. The families of flowering plants. Plants; Phanerogams. 112 FAMILIES OF FLOWEEING PLANTS flowers are borne in such profusion on the leafless branches, that the swamp at a little distance has a distinctly yellowish cast. The sassa- fras blooms somewhat later, its green twigs and peculiarly shaped leaves rendering it conspicuous at any season of the year. On the Pa- cific coast the California nutmeg (Umbellularia Galifornica) is a hand- some evergreen-leaved tree with plum-like fruit. (See Fig. 94.) In the South several species of Persea occur, a genus represented in the trop- ics by the avocad
. The families of flowering plants. Plants; Phanerogams. 112 FAMILIES OF FLOWEEING PLANTS flowers are borne in such profusion on the leafless branches, that the swamp at a little distance has a distinctly yellowish cast. The sassa- fras blooms somewhat later, its green twigs and peculiarly shaped leaves rendering it conspicuous at any season of the year. On the Pa- cific coast the California nutmeg (Umbellularia Galifornica) is a hand- some evergreen-leaved tree with plum-like fruit. (See Fig. 94.) In the South several species of Persea occur, a genus represented in the trop- ics by the avocado or Alligator pear {P. gratissima). In Europe the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) possesses historical interest from the fact that it furnishes the original "laurel" used to crown the heads of heroes of antiquity. Bay leaves are extensively used as a flavoring herb in soups, stews, etc. In Asia there are two laura- ceous trees of economic inter- est,the cinnamon( CMmamomM»« Zeylanicam) and the camphor {C. Camphora). Recently some experiments in the cultivation of the camphor tree have been made under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture along the southern Atlantic seaboard, with a fair degree of success. In British Guiana occurs the grfienheart {Nectan- dra Bodiaei), which yields an ash-colored bark known as bebeeru; it is used medicinally as a tonic and febrifuge. Another spe- cies of Nectandra grows in south Florida, and is handsome on account of its panicles of creamy-white flowers. Mention should also be made of a peculiar genus (Gassytha), usu- ally classed with this family, although it should be more properly sep- arated as a distinct group. The species are leafless tM'ining parasitic vines. • Family Hernandiaceae. Hernandia Family. Contains 4 genera and about 20 species, natives of tropical regions, and formerly included in the Lauraceae, which they resemble in structure. They possess no especial economic Fig. g6. The y^Woww&t&
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectplants, bookyear1900
