5o6 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



Fig. 281. Black pepper (Pipsr nigrum), a climbing shrub growing in Botanic Gardens, 

 Port of Spain, Trinidad. The illustration shows the ovate-elliptical leaves, opposite which 

 are the fruiting spikes, which when ripe are of a yellowish-red color. The plant has been 

 introduced into many tropical countries and is not infrequently seen in botanic gardens 

 throughout the civilized world. — Reproduced by permission of The Philadelphia Commercial 

 Museum. 



species of Piper are used in tropical. America similarly to Piper 

 angustifolium. 



The leaves of a number of species of Piper (known as '' betel 



