symplocium

[Mod. Lat. dim in. from Gr. symploke.] [SYMPLOCE.] Bot.: The spore case of a fern. sym-plo-cos, s. [SYMPLOCE.] Bot .: The typical genus of Symplocese (q.v.). Leaves alternate, exstipulate; flowers axillary; calyx half-inferior, three-parted; corolla monopet alous, three to ten-parted, white or scarlet; stamens indefinite; ovary three to five-celled, each cell with four ovules; fruit, a drupe, with three to five cells each, one-seeded. Known species about thirty. The leaves and bark of Symplocos cratægoides yield a yellow dye; its seeds furnish an oil; its bark is considered tonic, and is used in India in ophthalmia. The leaves of S. spicata are also used for dyeing; the bark with indigo to produce different shades of syn 2. Palæobot .: The genus occurs in the London clay of Sheppey, England.