Order V
MENISPERMEÆ. 1223 Asímina Ad. 1224 Xylópia W.
The order of Menispermeæ consists entirely of twining shrubs with minute flowers. They are extremely dissimilar in habit from the orders which are placed near them, and occupy their present station entirely on account of certain minute but important characters in their fructification. With the exception of Schizandra coccinea none of them are worth cultivating as plants of ornament. The berries of Lardizabála biternáta are sold in the markets of Chile, under the name of Aguilboquil, Guilbogui, or Coguill-Vochi, according to different travellers. The bitter, diuretic, and aperient sorts of Pareira brava, are produced by a species of Menispermum, as is also the famous Columbo root, so much esteemed for its intense bitterness, and for its use in diarrhœa and dysentery. The poisonous drug, called Cocculus indicus in the shops, is the seed of Menispérmum Cócculus. Several Brazilian species of Cócculus are said to possess powerful febrifugal properties. No species of Menispermeæ is found in Europe; they are chiefly natives of tropical America and Asia. species of Menispermeæ is found in Europe; they are chiefly natives of tropical America and Asia. 858 Wendlándia W. 1972 Schizándra W. 2100 Menispérmum D. 2101 Cócculus Dec.
ORDER VI.
BERBERIDEÆ. 2116 Cissámpelos Dec.
With the exception of Bérberis this order does not contain any genus of much interest; most of the others are low, inconspicuous, herbaceous plants; Nandína is an elegant Japanese shrub. The Berberises are all shrubs of much beauty and interest, especially the species with pinnated leaves, which are sometimes called Mahonias. These are all inhabitants either of Europe, Asia, or North and South America; none have ever been seen in Africa or New South Wales. Many of the finest species from Chile and India yet remain to be introduced. The berries of the Berberises are acid and astringent; the latter quality is especially abundant in the stem and bark. 297 Epimédium W. 825 Leóntice W. 826 Caulophyllum Mich. 827 Diphylléia Mich. 829 Bérberis W. 830 Nandína W.