Parmentiera
(named after A. Parmentier, 1737-1813, a French writer on edible plants). ORD. Bignoniaceoe. A genus comprising about three species of glabrous, stove trees, inhabiting Mexico and Central America. Flowers greenish, large, at the nodes, solitary or few, pedicellate; corolla tube short above the base, incurved at the throat, ample, campanulate; limb subbilabiate. Fruit edible, elongate-fusiform or oblong. Leaves alternate or almost opposite, solitary or fasciculate at the nodes, trifoliolate, or in some cases simple; common petiole often winged. P. cereifera, the only species introduced, requires culture similar to Bignonia (which see). P. cereifera (wax-bearing). Candle-tree. fl. white, large; lobes of corolla emarginate. fr. from 2ft. to 3ft. long, waxy-yellow, hanging down, and much resembling large candles; hence the common name. l. all trifoliolate; leaflets ovate-elliptic or obovate-oblong, acuminated at each end, serrated or entire; common petiole winged. Panama, 1866.