Category:Lecythis

Lec"y*this, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. 3 an oil flask.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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. L. Ollaria produces the monkey-pots, its capsules. Its bark separates into thin sheets, like paper, used by the natives for cigarette wrappers.