Nectandra
(from nektar, nectar, and aner, andros, a male (stamen); in reference to the three nectariferous barren stamens). SYN. Porostema. ORD. Laurineae. A genus comprising about seventy species of trees, or rarely shrubs, inhabiting tropical America from Brazil and Peru as far as Mexico, the West Indies, and sub-tropical South America. Flowers axillary or terminal, pedunculate. Leaves alternate, scattered or rarely sub-opposite, coriaceous, penniveined; primary veins often, not always, more prominent than in Ocotea. The only species worthy of mention here is N. Rodiaei, the Bibisi-tree or Green-heart of British Guiana. It is a lofty tree, from 60ft. to 70ft. high, and is frequently without branches for the first 50ft. The most valuable part of the tree is its timber, which is imported in large quantities for shipbuilding purposes.