amyris

[Lat. myrrh a and myrrh is; Gr. μυῤῥίς (murrhis) = a plant, Myrrhis odorata.] The typical genus of the Amyridaceæ, or Amyrid order of plants. It has a finely smelling resinous gum. A. Gileadensis produces the celebrated Balm of Gilead. [BALM.] The A. toxifera is said to be poisonous. The A. Plumier i and the A. hexandra furnish part of the Gum Elemi of commerce. The wood of A. balsam if era in Jamaica yields one kind of Lignum Rhodium. The layers of the liber of a species belonging to the same genus are employed by the Nubian Mohammedans for paper. ( Lindley: Veg. Kingd., p. 460.) *a-mys', adv. Old spelling of AMISS.