Men-i-sper-ma'se-e. L. Menisperm-um + aceae, fr. Gr.

the moon, +

a seed - i. e., fruit (seed) kidney- or crescent-shaped. Shrubs, woody climbers, herbaceous vines; leaves exstipulate, alternate; flowers dioecious; sepals 4-12; petals 6, similar, usually in 2 rows, imbricate; stamens mostly 6; fruit drupe, superior; species very heteromorphous; embryo horseshoe-shape; albumin scanty; tropics; bitter, narcotic, tonic, poisonous. Genus: 1. Jateorhiza.

Fig. 130. - Berberis vulgaris (canadensis).