208 SALICINE^E. 



celled, opening lengthwise. Ovarium superior, one- 

 celled, ovule solitary and erect ; stigma sessile, slightly 

 hispid. Fruit somewhat fleshy, indehiscent, one-celled 

 and seeded. Seed subglpbose and erect, the albumen car- 

 tilaginous, " and the small monocotyledonous embryo is 

 remote from the hilurn, and enclosed within its persis- 

 tent vitellus." 



Herbaceous or shrubby, with exstipulate alternate 

 leaves, and flowers mostly sessile. 



Geographical Relations. Essentially tropical plants. 

 Properties. Aromatic and stimulating. 



Officinal Plants. 



Piper cubeba. 



longum. 



nigrum. 



48. SALICINE2E. 



Flowers monoecious or dioecious. Stamens 2-24, free 

 or united ; anthers erect, two-celled. Ovarium su- 

 perior, 1-2-celled, many-ovuled ; placenta parietal. 

 Style one, sometimes wanting ; stigmas two. Fruit a 

 coriaceous capsule, 1-2-celled and 2-valved, many 

 seeded. Seeds fixed near the base of the cell, hairy ; 

 albumen wanting, the radicle inferior. 



Trees or shrubs with simple, stipulate, alternate leaves, 

 and an amentaceous inflorescence. 



Geographical Relations. Most abundant in the tem- 

 perate zones, though a few extend towards the tropics. 



Properties. Astringent, tonic. 



