rhagose (ragos)

[ It is unlike the rest of its cohort Celastrales in its valvate calyx-lobes, and resembles the related Ampelidaceæ, or grape family, in its superior ovary and the position of its stamens opposite the petals; it is distinguished by its habit, strongly perigynous stamens, concave petals which are not caducous, larger and valvate sepals, and fruit not berry. It includes about 475 species, cla ed in 5 tribes and 42 genera, widely diffused through warm countries. They are commonly erect trees or shrubs, often thorny, bearing undivided alternate or opposite stipulate leaves, which are often coriaceous and three to five-nerved. The small flowers greenish yellow, commonly in axil lary cymes, which are followed by three-celled capsules or drupes, sometimes edible, sometimes hard and indehis cent. It is often called the buckthorn family, from the common name of Rhamnus, the type genus. See cut under Rhamnus. rhamnaceous (ram-nā'shius), a. [ Rhamnacea.