»:i.] MENISPERMACE^. 153 



5. Natural Order, MetiisJ>ermaccce. — The Moonseed Family. 



Climbing or twining shrubs with alternate leaves, and 

 very small dioecious flowers. Stamens definite, often mon- 

 adelphous. Carpels usually three. 



Fig. ioi. Tinospora cordifolia ; the lower figure with young achenes (reduced' 



Type — 2mosJ>ora cordifolia. 



A common straggling, woody, climbing or twining plant, 

 with corky, warted bark, alternate., petiolate, cordate leaves, 

 and axillary racemes of small, yellow, dioecious flowers. 



