LAETIA, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the polyandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking with those of which the order is doubtful. The corolla is pentapetalous, or none; the calyx is pentaphyllous; the fruit unilocular and trigonal; the seeds have a pulpy arillus or coat. There are two species, both natives of America. One of them, the apetala, or gum wood, Dr Wright informs us, is very common in the woodlands and copse of Jamaica, where it rises to a considerable height and thickness. The trunks are smooth and white; the leaves are three inches long, a little serrated, and somewhat hairy. The flamina are yellow, without petals; the fruit is as large as a plum; and when ripe, opens
Lævius opens and shows a number of small seeds in a reddish pulp. Pieces of the trunk or branches, suspended in the heat of the sun, discharge a clear turpentine or balsam, which concretes into a white resin, and which seems to be the same as gum sandarach. Pounce is there made of it; and our author is of opinion, that it might be useful in medicine like other gums of the same nature.