LAURACEAE, Laurel Family

Trees and shrubs; spicy-aromatic; leaves alternate. simple, petioled; flowers small, yellow or greenish-yellow, usually monosporangiate, the carpellate with vestigial stamens, the staminate with vestigial carpel; perianth (here called calyx) regular, of 6 segments; staminate flowers with 9 stamens, the 3 inner ones with glands at base; anthers opening by uplifted lids; carpel 1; fruit a 1-seeded ellipsoid drupe.

Lauraceae