LXXXIII. PIPERACEiE 
429 
Flowers 2-sexual. 
Leaves alternate. Spikes with an involucre of large 
bracts . . . . . . . . 1. Houttuynia. 
Leaves whorled. Spikes without an involucre . . 3. Peperomia. 
Flowers 1 -sexual ........ 2. Piper. 
1. HOUTTUYNIA. In honour of Martin Houttuyn, a Dutch 
physician and author of a treatise on timber-trees. — E. Asia, 
California. 
Houttuynia cordata, Thunb. ; FI. Br. Ind. v. 78. A pubescent 
herb ; stems 4-12 in., sometimes more, erect, angular. Leaves 
alternate, stalked, broadly ovate, sometimes cordate, lj.-2J in., 
long-pointed ; base of stalks dilated and sheathing ; stipules long. 
Fig. 137. Peperomia reelexa. 
Spikes stalked, erect, 4 in., with a basal involucre of 4-6 large, 
spreading, white, petal-like bracts. Flowers green, 2-sexual. 
Stamens 3 ; filaments adnate at the base to the ovary. Ovary of 
3 many-ovuled carpels united towards the base ; styles 3, free, 
erect, tips recurved. Fruit globose, consisting of 3 many-seeded 
follicles ; fruiting spike 1-2 in. 
Sutlej valley, below Narkunda, on marshy ground ; June-September.— 
Tropical Himalaya, 1000-5000 ft. — E. Asia. 
