Bignoniaceæ, a tropical order of corollifloral dicotyledons, closely allied to the Scrophulariaceæ (q.v.), from which they may be distinguished by the longitudinal dehiscence of the capsule, and by their winged exalbuminous seeds (see TRUMPET-
FLOWER). They are in many cases noble trees, and some of them afford valuable timber, among which may be named Bignonia leucoxylon, a tree of Jamaica, which is sometimes imported for cabinetmakers, &c. under the name of green or yellow ebony; some Brazilian species (Jacaranda brasiliana) furnish exceedingly hard and beautiful timber. Not a few of them are climbing shrubs (lianas), and the tough shoots of Bignonia kerere are used for wicker-work in Guiana. Bignonia alliacea, a native of the West Indies, is remarkable for its strong alliaceous smell; the leaves of Bignonia Chica afford the red colouring matter called Chica (q.v.).—Some are herbaceous; of these the most important is Sesamum (q.v.).