Cinch on aceæ

pl. (Bot.) An order of plants, alliance Cinchona les. DIAG. Epipetalous stamens, straight anthers bursting longitudinally, and leaves with interpetiolar stipulas. They are trees, shrubs, or herbs, with opposite, simple, entire leaves, and stipules between the leaf-stalks on each side (interpetiolar). The calyx is superior, the corolla regular; the stamens are equal in number to the teeth of the calyx and segments of the corolla, being alternate with the latter; they are attached to the corolla (epipetalous). The ovary is inferior, and 2 or more-celled; the fruit inferior, with one seed, or sometimes more than one. The Cinch on ace a are almost exclusively natives of tropical and warm regions. They yield many valuable medicinal agents, the most important being quinine (see CINCHONA) and ipecacuanha (see CEPHAELIS). They also furnish man with many substances useful in the arts and domestic economy; such as dye-stuffs, tanning agents, edible fruits and seeds, and ornamental woods. The coffee-plant belongs to this extensive order. (See COFFEA.) Most of the plants have beautiful and fragrant flowers, and many have been introduced into our stores. The order includes about 2,550 species, which are grouped into 313 genera. Cinchonaceous, ( sin - ko - na's hus,) a. Of, or pertaining to, cinchona; having the qualities of cinchona. Cinchona les, n . pl . ( Bot . ) An alliance of Epigynous exogen plants. DIAG. Dichlamydeous monopetalous flowers, and a minute embryo lying in a large quantity of albumen. The plants of this important and numerous alliance are grouped into the five orders VACCINE A CEE, COLUMELLIACEE, ČINCH ON ACER, CAPUFOLIACEE, and GALLIACEE, q. v.