bud. Stamens as many as the petals, hypogynous. Anthers 2-celled, opening inwards by longitudinal slits. Disc none. Ovary superior, 4-8-celled. Style short or absent; stigma lobed. Ovules solitary in each cell or two side by side, pendulous, inverted, covered by a cupular expansion of the funicle. Fruit a drupe with 4-8 one-seeded stones. Embryo minute, at the apex of the albumen (ILICINEAE.)
Genus 1, species 5. They yield timber, bird-lime, tea, and medicaments.
The holly (I. Aquifolium L.), with poisonous fruits, is also planted as a
garden- or hedge-plant. Ilex L.
FAMILY 129. CELASTRACEAE
Shrubs or trees. Leaves simple, stipulate. Flowers regular. Sepals 4-5, imbricate or open in bud. Petals 4-5, free, imbricate in bud. Disc present. Stamens as many as and alternating with the petals. Filaments free. Anthers opening by two longitudinal slits sometimes confluent at the top. Ovary superior, but sometimes sunk in the disc and adnate to it, 2-5-celled, rarely (Pleurostylia) 1-celled. Ovules 1-8 in each cell, inverted. Style 1 or 0. Seeds usually albuminous. Embryo axile, with leaf-like cotyledons.—Genera 15, species 160. (Plate 82.)
1. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds with an aril. [Subfamily CELASTROIDEAE.] 2
Fruit a drupe or a nut. Seeds without an aril. 7
2. Leaves opposite, at least those of the flowering and fruiting branches. Unarmed
shrubs. Ovules 2 in each ovary-cell. 3
Leaves alternate. 4
3. Petals spreading. Disc thick. Anthers opening by 1 slit. Ovary-cells
and stigmas 4-5. Seeds enveloped by a red aril. Leaves elliptical.—Species
1. North-west Africa (Algeria). Yields timber and medicaments
and serves as an ornamental plant; the fruits are poisonous. “Spindle-tree.” Evonymus L.
Petals erect. Disc thin. Anthers opening by 2 slits. Ovary-cells and
stigmas 3. Seeds with a white, wing-like aril. Leaves lanceolate.—Species
1 (C. edulis Forsk.). Central and South Africa. The wood
and the leaves are used, the latter for chewing and for preparing a tea
and medicaments. (Methyscophyllum Eckl. & Zeyh.) Catha Forsk.
4. Flowers in axillary racemes or umbels, or more frequently solitary or in
clusters and inserted upon the leaves, 5-merous. Ovary-cells and
stigmas 5, very rarely 3-4. Seeds with a laciniate aril. Unarmed
shrubs or trees.—Species 7. Madagascar. (Under Celastrus L.). Polycardia Juss.
Flowers in axillary fascicles or cymes. Ovary 2-3-celled, very rarely
4-5-celled. 5
5. Ovules 3-6 in each cell of the ovary. Disc thick, almost hemispherical,
ribbed, red. Seeds enveloped by the aril. Spiny shrubs.—Species 2.
South Africa. (Under Celastrus L.) Putterlickia Endl.
Ovules 2 in each cell of the ovary. Ovary 2-3-celled. Disc not hemispherical. 6
6. Fruit with usually wing-like appendages. Seeds with a gaping aril. Ovary
usually ribbed. Stigmas 2-3. Disc 5-lobed or 5-parted. Flowers
5-merous. Unarmed shrubs or trees. Leaves entire.—Species 9.
South Africa. Pterocelastrus Meissn.
Fruit without appendages. Ovary not ribbed. Disc faintly lobed, not
ribbed.—Species 80. Some of them yield timber, rubber, or medicaments.
(Including Scytophyllum Eckl. & Zeyh., under Celastrus L.) Gymnosporia Wight & Arn.
7. (1.) Fruit broadly winged, with a leathery rind. Flowers 4-merous.
Stamens inserted within the disc. Anthers opening outwards. Ovary
2-celled, with 1 erect ovule in each cell. Stigma 1, small. Shrubs.
Leaves opposite, entire. Inflorescences terminal and axillary.—Species
1. Madagascar. [Subfamily TRIPTERYGIOIDEAE.] Ptelidium Thouars
Fruit not winged. Stamens inserted on the edge or outer face of the disc.
Anthers usually opening inwards. [Subfamily CASSINIOIDEAE.] 8
8. Ovary 1-celled. Ovules 2-8, erect. Style lateral. Stigma peltate.
Flowers 5-merous. Fruit with a thin endocarp and a thin-fleshy
mesocarp. Seeds with copious albumen. Leaves opposite.—Species
5. East and South Africa and Malagasy Islands. (Including Cathastrum
Turcz.) Pleurostylia Wight & Arn.
Ovary 2-4-celled, with 1-2 ovules in each cell. Style terminal, rarely
lateral in the fruit. 9
9. Ovules pendulous. Flowers 5-merous. Fruit a drupe. Glabrous shrubs.
Upper leaves opposite, broad.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape Colony).
Yields timber. (Under Cassine L.) Maurocenia L.
Ovules erect. 10
10. Stigma entire. Anthers turned inwards. Petal-like staminodes usually
present. Flowers hermaphrodite. Leaves opposite, unequal, the lower
lanceolate, the upper oval. Trees.—Species 1. Isle of Réunion. Herya Cordem.
Stigma 2-4-lobed, very rarely entire, but then anthers turned outwards.
Petal-like staminodes none. 11
11. Flowers in short racemes, unisexual, 4-merous. Stamens inserted at the
margin of the thin disc; filaments strap-shaped. Fruit almost dry.
Glabrous shrubs. Leaves opposite.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape
Colony). (Under Elaeodendron Jacq.) Lauridia Eckl. & Zeyh.
Flowers solitary or in fascicles or cymes; usually hermaphrodite. 12
12. Leaves alternate. Flowers 5-merous. Fruit almost dry.—Species 20.
Tropical and South Africa. (Under Cassine L. or Elaeodendron Jacq.) Mystroxylon Eckl. & Zeyh.
Leaves opposite or the upper alternate. 13
13. Pericarp neither fleshy nor hardened. Seeds exalbuminous. Anthers
opening outwards. Glabrous shrubs. Leaves more or less distinctly
toothed.—Species 3. South Africa and Madagascar. (Under Schrebera
Thunb.) Hartogia Thunb.
Pericarp more or less fleshy or hardened. Seeds albuminous. Anthers
usually opening inwards. 14
14. Pericarp fleshy. Leaves opposite.—Species 10. South Africa. Cassine L.
Pericarp dry.—Species 17. Tropical and South Africa. Some species
yield timber, dyes, edible fruits, and medicaments. (Under Cassine L.)
(Plate 82.) Elaeodendron Jacq.
FAMILY 130. HIPPOCRATEACEAE
Shrubs or trees. Leaves simple. Flowers regular. Calyx 5-partite, imbricate in bud. Petals 5, free, inserted below the disc. Stamens 3-5, inserted upon or within the disc. Filaments free, strap-shaped. Ovary 3-celled, with 2-10 inverted ovules in each cell. Style 1 or 0. Fruit drupaceous or capsular or separating into several mericarps. Seeds exalbuminous.—Genera 3, species 110. Tropical and South Africa. (Under CELASTRINEAE.) (Plate 83.)
1. Stamens 5. Anthers opening inwards by a transverse slit. Disc indistinct.
Ovules 6-8 to each ovary-cell. Leaves opposite, serrate.—Species
4. West Africa. Campylostemon Welw.
Stamens 3. Anthers opening outwards. Disc distinct. 2
2. Fruit drupaceous. Petals imbricate in bud. Flowers usually in fascicles
or in fascicled cymes.—Species 60. Tropical and South Africa.
Several species yield rubber or edible fruits. (Plate 83.) Salacia L.
Fruit capsular or separating into several mericarps. Anthers roundish.
Leaves opposite. Flowers usually in simple cymes.—Species 50.
Tropics to Delagoa Bay. Some are used medicinally. (Including
Helictonema Pierre). Hippocratea L.
FAMILY 131. SALVADORACEAE.
Shrubs or trees. Leaves opposite, simple, entire, with minute stipules. Flowers solitary or in spikes, racemes or panicles, regular. Calyx 2-4-cleft. Petals 4, very rarely 5, free or united at the base, with imbricate or contorted aestivation. Stamens as many as and alternate with the petals; sometimes 4-5 staminodes also present. Ovary superior, 1-2-celled. Ovules 1-2 in each cell, erect, inverted. Style simple, short. Fruit a berry or a drupe. Seeds exalbuminous; embryo with the radicle turned downwards.—Genera 3, species 6.
1. Flowers dioecious. Petals 4, free, narrow. Filaments free from one
another and from the corolla. Glands between the stamens absent.
Ovary 2-celled. Shrubs with 2-6 spines in the axils of the leaves.—Species
2. Tropical and South Africa. Used medicinally. (Monetia
L’Hér.) Azima Lam.
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous. Filaments united together or
to the corolla. Glands between the stamens nearly always present.
Ovary 1-celled. Unarmed shrubs or trees. 2
2. Petals free, narrow. Filaments united at the base. Anthers oblong.—Species
3. East Africa. Yielding timber. (Including Platymitium
Warb.) Dobera Juss.
Petals united at the base, broad, 4. Filaments free. Anthers ovoid or
globose.—Species 1 (S. persica Garcin). North-east and Central
Africa to Delagoa Bay. Yields edible fruits and medicaments; the
twigs are used as tooth-brushes. Salvadora Garcin
HIPPOCRATEACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 83.
J. Fleischmann del.
Salacia Dusenii Loesen.
A Flowering branch. B Flower from above. C Flower cut lengthwise. D Cross-section of ovary.
ICACINACEAE.
FLOW. PL. AFR.
Pl. 84.
J. Fleischmann del.
Apodytes dimidiata E. Mey.
A Flowering branch. B Flower cut lengthwise. C Fruit. D Fruit cut lengthwise.
SUBORDER ICACININEAE
FAMILY 132. ICACINACEAE
Trees or shrubs. Leaves entire toothed or lobed, without stipules. Flowers regular, 4-5-merous. Stamens as many as the petals or perianth-segments and alternate with them. Anthers opening by 2 longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 1-celled. Ovules 2, pendulous, inverted, with dorsal raphe. Style 1 or 0. Fruit a drupe. Seed 1, with a thin testa, without an aril.—Genera 19, species 90. Tropical and South Africa. (Under OLACINEAE.) (Plate 84.)
1. Pericarp warty or spiny on the inner face. Embryo equalling the albumen.
Climbing or twining shrubs. Leafstalk terete. [Tribe PHYTOCRENEAE.] 2
Pericarp smooth or wrinkled on the inside. Leaves entire. 7
2. Perianth simple, 3-5-parted. Stigma sessile. Leaves palminerved. 3
Perianth, at least in the female flowers, consisting of a sometimes very
small calyx and a corolla of united petals. Leaves penninerved. 5
3. Flowers solitary or in pairs in the axils of the leaves, hermaphrodite. Stem
tuberous, with slightly twining branches. Leaves undivided, wavy at the
margin.—Species 1. East Africa (Somaliland). Trematosperma Urban
Flowers in heads or spikes, dioecious. 4
4. Flowers in heads arranged in spikes or panicles. Perianth of the male
flowers 3-lobed.—Species 3. West Africa. Polycephalium Engl.
Flowers in spikes. Perianth usually 4-parted.—Species 15. Tropical
and South Africa. Pyrenacantha Hook.
5. Calyx minute. Corolla not enlarged in the fruit. Flowers in spikes
arising from the lower part of the stem. Leaves oval.—Species 1.
Madagascar. Endacanthus Baill.
Calyx distinctly developed, at least in the female flowers. Corolla enlarged
in the fruit. 6
6. Calyx of the male flowers 5-toothed. Petals 5. Filaments rather long.
Anthers linear. Flowers in spikes at the nodes of the older branches.
Leaves lanceolate.—Species 1. West Africa (Cameroons). Stachyanthus Engl.
Calyx of the male flowers indistinct or wanting. Petals 4. Filaments
short. Anthers ovate. Flowers in spikes or heads. Species 7.
West Africa. Chlamydocarya Baill.
7. (1.) Flowers dioecious, with a corolla of united petals, with or without a
calyx. Stamens with flat filaments; anthers opening inwards. Embryo
nearly equalling the albumen. Climbing shrubs, usually with tendrils.
Leaves opposite. Flowers in panicles.—Species 6. Tropics. [Tribe
IODEAE.] Iodes Blume
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, rarely unisexual, but then with a
calyx and a corolla of free petals, or without a corolla, and the anthers
opening outwards. Embryo usually much shorter than the albumen.
Trees or erect, rarely climbing shrubs; in the latter case leaves alternate
or flowers in spikes. [Tribe ICACINEAE.] 8
8. Flowers unisexual, dioecious. Calyx 5-partite. Petals minute and free,
or wanting. Anthers turned outwards. Ovary with a ring-shaped
appendage at the top. Trees. Leaves alternate. Flowers in panicles.—Species
2. Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Grisollea Baill.
Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous. Perianth consisting of a calyx
and a corolla. 9
9. Petals free. Sepals usually united high up. 10
Petals more or less united. Sepals usually united at the base only. 14
10. Embryo nearly as long as the albumen. 11
Embryo much shorter than the albumen. 12
11. Petals bearded within. Disc present. Style long; stigma small or shield-shaped.
Fruit with a crusty endocarp. Embryo with flat cotyledons.
Shrubs with ascending or somewhat twining branches.—Species 7.
Tropics. Some have edible fruits or seeds. Icacina Juss.
Petals not bearded within. Disc absent. Fruit with a woody endocarp
and a fleshy mesocarp. Embryo with folded cotyledons. Climbing
shrubs.—Species 2. Equatorial West Africa. The fruits and seeds are
eaten and used medicinally. Lavigeria Pierre
12. Stem climbing. Flowers in spikes. Petals hairy outside. Disc present.
Ovary without swellings. Style terminal; stigma slightly lobed.—Species
6. Tropics. Desmostachys Planch. & Miers
Stem erect, tree-like. Flowers in fascicles or panicles. Ovary with 2
swellings. Style lateral. 13
13. Flowers in axillary fascicles. Filaments broadened below. Ovary usually
with two narrow swellings at the top.—Species 12. Central Africa.
(Under Apodytes Mey.) Rhaphiostyles Planch.
Flowers in terminal panicles. Filaments awl-shaped. Ovary with two
broad swellings on the ventral face.—Species 10. Tropical and South
Africa. Several species yield timber or edible fruits. (Plate 84.) Apodytes E. Mey.
14. Petals united at the base or nearly to the middle. 15
Petals united beyond the middle. 16
15. Petals imbricate in the bud. Style short. Leaves opposite. Flowers in
repeatedly forked cymes.—Species 4. South Africa and Madagascar. Cassinopsis Sond.
Petals valvate in the bud. Style long. Leaves alternate. Flowers in
few-flowered fascicles or panicles.—Species 9. Central Africa. (Including
Alsodeiidium Engl.) Alsodeiopsis Oliv.
16. Petals imbricate in the bud. Sepals and stamens unequal. Disc indistinct.
Stigma sessile. Leaves opposite, elliptical. Flowers in
panicles.—Species 1. Madagascar. Tridianisia Baill.
Petals valvate in the bud. 17
17. Petals bent backwards at the tip. Disc thick. Style short. Leaves
opposite, lanceolate. Flowers in few-flowered axillary cymes.—Species
1. West Africa (Congo). Acrocoelium Baill.
Petals bent inwards at the tip. Disc absent. Leaves alternate. 18
18. Sepals united at the base only. Filaments adnate to the corolla-tube
throughout their whole length, without appendages. Style long,
filiform. Ovary and fruit without a swelling.—Species 5. Tropics. Leptaulus Benth.
Sepals united high up. Filaments free from the corolla, with two tufts
of hairs at the apex. Style short, conical. Ovary and fruit with a
lateral swelling. Flowers in head-like cymes.—Species 1. West
Africa. Lasianthera Beauv.
SUBORDER SAPINDINEAE
FAMILY 133. ACERACEAE
Trees or shrubs. Leaves opposite, palmately lobed, without stipules. Flowers in terminal corymbs, regular, polygamous. Sepals 5, free. Petals 5, free. Stamens 8, very rarely 4 or 12, perigynous, inserted on the inner edge of the thick disc. Filaments free. Ovary superior, 2-lobed and 2-celled, with 2 ovules in each cell. Styles 2 or a single style with 2 branches or stigmas. Fruit winged, splitting into 2 mericarps. Seeds exalbuminous. (Under SAPINDACEAE.)
Genus 1, species 4. North-west Africa. They yield timber, tanning bark,
and sugar, and serve as ornamental plants. “Maple.” Acer L.
FAMILY 134. SAPINDACEAE
Trees or shrubs, rarely (Cardiospermum) herbs or undershrubs. Leaves alternate, usually compound. Flowers in racemes or panicles, rarely solitary or in clusters, polygamous, rarely unisexual. Petals 4-5, mostly with a scale on the inner face, or absent. Stamens 4-24, usually 8, inserted within the disc, rarely upon it; sometimes disc indistinct. Anthers opening inwards by 2 longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, 2-8-, usually 3-celled, sometimes not quite completely septate or with a single fertile cell, frequently lobed. Ovules 1-2, rarely (Cossignia) 3 in each ovary-cell, curved. Style 1, undivided, rarely cleft. Seeds exalbuminous; embryo usually curved.—Genera 51, species 200. (Including DIDIEREACEAE.) (Plate 85.)
1. Ovary with 1 fertile cell and sometimes 2 sterile ones. Ovule 1. Style
3-4-cleft. Stamens 8-10, inserted on the edge of the ring-shaped
disc. Petals 4. Sepals 2. Flowers dioecious. Leaves undivided,
deciduous. Spiny trees.—Species 6. Madagascar. Some species
yield timber. (Including Alluaudia Drake). [Tribe DIDIEREAE.] Didierea Baill.
Ovary with 2-8 fertile cells. Stamens inserted within the disc, rarely
upon it (Pistaciopsis) or no distinct disc present (Dodonaea); in both
these cases petals wanting. 2
2. Ovule 1 in each cell of the ovary. 3
Ovules 2, very rarely 3, in each cell of the ovary. 45
3. Ovule pendulous. Ovary 2-celled. Style undivided, with 2 decurrent
stigmatic lines at the apex. Stamens 5. Disc regular. Petals 5,
small. Sepals 5, slightly imbricate in bud. Fruit succulent, indehiscent.
Seeds without an aril. Embryo with pinnately cut cotyledons. Branches
and leaves with a resinous coating. Leaves equally pinnate, with a
winged rachis.—Species 2. Equatorial East Africa and Madagascar. Filicium Thwait.
Ovule erect or ascending. Stamens usually 8. 4
4. Flowers irregular, with a one-sided disc. Petals 4. 5
Flowers regular or nearly so, with a complete disc. Petals 5 or 0. Leaves
exstipulate, equally pinnate, rarely unequally pinnate (Pistaciopsis)
or simple (Pappea). 14
5. Leaves stipulate, unequally pinnate with 5 leaflets or twice ternate. Herbs
or undershrubs or climbing tendril-bearing shrubs. Petals with a
crested, and hooded scale. Stamens 8. Ovary 3-celled. 6
Leaves exstipulate, simple trifoliolate or equally pinnate. Trees or shrubs
without tendrils. Seeds without an aril. 8
6. Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. Fruit capsular, inflated, with a
membranous rind. Seeds without an aril.—Species 5. Tropical and
South Africa, one species (C. Helicacabum L.) also naturalized in North
Africa. They yield fodder, vegetables, oil, and medicaments, and
serve also as decorative plants. “Heartseed.” Cardiospermum L.
Stem woody, climbing, bearing tendrils. Fruit capsular, not inflated,
with a leathery or woody rind, or separating into mericarps. Seeds with
a more or less distinct aril. 7
7. Leaves twice ternate. Fruit 3-winged below, separating into 3 nutlets.—Species
1. Madagascar. Serjania Schum.
Leaves pinnate. Fruit wingless, capsular.—Species 1. Tropics. Poisonous
and yielding fibres and medicaments. Paullinia L.
8. Leaves simple or trifoliolate. Sepals 4, broadly imbricate in bud. Petals
with a crestless, notched or 2-parted scale. Stamens 8. Ovary deeply
lobed. Fruit of 1-3 drupes.—Species 50. Tropical and South
Africa. Some species yield timber, edible fruits, and medicaments.
(Under Schmidelia L.) Allophyllus L.
Leaves abruptly pinnate. Sepals 5. 9
9. Sepals free, broadly imbricate in bud. Petals with a notched scale. Stamens
8. Fruit separating into 3 mericarps. Seed-coat hard.—Species
3. Naturalized in the Mascarenes and Seychelles. The wood and the
fruits (soap-berries) are used; the latter afford a substitute for soap,
mucilage, oil, poison, and medicaments; the seeds serve as ornaments
and for making buttons and rosaries. (Including Dittelasma Hook.) Sapindus L.
Sepals more or less united, narrowly imbricate or valvate in bud. Fruit
furrowed or lobed, indehiscent. 10
10. Calyx shortly bell- or top-shaped; sepals united at the base only. Petals
with a 2-crested scale. Stamens 6-8. Pericarp crustaceous or leathery. 11
Calyx deeply urn-shaped or almost globular; sepals united high up.
Pericarp more or less fleshy. 12
11. Disc obliquely cupular. Ovary 2-celled. Sepals imbricate in bud. Petals
with a very broad scale. Shrubs. Leaflets 10.—Species 1. Madagascar. Plagioscyphus Radlk.
Disc not cupular. Ovary 3-celled. Leaflets 4-8.—Species 7. West
Africa. (Under Erioglossum Blume) Pancovia Willd.
12. Stamens 12-15. Petals sessile; scale adnate below by the margin,
bearing a short crest. Ovary 6-8-celled. Trees. Leaflets 10-12.—Species
1. West Africa (Cameroons). Glossolepis Gilg
Stamens 6-8. Petals clawed. 13
13. Scales of the petals adnate below by the margins, bearing an incurved
crest; claws elongate. Calyx subglobose, shortly toothed. Ovary
7-celled. Trees. Leaflets numerous.—Species 1. West Africa
(Cameroons). Radlkofera Gilg
Scales of the petals adnate by a ridge, more rarely free. Ovary 3-4-celled,
rarely 7-8-celled, but then petals with a free and crestless scale.
Species 10. West Africa. Some have edible fruits. Chytranthus Hook. fil.
14. (4.) Petals absent. 15
Petals present. 23
15. Sepals 4-6, united at the base only, valvate or almost valvate in bud. 16
Sepals 5, united high up. 19
16. Stamens 4. Ovary 2-celled. Sepals 4. Leaves with 4-6 leaflets.—Species
1. Madagascar. Crossonephelis Baill.
Stamens 5-8. Ovary 3-celled. 17
17. Flowers in racemes or panicles. Sepals 4-5, hairy outside. Stamens
7-8. Seeds without an aril. Leaves with 4-6 leaflets.—Species 2.
Central Africa. Melanodiscus Radlk.
Flowers in clusters. Stamens 5, rarely 6-7, but then seeds with an
aril. 18
18. Stamens inserted inside the disc; filaments short, not exceeding the
calyx; anthers linear. Sepals 5-6, hairy above. Seed 1, with an
aril. Leaves abruptly pinnate, with 4-10 leaflets.—Species 2. East
Africa. Haplocoelum Radlk.
Stamens inserted at the edge of the disc, 5; filaments long, much exceeding
the calyx; anthers oblong or oval. Sepals 5. Leaves with a narrowly
winged rachis.—Species 4. Central Africa. Pistaciopsis Engl.
19. Sepals imbricate in bud, finally slashed. Stamens 8-10, bent twice in the
bud. Ovary 3-celled. Seeds with an aril; embryo almost straight.
Trees. Flowers in axillary racemes or panicles.—Species 2. Central
Africa. Flowers fragrant, used for preparing an aromatic water. Lecaniodiscus Planch.
Sepals valvate in bud. Stamens 8. 20
20. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit indehiscent. Seeds with an aril. 21
Ovary 3-celled. 22
21. Fruit covered with wart-like protuberances. Aril free from the seedcoat.—Species
1 (L. chinensis Sonn.) Cultivated in the tropics
and naturalized in the Mascarene Islands. It yields timber, edible
fruits, and medicaments. (Under Nephelium L. or Euphoria Commers.) Litchi Sonn.
Fruit covered with soft spine-like processes or glabrous. Aril adnate to
the seed-coat.—Species 1 (N. lappaceum L., Rambutan). Cultivated
in the tropics. It yields edible fruits and fat-containing seeds. (Under
Euphoria Comm.) Nephelium L.
22. Fruit dehiscent. Seeds with an aril. Calyx cup-shaped. Flowers in
axillary panicles.—Species 1. Mascarene Islands. Yields timber
(iron-wood), edible fruits, and oily seeds. (Under Nephelium L.) Stadmannia Lam.
Fruit indehiscent. Seeds without an aril. Calyx top-shaped. Flowers
in racemes or panicles springing from the older parts of the stem.—Species
3. Central Africa. Placodiscus Radlk.
23. (14.) Calyx 5-lobed; lobes open or slightly imbricate in bud. Stamens
6-10. 24
Calyx 5-parted. 27
24. Calyx urn-shaped. Petals with a scale adnate by a ridge. Fruit indehiscent,
3-lobed, with a leathery pericarp. Seeds without an aril. Inflorescences
arising from the older branches. Leaves pinnate. (See 13.) Chytranthus Hook. fil.
Calyx cup- or saucer-shaped, small. Petals with a scale adnate by the
margins, or with a free scale, or without a scale. Fruit dehiscent.
Seeds with an aril. 25
25. Petals hairy, without a scale or with the inflexed margins prolonged into
small scales. Ovary lobed. Pericarp leathery. Leaves simple, undivided,
oblong.—Species 4. East and South Africa. They yield
timber, edible fruits, and oily seeds. (Under Sapindus L.) Pappea Eckl. & Zeyh.
Petals with a free scale or with a scale adnate by the margins. Leaves
pinnate. 26
26. Petals with a scale adnate by the margins, hence funnel-shaped. Disc
clothing the base of the calyx. Filaments hairy. Fruit 3-angled, almost
glabrous. Inflorescences axillary.—Species 5. Central Africa.
Some yield timber. (Under Blighia Koen.) Phialodiscus Radlk.
Petals with an almost free, notched scale. Disc free. Filaments glabrous.
Fruit almost globose; pericarp crustaceous or woody, hispid on the
outside, woolly within.—Species 3. West Africa. Yielding timber. Eriocoelum Hook. fil.
27. (23.) Sepals narrowly imbricate in bud. 28
Sepals broadly imbricate in bud. 33
28. Stamens 5. Petals hooded, without scales. Disc 5-lobed. Ovary 2-celled.
Fruit indehiscent, with a crustaceous pericarp. Seeds with an
aril. Leaves with numerous leaflets. Inflorescences arising from the
older parts of the stem.—Species 1. Madagascar. Pseudopteris Baill.
Stamens 6-10. 29
29. Stamens 6-7. Petals hairy, with 1-2 scales adnate by their edges.
Ovary 2-celled. Fruit compressed, dehiscent, with a cartilagineous
endocarp. Seeds with an adnate aril. Leaves with 4-11 pairs of
leaflets. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species 3. Central Africa. Aporrhiza Radlk.
Stamens 8-10. 30
30. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit indehiscent. Stamens 8. 31
Ovary 3-celled. Fruit tardily dehiscent. Stamens 8-10. Petals furnished
at the base with a scale adnate at each side. 32
31. Leaflets in 3-4 pairs, toothed, pellucidly dotted, beset with scaly glands
when young. Fruit 2-lobed, with a fleshy pericarp. Seeds without an
aril.—Species 1. South Africa (Cape Colony). (Under Sapindus L.) Smelophyllum Radlk.
Leaflets in 5 pairs, entire, beset with stellate hairs. Fruit with a crustaceous
pericarp. Seeds with a free aril.—Species 1 (E. Longana
Lam.). Cultivated in the tropics and in Egypt and naturalized in the
Mascarene Islands. Yields timber and edible fruits. (Under Nephelium
L.) Euphoria Commers.
32. Petals saccate at the base. Stamens 8, rarely 10. Fruit large, bluntly
3-angled. Seeds enveloped at the base by an adnate aril.—Species
3. West Africa. The aril is poisonous when unripe or over-ripe, but
edible when ripe, and used for preparing oil and medicaments; from the
fragrant flowers an aromatic liquid is prepared. “Akee-tree.” (Under
Cupania L.) Blighia Koen.
Petals funnel-shaped. Stamens 10. Seeds enclosed in the fleshy testa.
Leaflets in 4-6 pairs, toothed.—Species 3. West Africa. Lychnodiseus Radlk.
33. (27.) Stamens 5. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit compressed, dehiscent, with
a spongey pericarp. Seeds with a free aril.—Species 1. Madagascar. Tinopsis Radlk.
Stamens 8-24. 34
34. Stamens 8. 35
Stamens 10-24. Seeds without an aril. 42
35. Leaves twice pinnate. Petals small. Fruit 1-celled, indehiscent, with
a crustaceous pericarp. Seeds with a membranous aril and a crustaceous
testa.—Species 10. Madagascar and East Africa. Macphersonia Blume
Leaves once pinnate. 36
36. Petals with 1 scale. Seeds without an aril; testa membranous, leathery,
or crustaceous. 37
Petals with 2 scales, usually formed by the inflexion of their edges, rarely
(Molinaea) without scales. Seeds with an aril, rarely (Sapindus) without,
but then with a bony testa. 38
37. Leaflets prickly toothed, in several pairs. Stem shrubby. Inflorescences
springing from the older parts of the stem. Petals with a hooded scale.
Disc cup-shaped, crenate.—Species 1. Madagascar. Cotylodiscus Radlk.
Leaflets entire. Stem tree-like. Fruit lobed. 38
38. Leaflets in 2 pairs. Fruit drupaceous, not separating into mericarps.
Seeds with a thin testa; embryo nearly straight.—Species 1 (A.
senegalensis Radlk.). Central Africa. It yields timber and edible
fruits which are also used as a substitute for soap; the seeds are poisonous.
(Under Sapindus L.) Aphania Blume
Leaflets in 3 or more pairs. Fruit separating into 2-3 berry-like mericarps.
Seeds with a leathery testa.—Species 20. Tropical and
South Africa. Some have edible fruits. (Plate 85.) Deinbollia Schum. & Thonn.
39. Petals with large scales. Ovary 2-celled. Fruit capsular.—Species 10.
Madagascar. (Under Cupania L., Jagera Blume, or Ratonia DC.). Tina Roem. & Schult.
Petals with small scales or without scales. Ovary 3-celled. 40
40. Petals very small, with 2 linear scales at the base. Filaments bent twice
in the bud. Shrubs. Leaflets in 6-10 pairs.—Species 1. Madagascar. Eriandrostachys Baill.
Petals small or rather large, with the margins bent inwards at the base
or without any appendage. Usually trees. 41
41. Seeds with an aril and a crustaceous testa. Fruit winged, capsular.—Species
8. Madagascar and Mascarenes. Some species yield timber
and medicaments. (Under Cupania L.). Molinaea Comm.
Seeds without an aril; testa bony. Fruit not winged, drupaceous or
separating into mericarps. (See 9.) Sapindus L.
42. (34.) Petals without a scale. Stamens 10. Ovary 3-celled. Fruit capsular,
bristly. Climbing shrubs clothed with rust-coloured hairs.
Leaflets in 3-4 pairs, toothed.—Species 1. West Africa. (Under
Cupania L.) Laccodiscus Radlk.
Petals with a scale. Trees or erect shrubs. 43
43. Ovary entire. Stamens 10-12. Leaves without glands.—Species 1.
East Africa. (Under Deinbollia Schum. & Thonn.) Camptolepis Radlk.