the African almond: A genus of the monoecia order, belonging to the polygamy class of plants. In the male the corolla is four-parted; there are four stamens inverted in the throat; the style is bifid and abortive: The female has a four-parted corolla, revolved upwards, with four stamens, one pistil with two stigmas; the fruit is a roundish drupa with a globular seed. Of this genus there is but one species, viz. the stellatifolium, which is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. In Europe it seldom grows above eight or nine feet high, but in its native soil is a tree of a middling growth. It rises with an upright stem, which is soft, and full of pith within, and covered with a brown bark. The leaves come out all round the branches at each joint: they are indented at their edges, standing on very short foot-stalks. The flowers are produced towards the end of their shoots, which are of a pale colour inclining to white. This may be propagated, though with difficulty, by layers made in April; but they are often two years before they produce roots strong enough to be taken from the plants. When the branches are laid down, it will be proper to slit them at the point (as is practised in laying carnations), which will promote their taking root. In winter, the plants should have a good greenhouse; but in summer they should be placed abroad in a sheltered situation.