Fruits not crowded in a cone; pericarp fleshy or leathery outside, bony within. Flowers in usually long, often panicled spikes. Funicle smooth.
Leaves usually crowded at the ends of the branches.—Species 80.
Tropical and South Africa. Some species yield timber, resin used for fumigating, tanning and dyeing materials, food for silk-worms, edible oily seeds, and medicaments; others are used as ornamental plants. Terminalia L.

[FAMILY 180.] MYRTACEAE

Trees or shrubs. Leaves undivided, gland-dotted, without stipules. Flowers regular, 4-5-merous. Calyx with imbricate, open, or closed aestivation. Petals free and imbricate in bud, or united into a hood. Stamens usually numerous. Anthers opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary usually inferior or half-inferior, 2-5-celled, the cells sometimes incomplete at the top. Ovules inverted. Style simple; stigma entire, rarely (Psiloxylon) 3-4-parted. Seeds exalbuminous.—Genera 10, species 85. (Plate 114.)

1. Fruit a capsule or a nut. Embryo straight, with large cotyledons. Trees.
[Subfamily LEPTOSPERMOIDEAE, tribe LEPTOSPERMEAE.] 2
Fruit a berry. Ovary inferior or half-inferior. Stamens numerous.
Leaves opposite. [Subfamily MYRTOIDEAE, tribe MYRTEAE.] 5
2. Calyx entire or nearly so. Petals united into a hood falling off as a whole.
Stamens numerous. Ovary inferior. Leaves of older trees mostly alternate.—Species 3. Cultivated and naturalized in various regions.
They yield timber, bark for tanning, an astringent resin (kino), and an ethereal oil used in perfumery and medicine. [Subtribe
EEUCALYPTINAE.] Eucalyptus L’Hér.
Calyx with 5 lobes. Petals 5, free. 3
3. Stamens numerous. Ovary inferior or half-inferior. Leaves opposite.—Species
1. South Africa. [Tribe METROSIDERINAE.] Metrosideros Banks
Stamens 5-10. Ovary superior. Leaves alternate. 4
4. Stamens 5-8. Stigma 1, entire. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species
2. South Africa. Heteropyxis Harv.
Stamens 10. Stigmas 3-4. Flowers in axillary clusters.—Species 1.
Mascarene Islands. Yields timber. (Fropiera Hook. fil.) Psiloxylon Thouars
5. Embryo with a short radicle and large, fleshy cotyledons. Flowers usually
4-merous. Sepals separate or indistinct. Ovary 2-, rarely 3-celled.
[Subtribe EUGENIINAE.] 6
Embryo with a long, curved radicle and shorter or somewhat longer cotyledons. Flowers usually 5-merous. Petals free. [Subtribe
MYRTINAE.] 8
6. Ovary in the centre of the receptacle. Calyx-tube contrasting distinctly
with the pedicel, not or slightly prolonged above the ovary. Petals free.—Species 40. Tropical and South Africa. Some species yield timber, bark used for tanning, edible fruits, and medicaments. (Including
Chloromyrtus Pierre). (Plate 114.) Eugenia L.
Ovary in the upper part of the receptacle. Calyx-tube gradually narrowed into the pedicel, usually much prolonged above the ovary. 7
7. Petals free, falling singly. Stamens inserted upon a distinct disc. Sepals comparatively large.—Species 8, of which 6 are growing wild in Madagascar and the Mascarenes, the other two cultivated and sometimes naturalized in the tropics. They yield timber, bark used for tanning, spices (cloves from J. caryophyllus Nied.), medicaments, and edible fruits; some are used as ornamental plants. (Including Caryophyllus
L., under Eugenia L.) Jambosa DC.
Petals more or less cohering, usually falling off together. Staminiferous disc none. Sepals usually small.—Species 25. Tropical and South
Africa. They yield timber, tanning and dyeing materials, spices, medicaments, and edible fruits. (Including Acmena DC., under Eugenia
L.) Syzygium Gaertn.
8. Placentas in the upper part of the ovary-cells, bearing 1-6 ovules each.
Ovary 2-celled. Calyx divided already in the bud. Seeds 1-2, with
a membranous coat; embryo spirally twisted, with minute cotyledons.—Species
2. Cultivated and naturalized in the Mascarene Islands. They yield timber, an aromatic oil, spices (allspice), and medicaments, and serve also as ornamental plants. Pimenta Lindl.
Placentas in the middle of the ovary-cells, bearing numerous ovules each.
Ovary completely or incompletely 3-5-, rarely 2-celled. Seeds numerous, with a horny coat; embryo curved, not spiral. 9
9. Calyx already divided into segments in the bud. Ovary and fruit completely or incompletely 2-3-celled. Embryo with rather large cotyledons.—Species
1 (M. communis L., myrtle). North Africa and
Abyssinia, also naturalized in St. Helena. It is used as an ornamental plant and yields tanning bark and an oil employed in perfumery and medicine. Myrtus L.
Calyx closed in the bud, bursting subsequently. Ovary and fruit usually
4-5-celled. Embryo with minute cotyledons.—Species 2. Cultivated in the tropics. They yield timber, bast used for paper-making, tanning and dyeing materials, vegetables, edible fruits (guavas), and medicaments. Psidium L.

[FAMILY 181.] MELASTOMATACEAE

Leaves opposite or whorled, undivided, usually with 3-11 longitudinal nerves, not dotted, without stipules. Flowers regular or nearly so. Petals perigynous or epigynous, free, usually with contorted aestivation. Stamens perigynous or epigynous, twice as many, rarely as many as the petals. Filaments inflexed in the bud. Anthers 2-celled, turned inwards, usually with an enlarged connective and opening at the top by 1-2 pores or short slits. Ovary generally inferior or half-inferior. Ovules numerous. Style simple; stigma entire. Seeds exalbuminous.—Genera 33, species 280. Tropical and South Africa. (Plate 115.)

1. Ovary 1-celled, inferior. Ovules 6-20, inserted upon a free central placenta.
Fruit a berry. Seed 1, large. Calyx entire or 4-lobed. Petals white or blue. Stamens twice as many as the petals. Anthers short, with a posterior appendage, opening in front by two longitudinal slits. Shrubs or trees. Leaves penninerved or obscurely trinerved. [Subfamily
MEMECYLOIDEAE, tribe MEMECYLEAE.] 2
Ovary completely 2- or more-celled. Ovules numerous, inserted upon axile placentas. Seeds numerous, small. [Subfamily MELASTOMATOIDEAE.] 3
2. Connective of the stamens lengthened at the base. Petals reddish. Flowers in terminal fascicles. Stem and inflorescence bristly.—Species 1. East
Africa. Warneckea Gilg
Connective of the stamens not lengthened at the base, but spurred at the back. Petals white or blue. Flowers in axillary inflorescences, more rarely in terminal, many-flowered cymes. Stem and inflorescence glabrous.—Species 60. Tropical and South-east Africa. Some species yield timber, dyes, medicaments, and edible fruits. Memecylon L.
3. Seeds strongly curved or spirally coiled. Fruit usually a membranous,
4-5-valved capsule with a convex, usually bristly summit. Connective of the stamens unappendaged behind, but furnished with two spurs or gibbosities in front, rarely quite unappendaged. Calyx-lobes usually large and alternating with bristles or small teeth. [Tribe
OSBECKIEAE.] 4
Seeds straight or slightly curved, rarely strongly curved, but then fruit bursting irregularly or indehiscent and connective gibbous before and behind. Connective usually appendaged behind, or before and behind. 17
4. Stamens of two kinds, the larger with the connective distinctly lengthened at the base and furnished with two spurs or bosses, the smaller ones with
a not or slightly lengthened connective. Shrubs or trees. 5
Stamens equal in shape, but sometimes unequal in length. 8
5. Connective of the smaller stamens unappendaged, of the larger with two bosses. Calyx-tube glabrous; teeth very short. Fruit with a membranous skin, bursting irregularly. Low shrubs. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species
2. West Africa. Dinophora Benth.
Connective of all stamens provided with 2 spurs or bosses. Calyx-tube usually hairy. Fruit with a membranous skin, but dehiscing in 4-5 valves, or with a leathery or fleshy skin. 6
6. Calyx without accessory teeth. Connective of all stamens lengthened
at the base and provided with 2 awns. Fruit 4-5-valved. Rough-hairy shrubs or trees. Flowers in terminal panicles.—Species 20.
Madagascar. Dichaetanthera Endl.
Calyx with accessory teeth outside the sepals. Connective of the smaller stamens not or scarcely lengthened. 7
7. Fruit bursting irregularly or remaining closed; skin leathery or fleshy.
Flowers 5-7-merous. Shrubs with rough branches and bristly leaves.—Species
1. Seychelles. Melastoma Burm.
Fruit opening by 4-5 valves; skin membranous or leathery. Ovary adnate to the calyx-tube by 4-5 longitudinal partitions. Flowers 4-5-merous.
Hairy, usually bristly herbs, undershrubs or shrubs.—Species
50. Central and South Africa; one species also naturalized in the
Mascarene Islands. An intoxicating drink is prepared from the roots of some species. (Including Argyrella Naud.) (Plate 115.) Dissotis Benth.
8. Connective with two spur-like appendages. Ovary half-inferior. Flowers in terminal cymes or panicles. 9
Connective with two bosses or without any appendage. 12
9. Stamens unequal in length. Connective much lengthened at the base.
Flowers 4-merous. Calyx-lobes broadly rounded. Ovary with 4 bristles at the top. Shrubs.—-Species 1. Equatorial West Africa. Barbeyastrum Cogn.
Stamens equal in length. Connective not or slightly lengthened at the base. 10
10. Connective lengthened at the base. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx-tube pitcher-shaped, glabrous. Calyx-lobes 4, very short. Petals yellow.
Shrubs.—Species 1. Madagascar. Amphorocalyx Bak.
Connective not or scarcely lengthened at the base. Calyx-tube bell-shaped.
Calyx-lobes rather large. Shrubs with pink petals, or herbs. 11
11. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx without accessory teeth. Shrubs. Leaves
5-11-nerved.—Species 2. Madagascar. Dionychia Naud.
Flowers 5-merous. Calyx with 5 bristle-like accessory teeth alternating with the sepals. Herbs. Leaves 3-nerved.—Species 4. Madagascar. Rhodosepala Bak.
12. Calyx with accessory teeth or bristles alternating with the sepals. Stamens equal in length. Ovary with bristles at the top. 13
Calyx without accessory teeth or bristles. Petals red or white. Ovary more or less adnate to the calyx-tube. 15
13. Ovary free. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx-tube glabrous or scantily hairy.
Petals yellow. Connective not lengthened at the base, obscurely tubercled. Erect herbs. Flowers terminal, solitary or ternate.—Species
1. West Africa. Nerophila Naud.
Ovary more or less adnate to the calyx-tube. Calyx-tube usually hairy.
Petals usually red. 14
14. Anthers smooth, oval-oblong. Connective more or less lengthened and provided with two bosses at the base. Herbs. Flowers in cymes.—Species
2. Tropics. (Under Osbeckia L.) Antherotoma Hook. fil.
Anthers with a wavy surface, linear, rarely broader, but then connective not distinctly lengthened at the base.—Species 20. Tropical and South-east
Africa. Some species are used as ornamental or medicinal plants. Osbeckia L.
15. Anthers linear. Connective not or scarcely lengthened at the base, provided with two bosses in front. Stamens usually unequal in length. Calyx-tube bristly. Shrubs.—Species 15. Tropics. Some species yield edible fruits and medicaments. Tristemma Juss.
Anthers ovoid. Connective lengthened at the base, unappendaged. Stamens equal in length. Ovary glabrous at the top. Herbs. Flowers solitary. 16
16. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx-tube hairy. Ovary inferior. Flowers terminal.—Species
1. West Africa. (Under Guyonia Naud.) Afzeliella Gilg
Flowers 5-merous. Calyx-tube glabrous. Ovary half-inferior.—Species
2. West Africa. Guyonia Naud.
17. (3.) Fruit bursting irregularly or remaining closed; skin fleshy or leathery, rarely membranous. Connective furnished with appendages in front and behind, rarely only in front. [Tribe DISSOCHAETEAE.] 18
Fruit opening by 3-6 valves; skin membranous, rarely leathery. Connective usually furnished with appendages only behind. 25
18. Connective with two spurs in front, unappendaged behind. Stamens equal or nearly so. 19
Connective with two spurs or bosses in front and 1-2 behind. Calyx-lobes tooth-shaped, bristle-shaped, or wanting. Flowers in cymes, umbels, or panicles. 20
19. Calyx distinctly 5-lobed. Connective very shortly prolonged at the base.
Fruit a berry. Herbs. Flowers solitary.—Species 1. West Africa
(Cameroons). Tetraphyllaster Gilg
Calyx obscurely lobed. Connective much prolonged at the base. Fruit a capsule with a membranous skin. Shrubs or trees. Flowers in panicles.—Species
5. West Africa. Sakersia Hook. fil.
20. Stamens distinctly unequal, the connective of the longer ones lengthened at the base and furnished with 1 spur behind and 2 in front, that of the shorter ones also with one spur behind but none in front. Flowers 5-merous.
Calyx-tube top- or urn-shaped; lobes short, alternating with accessory teeth. Petals red. Ovary adnate up to the middle. Shrubs. Flowers in terminal, few-flowered cymes.—Species 3. West Africa. Dicellandra Hook. fil.
Stamens equal or nearly so, rarely very unequal, but then the connective of all with 2 appendages in front and usually not lengthened at the base. 21
21. Stamens distinctly unequal. Flowers 4-merous. Calyx-tube constricted above the ovary, saucer-shaped at the top, entire or nearly so. Climbing
shrubs. Lower leaves alternate, upper whorled. Flowers at the base of the stem in many-flowered globose inflorescences, composed of cymes.—Species
1. Equatorial West Africa (Gaboon). Myrianthemum Gilg
Stamens equal or subequal, rarely (Medinilla) distinctly unequal, but then calyx-tube not much constricted and inflorescence not many-flowered and springing from the base of the stem. 22
22. Connective of the stamens lengthened at the base and furnished with a spur in front and a boss behind. Flowers 5-merous. Ovary wholly adnate. Shrubs. Flowers in terminal, few-flowered cymes.—Species 1.
Equatorial West Africa (Cameroons). Preussiella Gilg
Connective with 2 spurs or bosses in front and 1-2 behind. 23
23. Stem woody, shrubby. Flowers in cymes or panicles. Ovary adhering to the calyx-tube entirely or by several dissepiments.—Species 25.
Tropics. Some are used as ornamental or medicinal plants. Medinilla Gaud.
Stem herbaceous or woody at the base only. Leaves opposite; side-nerves nearly perpendicular to the main nerves. Flowers 5-merous, in terminal umbels or panicles. Connective with 2 bosses in front and one behind. 24
24. Flowers in panicles. Petals subacute. Ovary in its lower half adhering to the calyx-tube by dissepiments. Style without scales at the base.
Fruit bursting irregularly. Seeds curved.—Species 1. Central Africa. Phaeoneuron Gilg
Flowers in umbels. Petals acuminate. Ovary adhering to the calyx-tube to above the middle. Style surrounded at the base by 5 scales.—Species
1. East Africa. Orthogoneuron Gilg
25. (17.) Fruit and ovary cylindrical or angled, convex at the top. Stamens equal; connective appendaged behind only, more rarely without any appendage. [Tribe OXYSPOREAE.] 26
Fruit and usually also the ovary angled or winged, broad and flat or concave at the top, rarely (Calvoa) slightly convex, but then the connective appendaged in front or in front and behind. [Tribe SONERILEAE.] 29
26. Stem herbaceous or half-shrubby, erect. Leaves large. Flowers in umbels, large, red, 5-merous. Calyx-tube angled; lobes long. Petals produced into a thread-like point. Connective with a thick spur and two glands. Ovary crowned by 5 scales.—Species 1. East Africa. Petalonema Gilg
Stem shrubby, more rarely half-shrubby, but then decumbent and bearing small leaves. Flowers in cymes or panicles. 27
27. Stem half-shrubby, decumbent. Connective shortly prolonged at the base, tubercled or obscurely spurred behind.—Species 1. Madagascar. Phornothamnus Bak.
Stem shrubby. Connective not prolonged. 28
28. Calyx-limb divided into 4 large lobes without accessory teeth. Connective unappendaged. Ovary adhering below to the calyx-tube by several

MELASTOMATACEAE.

FLOW. PL. AFR.