FAMILIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS 105 
section. The flowers are small and dioecious, borne in clusters, and 
have from 4 to 6 sepals, 6 petals, an equal number of stamens, and from 
3 to many pistils. The fruit is a berry. 
Tn the northern States we have only the common moonseed (Jeni- 
spermum Canadense); this is reinforced in the South by the cupseed 
(Calycocarpum Lyont), a handsome vine with large grape-like fruits ; 
and by the Carolina moonseed (Cebatha Carolina). The family as a 
whole has bitter and narcotic properties, and some plants belonging to 
it are extremely poisonous. The tropical Cissampelos Pareira yields 
the well known tonic, Pareira brava. 
Fig. 89. The dwarf barberry (Berberis nana), one-third natural size. Original. 
Family Magnoliaceae. Magnolia Family. Contains about ten gen- 
era and 70 species, of very wide geographic distribution. All are trees 
or shrubs with alternate, entire leaves, and large flowers having 3 sepals 
and 3 petals, innumerable stamens, and very numerous carpels borne 
on an enlarged base or receptacle, and ripening into one- or two-seeded 
follicles or achenes, still coherent in a mass. The tulip-tree or white 
poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a flower of which is shown in the ac- 
companying figure, is of immense value not only as a timber tree, but 
as an ornamental shade tree when growing singly near a dwelling. The 
native species of Magnolia, while all handsome when in flower, are ex- 
