72 



FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Family Piperaceae. Pepper Family. Nine genera and over 1,000 

 species, chiefly of tropical America; a few species of Pejoeromia occur 

 in Florida. They are herbs or shrubs with joined stems, opposite or 

 whorled leaves, and small spicate flowers destitute of perianth. The 

 fruit is a sort of fleshy berry. The plants possess pungent and 



Fig. 58.— The Lizards Tail, Saururus ceriums, showing detached and magnified 



flower and fruit. Original. 



aromatic qualities which are familiar to everyone in the form of pep- 

 per, the product of Piper nigriim. This is a vine reaching a height of 

 twenty or more feet; the condiment is obtained from the ripened and 

 dried fruit. White pepper is made by divesting the fruit of its outer 

 skin before pulverizing. 



