platylophus

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of birds of the family Corvidæ and subfamily Garrulinæ, containing several species of crested jays from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, etc., such as P. galericulatus, P. coronatus, and others.
2. n. A genus of arachnidans.
3. n. A genus of polypetalous plants of the order Saxifrageæ and the tribe Cunonieæ, characterized by the two-celled, two-seeded, and two-valved capsules, the two awl-shaped recurved styles, four or five calyx-lobes, as many smaller petals, and eight or ten stamens, of the length of the petals, and inserted with them on the base of an urn-shaped disk. D. Don, 1830. The only species, P. trifoliatus, the white alder or white ash of Cape Colony,' is a very smooth and handsome tree, casting abundant shade, and bearing multitudes of small white flowers in long-stalked axillary panicles, followed by small white capsules. The coriaceous opposite and stalked leaves are each composed of three toothed and veiny lanceolate leaflets. See alder, 2.