DIV. n 



ANGIOSPERMAE 



623 



fruits provide black pepper, while white pepper is obtained from the ripe fruits 

 after removal of the outer layers of the pericarp. 



OFFICIAL. Piper Betle, Piper nigrum and Piper cubeba (Fig. 620). The latter 

 is a native of Java and is distinguished by the stilk-like base of the fruit from 

 that of the Black Pepper. It provides CUBEBAE FRUCTUS. 



The orders 8-10 constitute parallel series leading from the simplest 

 flowers to the Dialypetalae, but are not directly connected with one 

 another. 



Order 8. Hamamelidinae 



This includes the two Families Hamamelidaceae and Platanaceae. Woody 

 plants, with stipulate leaves. Flowers as a rule inconspicuous, without perianth 

 and anemophilous. !onspicuous, entomophilous, flowers with a simple, or more 

 rarely double, perianth also occur. Two carpels. 



OFFICIAL. STYRAX PRAEPARATUS from Liquidambar orientalis. HAMAMELIDIS 

 CORTEX and FOLIA from Hamamelis virginiana. 



Platanns orientalis and P. occidentalis are commonly planted as shade trees by 

 the sides of streets. 



Order 9. Trieoeeae ( 20 ) 



Family Euphorbiaeeae. The plants belonging to the Euphor- 

 biaceae are of very diverse habit. The order includes herbs, shrubs, 

 leafless succulent 

 plants, trees with nor- 

 mal foliage, and others m v^ 

 with scale leaves and ifc-II 

 assimilating phyllo- 

 clades. The plants 

 agree, however, in pos- 

 sessing unisexual, acti- 



Fio. 621. Ovule of Euphorbia 

 dioica showing the obtur- 

 ator o. (After PAX in 

 ENGLER-PRAXTL.) 



FIG. 622. Mercurialls annua ( nat. size). Mile plant in 

 flower and single male flower. Portion of a female plant, 

 single female flower and fruit. Poiso.voi'S. 



nomorphic flowers, with a simple perianth or with no trace of the 

 latter. Androecium diplostemonous or stamens numerous. The 

 female flowers are especially characterised by the superior, trilocular 



