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Order CCLVI. SMILACE^. The Smilax Tribe. 
Essential Character. — Flowers hermaphrodite or dioecious. Calyx and corolla con- 
founded, inferior, 6-parted. Stamens 6, inserted into the perianth near the base ; seldom 
hypogynous. Ovary 3-celled, the cells 1- or many-seeded ; style usually trifid ; stigmas 3. 
I^uit a roundish berry. Albumen between fleshy and cartilaginous ; embryo usually distant 
from the hilum . — Herbaceous plants or under -shrubs, with a tendency to climb. Stems 
woody. Leaves reticulated. 
Affinities. From what I have already said in a previous page, it is 
obvious that Smilaceie, as I understand the order, is very different from that 
of other botanists. For its affinities see Liliacese, and Retosie. 
Geography. Found in small quantities in most parts of the world, espe- 
cially in Asia and N. America. 
Properties. Best known for the diuretic demulcent powers of Smilax 
Sarsaparilla, which also exist in other species of the same genus. Smilax 
aspera is a common substitute in the south of Europe. Smilax China has a 
large fleshy root, the decoction of which is supposed to have virtues equal 
to that of Sarsaparilla in improving the health after the use of Mercury. 
According to the Abbe Rochon, the Chinese often eat it instead of Rice, and 
it contributes to make them lusty. Ainslie, 1 . 70. 
GENERA. 
Smilax, L. 
Ripogonum, Foist. 
Order CCLVII. DIOSCOREACE^. The Yam Tribe. 
UioscoRE^, R. Brown Prodr. 294. (1810); Agardh Aphor. 169. (1823); Ach.Rich. Nouv. 
Elem. 434. (1828). 
Essential Character. — Flowers dicEcious. Calyx and corolla confounded, superior. 
Males : Stamens 6, inserted into the base of the sepals and petals. Females : Ovary 3- 
celled, with 1- or 2-seeded cells; style deeply trifid; stigmas undivided. Fruit leafy, 
compressed, with two of its cells sometimes abortive ; occasionally succulent. Seeds flat, 
compressed; embryo small, near the hilum, lying in a large cavity of cartilaginous albumen, 
— Twining shrubs. Leaves alternate, occasionally opposite, with reticulated veins. Flowers 
small, spiked, with from 1 to 3 bracts each. 
Affinites. According to Brown separable from Smilaceae by the three- 
fold character of inferior ovary, capsular fruit, and albumen having a large 
cavity. Tamus is, however, between the two tribes, agreeing with Smilacesa 
in its baccate, with Dioscoreacese in its inferior fruit. Prodr. 294. 
Geography. Found exclusively in tropical countries of either hemisphere, 
if Tamus be excluded. 
Properties. The yams, so important a food in all tropical countries, 
because of their large, fleshy, mucilaginous, sweetish tubers, are the only 
remarkable plants of the order. 
GENERA. 
Tamus, L. Testudinaria, Salisb. Dioscorea, L. 
Tamnus, Juss. Rajania, L. Ubium, Rumf. 
