Piperals  are  clearly  indicated  by  their  naked  flowers,  constantly  orthotropal  ovule,
abundant  mealy  albumen,  and  minute  embryo,  which  is  either  external,  or  only  just
within  the  surface  of  it.
Natural  Orders  of  Piperals.
Ca'i'pel solitary.     Ovule  erect.    Emhryo lying  in  vitellus.   Zeauesl  ,q/.    prpp^.ppi.
opposite  or  alternate,  with  or  ivithout  stipules j         *

Carpel  solitary.      Ovule  suspended.    Embryo  naked.    Leaves  \-,qj    rmr.
opposite,  imth  intermediate  stipules   .    .......      1^^'-  ^h^oranthacea.
Carpels  several,  distinct.     Ovule  erect.   Embryo  lying  in  vitellus.  \ -.Qr,    o    tt»  t,  ^   ^

Leaves  alternate,  with  stipules |  iy».  ^aururace^.
Piper  ALES.]


PIPERACE^.
'15


Order  CXCVI.     PIPERACE^.— Pepperworts.
Piperaceffi,  Rich,  in  Humb.  Bonpl.  et  Kunth.  N.  G.  et  Sp.  PL  1.  39.  t.  3.  (1815) ;  Meyer  de  Houtturjnia
atque  Saurureis,  (1827)  ;  Endl.  Gen.  Ixxxi.  ;  Mtisner  Gen.  p.  335  ;  Kunth  in  Linncea,  13.  561  :
Miquel  in  Ann.  Sc.  n.  s.  14.  167 ;  15.  285.  Id.  ;  Systema  Piperacearum,  9,vo.
Diagnosis. — Piperal  Exogens,  with  a  solitary  carpel,  an  erect  ovule,  an  embryo  lying  in
vitellus,  and  opposite  or  alternate  leaves,  with  or  without  stipules.
Shrubs  or  herbaceous  plants.      Stems  articulated.     Leaves  opposite,  verticillate,  or
alternate  in  consequence  of  the  abortion  of  one  of  the  pair  of  leaves  ;  stipules  0,  or  in

I  2


Fig.  CCCLI.
