The flowers are _regular_, gamopetalous, typically diplostemonous,
with the same number throughout all 5 whorls, thus: Sn, Pn, An + n,
Gn, where n most frequently =5 (4–6), rarely 3, 7 or 8. Of the two
whorls of stamens the one opposite the sepals is often present only
as rudiments or is entirely suppressed, and the completely developed
_stamens are thus placed opposite the petals_. The carpels are
generally placed opposite the sepals. The _ovary is multilocular_ with
the ovules attached in the inner angles. The fruit is most frequently
a _berry_. The seeds are large, generally solitary, or a few in each
loculus.--All plants belonging to this family are _trees_ or shrubs
with _scattered_, _single_, _most frequently entire_, _penninerved_ and
_leathery_ leaves without stipules; the majority are tropical (America,
Asia), some are found in N. Am. and the Mediterranean.
Order 1. =Sapotaceæ.= Plants with latex; anthers extrorse, 1
_erect_ ovule in each loculus; fruit a berry; the seeds with
bony, shiny brown testa have a large, lateral hilum. The leaves
are frequently covered with silky hairs.--A useful order in
several respects (400 tropical species). The wood of some
genera, such as _Sideroxylon_ (Iron wood) and _Bumelia_, is as
hard as iron. The latex of _Palaquium_ (_P. oblongifolium_, _P.
gutta_, and other species), _Mimusops_ and _Payena_ (Sumatra,
E. Ind.), is the raw material of _gutta percha_. The following
have very delicious fruits: _Lucuma mammosa_, _Achras sapota_,
_Chrysophyllum cainito_ (Star-apple), etc. The seeds of _Bassia_
(E. Ind.) contain a large quantity of a fatty oil. _Isonandra_,
_Mimusops schimperi_ are often found in the Egyptian royal tombs.
Order 2. =Ebenaceæ.= Plants without latex, often diœcious;
flowers with a more or less leathery perianth. The number of
stamens is sometimes increased (by splitting?); ovules 1–2,
_pendulous_ in each loculus. Fruit a berry.--250 species;
chiefly tropical. Some are well known on account of their
hard and black-coloured heart-wood, _e.g._ _Maba ebenus_ (the
Moluccas) and _Diospyros ebenum_ (Ebony-wood, from Tropical
Asia) and others.--The fruits are edible _e.g._ of _Diospyros
lotus_ (Date-plum, Asia), which is also cultivated as an
ornamental shrub, together with several other species.
Order 3. =Styracaceæ.= The flower is more or less _epigynous_,
and the corolla is almost _polypetalous_. The stamens (by
splitting?) are more than double the number of the petals, and
often united at the base. Stellate hairs are frequent.--235
species; Tropical Asia and America, a few for example in the
East.--OFFICINAL: Gum-benzoin from _Styrax benzoin_ and perhaps
other species (Sumatra and Siam). _Halesia tetraptera_ (N. Am.)
is an ornamental shrub with 4-winged fruits.
[Illustration: FIG. 547.--Diagram of _Primula_.]