Panax (panaks)

[NL. (Linnæus, 1753), cea.] A genus of plants of the order Araliaceæ, type of the series Panaceæ, characterized by the two-celled ovary, pedicels jointed under the flower, usually panicled or racemed umbels, and obliquely decurrent stigmas. There are about 30 species, natives of tropical Asia and Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands. They are shrubs or trees, usually smooth and bearing radiately or pinnately compound leaves and small flowers in compound umbels. P. sam bucifolius, a tree or tall shrub of Australia, is called moun tain or elderberry-ash. See fishbone -tree, lancewood, and ivy-tree. See also ginseng, formerly cla ed as Panax.