Herbs, shrubs, and small trees found primarily in the tropics
Scattered arrangement of vascular bundles in stems
Many species aromatic, producing fragrant or spicy smells.
Flowers in clusters with tiny flowers that have no petals at all
Small flowers densely clustered in long spikes.
Lactoridaceae
Saururaceae
Fossil pollen found from middle Eocene (Smith and Stockey 2007)
├Aristolochiaceae
├Lactoridaceae
├Piperaceae
└Saururaceae
Above: Piper
Above: Aristolochia