XXIX. COKIARIACEiE 
107 
XXIX. CORIARIACE^E 
A small Order of doubtful affinity, consisting of a single genus, 
of which the few species are widely distributed. The structure of 
the pistil and fruit resembles that of Phytolacca in some respects. 
CORIARIA. From the Latin coriarius, pertaining to leather ; 
the leaves are used for tanning. — Mediterranean region to China 
and Japan ; New Zealand and the Andes. 
Coriaria nepalensis, Wall. ; FI. Br. Ind. ii. 44. A glabrous 
shrub ; branches 4-angled, arching ; bark red. Leaves opposite, 
nearly sessile, ovate, 1-3 x f-2 in., shortly pointed, entire ; basal 
Fig. 35 . Coriaria nepalensis. 
nerves prominent, curved, 1 or 2 on each side of the midrib. 
Flowers small, 2-sexual, regular, in lateral, clustered racemes 2-6 
in. long. Sepals 5, imbricate, spreading, persistent. Petals 5, green, 
smaller than the sepals at first, soon enlarging and becoming 
fleshy and keeled on the inner face, persistent. Stamens 10, free, 
anthers large, oblong, coral-red, protruding, conspicuous. Carpels 
5, distinct, 1 -celled, whorled round and attached to a short, central 
