15. Piperaceae.

Herbaceous or shrubby tropical plants, with jointed stems, and flowers, destitute of floral envelopes, arranged in spikes or spicate racemes. The entire order possesses pungent and aromatic properties, due to the presence of volatile oil and resin.


A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.