274 



CLASSIFICATION 



Fig. 245. — Piper Bctle (^aw) or Betel Vine 

 II, Enlarged female spike, o, Spike (catkin). 



(Loranthus longiflorus and L. globosus), common on 

 Mango and other trees, and the well-known English 



parasite Mistletoe {Vis- 

 curn). 



Nat. Order 17. Piper- 

 acece. — Shrubs erect, 

 scandent or twining; 

 branches with swollen 

 nodes. Leaves entire^ 

 often oblique. Flowers 

 usually dioecious, in 

 spikes. Perianth o. Sta- 

 mens 2 to 4. Ovary 

 usually i-celled. Fruit a 

 i-seeded berry. Embryo 

 surrounded by both en- 

 dosperm and perisperm. 

 Chiefly tropical. Common plants: pan or Betel 

 Vine (Piper Betle) (fig. 245), a stout climber, culti- 

 vated largely for its leaves, which are used as a mas- 



Fig. 246. — Kabab-chini {Piper caninurn) 

 a, Male catkin, h, Enlarged catkin ^. 



