lecythis

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CIDE DICTIONARY

lecythis, n. [NL., fr. Gr. 3 an oil flask.].

A genus of gigantic trees, chiefly Brazilian, of the order Myrtaceæ, having woody capsules opening by an apical lid. Lecythis Zabucajo yields the delicious sapucaia nuts. Lecythis Ollaria produces the monkey-pots, its capsules. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers. [1913 Webster]

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